Today we’d like to introduce you to Selene Abad
Selene, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have practiced yoga my entire adult life. In 2020 I took the plunge into teacher training. It was a magical experience The opportunity to break out of “quarantine” and be in community with a group of women was truly a gift in hard times. I began teaching immediately after graduating the training program, and have been teaching and continuing my education since.
Currently I teach at several Crunch Fitness Locations, Studio 108 Yoga and Healing Center, Flores Street Yoga, as well as offering private lessons at my own MoonVine Yoga Studio in King William.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yoga quite literally saved me when I became seriously ill with Guillain-Barre Syndrome in 2023. The illness caused me to become paralyzed from my shoulders down. I was unable to even wiggle my fingers or toes for weeks. During this time I spent a lot of time in meditation and pranayama (breath-work). This helped keep me calm, and able to handle the extreme pain I was in. After treatment I began the rehabilitation process. I worked with physical therapists to regain strength and control of my body. The fact that I was strong and healthy before getting sick helped my recovery. The therapists often encouraged me to use my yoga practice as part of the rehabilitation process.
I took this entire experience as an opportunity to relearn my yoga practice and deepen it to new levels. Not only did this trail rededicate me to my personal practice, it also brought home how much I can help others by sharing this practice.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In my private lessons I curate each class for the clients individual goals. I work with a wide range of people, from elderly folks, to athletes. In group sessions I try to create creative and challenging sequences paired with breath work and meditation. My goal is to always bring joy to the practice and encourage people to challenge themselves without taking it all too seriously. It’s important to me to share with people that yoga is more than asana (the physical postures). There is also meditation breath work, and ethical principles. All of these together comprise a well rounded yogi.
I also offer Pilates lessons, and currently am acquiring my personal trainer certification to round out my offerings and provide a comprehensive fitness program to my clients.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I love collaborating with other yogis and yoga teachers. I frequently attend classes, and peruse yogic studies. I hope one day to create a gathering where teachers can come together to share their ideas and knowledge with each other in a cooperative setting.
The best way to support me is join me in class! My favorite thing is curating custom classes that incorporate traditional fitness, Pilates and yoga for strong bodies and peaceful minds!
Pricing:
- Private lessons $60/hrly
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.moonvineyoga.com
- Instagram: Moonvineyoga
- Facebook: Moonvineyoga
