My Yoga Journey
with Geena Lorenzo

Published 5 April 2020

Geena Lorenzo is a yoga instructor and a performer based in Los Angeles, California. In this interview with Ayurooms, she shares her yoga journey and offers us some motivation to practice yoga. 

What does yoga mean to you?

To me, yoga means loving yourself inside and out. It means embracing that inner part of you which is pure and unchanging via bringing more attention and care to the body. ​

​When did you first start practicing yoga and why?

I started learning yoga in college, when some of my professors taught it as part of the curriculum for theatre students. I fell in love with it immediately for how it instantly took me out of my head, and into my body. In these classes, we learned how the breath is intimately tied with the emotions, and thus how connecting the two through practices such as yoga could benefit our acting work.

Yoga has helped shape me... It has gotten me through some of the worst times in my life, when I felt truly lost. Coming to my mat helped me to come back to myself; and it continues to do so. It is the most soothing balm to anxiety. My mind moves very quickly, so yoga helps me stay grounded. It helps move blocked emotions, and transforms them anew.

Were you ever resistant to learn yoga? 

I think I was subconsciously resistant to learning yoga in a way after college because other things in life seemed “more important”. However, I always loved it, and would practice the same sun salutations in my room almost daily. I then began taking classes in LA here and there, and before long, I wanted to take my practice deeper. I knew I had so much more to learn, and was eager to share with others the benefits and tools yoga had and, I knew, would continue to give me.

How has yoga impacted your life?

Yoga has helped shape me into the person I am today in so many ways. It has gotten me through some of the worst times in my life, when I felt truly lost. Coming to my mat helped me to come back to myself; and it continues to do so. It is the most soothing balm to anxiety; my mind moves very quickly, so yoga helps me stay grounded. It helps move blocked emotions, and transforms them anew.

Why should someone practice yoga? ​

Everyone should practice yoga to extend the quality and length of their lives. Yoga is for everyone! All bodies, all walks of life, all ages; it is the only workout that both strengthens and stretches muscles in the deepest possible way; it is the only fitness routine that requires no equipment other than your body and the earth. It will keep you from poor posture and built up pain and tension in the body later in life, so why wait?

What are your favourite asanas and why?

Upward dog is one of my all time favourite asanas simply because of the wonderful feeling of openness it brings in the chest. It’s an endorphin boost for me every time; I love any heart-opening posture.

Chair pose is another classics posture I love, because it helps establish this powerful feeling of opposition; grounding down into the Earth while being lifted up toward the sky.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yoga brings you more tools for life than just physical strength and flexibility; it also makes you mentally stronger and emotionally more flexible and able to take what comes. As within, so without. In the performing arts industry of acting and dance, having these skills is essential. When I am not teaching yoga or performing, I enjoy writing as a favorite medium to express my perspective on this wonderful journey called life.

Follow Geena on Instagram

Geena Lorenzo's inspirational yoga journey teaches us that yoga can help us get through difficult times. COVID-19 is a difficult time for all of us and yoga is a path back to oneself. As they say, "If you can't go outside, go inside." 

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