theresa murphy
Yoga Therapist, E-RYT 500
I took my first yoga asana class in 1988. Thereafter, attending random classes over the years until establishing a consistent asana (posture) practice in 1993. When I realized practicing the postures of Yoga without the principles is not true practice, I began to study the Yogic texts in 1999.
Fully inspired by all Yoga offers I began to seek out teachers. In 2001 I found Baron Baptiste, and in his week-long teacher training I met Rolf Gates, author and vinyasa instructor. My relationship with Rolf has flowered into a solid friendship of co-learning, growth and respect.
In 2001 I also encountered Tias Little for the first time, he has remained my primary teacher to this day. By 2009, I completed Tias' 200 and 500 hour level teacher training programs and have spent, literally, thousands of hours studying with a choice selection of teachers such as, Erich Schiffman, Adhil Palkhivala, Desire Rumbaugh, Shiva Rea, Bikram Choudhury, Richard Freeman, David Life, Sharon Gannon, and Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, to name a few. 2010 marks the beginning of a 750 hour program with Sarah Powers' Insight Yoga Institute, where the vast majority of study will be mind training, with some Ayurveda, Chinese medicine and asana. I also travel now with both Tias and Rolf assisting them in the USA and abroad.
The name of my yoga studio, One Tree Yoga, (co-owned with the lovely Tippi Denenberg) reflects my own philosophy of "All Encompassing Practice". The narrow vision of fundamentalism will not only be a cold blade of separation in the heart of Yoga, but also feeds the illusion of separateness on this planet. All practices of self reflection, self acceptance and eventual self evolution are honorable. Additionally, I truly believe that no one, single method will be the only way for anyone forever...no matter the practice.