Debbie Simon

RYT 500 Yoga Teacher, Staff Manager

• Tell us, when did mind-body first bend you to it's will?  I started as a gym rat.  In high school and college I could be found working out twice per day.  I started teaching fitness...aerobics, kickbox, step you name it. Over time I found something missing in traditional fitness.  In 1999 I discovered Pilates.  No one really knew what it was back then, but I was so interested in what the practice claimed to offer that I wanted to know more.  I started to practice Pilates and fell in love with it!    Fast forward a few years and I discovered  yoga and wondered where it had been all my life.  I suppose I just was not ready for it. 
• Besides your obvious coolness, what makes you qualified to teach?
  I'm not so sure how obvious my coolness is ... but I am a 500hr Registered Yoga Teacher. 
• What other things are you qualified to do (besides train dolphins ... we're all qualified to do that)?  I have a Bachelors of Arts in Mass Communications...so I'm qualified to massively communicate!  Just ask my husband (ed. or, anyone else ... haha, we're just kidding).
• What can we expect to see, hear and do in your classes?  I want people to feel successful in class.  I'm not one to teach a highly advanced class. But I do believe in pushing ourselves a bit physically, mentally and emotionally.  I am a big believer in how the mind and body operate together to help make positive changes in life off the mat.  Yoga is powerful in and of itself.  I try to just be a facilitator to show that the answers are already inside each of us.         
• What pose/move do you dig the most and why? I love a good gentle yoga series.   Yoga does not have to twist you up in knots to be successful.  Pranayam, easy sit, child's pose , savasana and meditation can be a very effective yoga practice.
• If you could push a button and remove a pose/move from history, which one and why?  The wheel pose.  I just don't have the flexibility in my spine yet.  But I will offer it in my class as an option.
• Like, what's your sign man?  Well, I'm not really into signs in the traditional sense.  I'll go with the sign of the times.  (ed. we would have accepted stop sign and sign language too)
• What are 3 things that make you smile real big and cheesy?  (ed. no fart jokes)  1) My husband, 2) My kids, 3) Books
• What is your favorite quote when you're in need of a little inspiration?  "This too shall pass."
• If you could do anything to change the world, what would it be?  Have everyone be content with who they are, get a dog, eat a whole foods diet, walk everyday, get off the computer and TV, (except Star Trek) and sleep when tired. 
• Any other interesting information you would like to share with the nice people reading this here Bio?  Oh plenty, but we'll get to know each other in class.