What’s in a Name?
What’s in a name? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Humble as “reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission.” Further inquiry tells us that the root of this word is humus – the nutrient-rich component of soil. Merriam-Webster’s definition of Heart includes “the central or innermost part of something.”
With this in mind, Humble Hearts Yoga was named to reflect
- humility, like humus, enables vigorous growth;
- the heart center, the core of our being, is home to our sense of self.
About
What’s in a name? Merriam-Webster defines Jeanne as “Joan of Arc” (French: Jeanne d’Arc). However, I am not French. I was named after my father, Gene (aka Eugene), with the same pronunciation. I appreciate being my dad’s namesake; it keeps him close in heart.
That heart has taken me on a life journey with abundant joys and blessings, as well as significant challenges and loss. For many years, I found respite from life stressors in a regular, vigorous exercise routine, but over time that was not enough. I began a regular yoga practice in 2008. I did not yet understand the “how and why,” but I knew yoga was making a difference. I was better able to manage life challenges and stress. After many years of practice in a variety of studios and styles of yoga, I enrolled in yoga teacher training with the hopes of deepening my practice. Here I learned the meaning of yoga – “to still the fluctuations of the mind.” Yoga is more than exercise. Yoga encourages us to strive for mind-body balance and well-being. My regular yoga practice has carried over to life off the mat, reminding me to just be, to breathe, to respect and honor all beings, to remain humble, to let go.
I founded Humble Hearts Yoga as a way of sharing the bountiful benefits of yoga with others. And so, here I am – a humble heart. It would be my honor to lead you in yoga practice.
Our Philosophy
Humble Hearts Yoga believes that yoga is accessible to every body. Can you breathe? Great! Then you can practice yoga!
Yoga utilizes pranayama, breath control, to calm the body and the mind, the heart and the nervous system. Whether a restorative sequence or vinyasa flow, seated or on the mat, focus on the breath is the foundation of our practice. In our practice, we begin with the breath and the postures follow, ultimately seeking sthira sukham asanam, strength and ease as we relax into each pose.
