My Yoga Journey
with Stephanie Spence

Published 22 May 2020

Stephanie Spence is a yoga teacher, best selling author, screenwriter, public speaker, thought leader, and activist based in Coronado, California. In this interview, she shares her yoga journey and motivation for practicing yoga. 

What does yoga mean to you?

Yoga is a lens that enables me to make the healthiest life choices. My lens, before yoga, was through what society taught me, the voices of my parents, the needs of others, the needs of wanting to be a good mother, the culture that I grew up in, and that 99% of that was not serving me. Yoga taught me self-awareness. Self-awareness taught me to trust my own innate wisdom, to love myself, flaws and all, and to operate from a place of kindness, compassion, and love. The lens through which I now make life choices is self. Yoga is my way of being in the moment, present to it all – the messy and complicated and magic of life – to Joy. It’s a level of awareness very close to our source of pure awareness. The pure “I Am” of existence. ​

​When did you first start practicing yoga and why?

I was 19 and always suffering from back pain due to severe spondylolisthesis and scoliosis. Doctors handed me pain medication like candy. Thankfully a friend who was the trainer for the heavyweight boxing champion of the world at that time said to me, “What’s your plan? You can’t take that forever. Have you heard of yoga?” It was 1980 and I was in Texas. I tried it and my pain reduced. The teacher only spoke in Sanskrit. No mirrors, no music. I was hooked. It was instant love. People thought I was in a cult. I didn’t care. No drugs, no pain, and I quickly realized everything in my life was getting better. I’m celebrating my 40th year of practicing this year! 

Were you ever resistant or hesitant to learn yoga? 

No. I’ve learned that pain (physical, emotional, and spiritual) has been one of my greatest teachers. I’m grateful for the pain as I was open to doing anything I could to either learn to live with it or heal it. 

Thankfully all of the amazing benefits beyond the physical aspects of yoga, this deeply profound ancient system of living, is the reason I made yoga the way I live, so much more than the way I move. ​​​

How has yoga impacted your life?

Yoga has been my healthiest lifelong companion. It has fascinated me endlessly by illuminating my flaws, strengths, lessons to be learned and been my friend. It was there during the dark moments of my life and there with me to celebrate the peak moments as well. It was there physically with me through two pregnancies, training for a marathon, and trekking to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and reducing everyday stress while creating, growing and sustaining my own magazine publishing company. Emotionally it has showed me my weaknesses and then eventually taught me to love those parts of myself that are just as perfect as the part that can perform the rock star poses. Spiritually it has shown me that I am light and love and part of the vast and limitless consciousness that we are all a part of.

Why should someone practice yoga? ​

By practicing again and again to stop, breathe, and then reframe / rename / replace a voice that simply is not yours – and teaching you that You are the voice witnessing the voice – You can dwell in the moment, where you recognize that you are whole and perfect as is. In the moment there is peace and joy and vitality. As you dwell in being in the now, connecting breath to movement or being still, there is no holding on to or regret of the past and no fear of the future. Yoga enhances everything else in your life. Everything. ​

​Yoga will teach you that:

“This, too, shall pass: dwell in the peace of the moment by stopping, closing your eyes, and breathing.”

“We are all connected: be kind.”

“I am comfortable in my skin, I know who I am, and I love myself as is.”

“I am fiercely courageous and powerful beyond measure.”

“The longest and most wonderful journey you will ever make is from your head to your heart.”

What are your favourite asanas and why?

Shirshasana (Headstand) – It’s where I’ve learned the most about myself. 

Paschimottanasana (Forward Fold) – It’s where I have experienced a level of spiritual consciousness that is so deep and profound that words alone can’t describe it. 

Wirabhadrasana II (Warrior Pose) – Warrior is in the title of my book for a reason; My book was inspired by my 4,000 mile life-transforming Yoga Road Trip where I rediscovered and redefined my life while interviewing over 100 yoga teachers who share how they also use yoga to live a life of pure potential. When I started my trip I self-described as a lonely warrior. As you travel along with me you see my transformation to a Spiritual Warrior. My book empowers people by illuminating the truth that it’s ok to not have it all figured out. By being positive and sharing thoughts and ideas that they can use now. To see that the universe is made up of interactions that stimulate the energy and growth within a community they are welcome and wanted in. By sharing our stories authentically and teaching it’s ok to make mistakes. By creating an environment that celebrates both successes and failures and that there is a tool – yoga, that will help them do just that for themselves.

Any pose that allows me to enter stillness, daily quiet contemplation, and journaling to reflect and design my moments, and meditation. Even if you sit quietly, close your eyes and feel the energy in your hands or your feet it slows the mind down, the thoughts settle. The physical practice of yoga is my gateway to stillness. Shavasana is where I rest in awareness. All of this combined with the courage to work through my darkest moments is a daily practice. I show up. Every day is different. After almost 40 years of practice the list is long as to specific practices, including chakra work, Tonglen meditation, mudras, pranayama, etc. For me, it took everything, especially my understanding that once I made friends and got interested in how I could grow as a person by moving through uncomfortable and challenging times, issues, poses, and situations (and reflection on how I wanted to show up for myself as my best self) I shifted from reacting to life to designing my life. Accountability is scary at times but powerful! Vulnerability is my superpower. Truth is my sword. I became a spiritual warrior when I embraced my flaws and unique voice. Yoga held me like a loving and wise partner when I simply checked out of my life till I learned how to embrace all aspects of myself and love myself as is.

In addition to the many poses, and using all eight limbs of yoga, I am in awe that yoga taught me the value of the following: Practicing gratitude. Practicing mindful presence. Practicing daily morning journaling combined with yoga – as a way to recognize limiting patterns, thoughts, or behaviors and design my day as my best self to live limitlessly. ​

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I’m very proud that my book Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On And Off Your Mat was recognized and awarded the Nautilus Book Awards. 

Nautilus Book Awards is held in particular high regard for recognizing and promoting outstanding print books that nurture positive change to co-create a Better World.
​
Nautilus Book Awards is an annual accolade of books in the genre of social and environmental justice. Established in the U.S. in 1998, it is considered a "major" book award and has been conferred to prominent authors including The Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra, Barbara Kingsolver, Thich Nhat Hanh, Amy Goodman, Charles, Prince of Wales and Desmund Tutu.

“In the midst of deep changes in our society and the world, these books are sparks to help light our way to a wholeness that is steadily emerging beyond the surface turmoil.” 

You can find more information and reviews of “Yoga Wisdom” here: 

https://tinyurl.com/y9kkk6lb 

or you can connect with me for all things yoga at stephaniespence.com

Stephanie's amazing yoga journey teaches us that yoga is a faithful lifelong companion that brings out the very best in you. It inspires and enables the devoted to realize latent potential and manifest innate gifts. And if one is willing, what begins as a remedy to a health issue can eventually transform into a lifelong passion, spiritual quest and raison d'être. 

​Namaste!

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