We're thrilled to kick off the new, fall season with Teacher of the Month for September, Angeline Montoya. You can find her teaching kids yoga with us!
I am a mama to 2 beautiful boys, a wife, an herbalist, a yoga teacher and a volunteer in the community. I love to cook, garden, walk in the woods, and travel.
I took my very first yoga class when I was in college. We started in Viparita Karani (legs up the wall pose) and I was hooked! I moved to the Rivertowns in 2010 when I was pregnant with my first son. At the time I was still commuting to the city for pre-natal yoga. Fast forward a few years and I had been on a search for a challenging and sweaty yet spiritual class. I finally made my way to Riverstone and my yoga practice was re-awakened!
I took my 200 hr teacher training with Betsy Kase at Yoga Haven and my kids training with Mayuri Gonzalez at Little Flower Yoga.
I was inspired to teach kids yoga when I saw my son resting in Savasana. It was as if he melted right into the mat/ the earth and he was in his own peaceful world for a few minutes. It was amazing and I only wish I had these tools when I was a kid! I knew I had to share this beautiful gift of yoga to the children all around me! It is so important to take the time to slow down, focus on our breath, move our bodies and connect in a deep way. In my kids classes we sing, make art, play yoga and mindfulness games, practice different breathing techniques, and play with asana. I love to incorporate nature into my classes, whether we are sending out our love to the animals and the trees or smelling freshly picked herbs from the garden, I find its an integral part of connecting with ourselves and the world around us.
Yoga helps me to connect with my body, mind and spirit in a profound and special way. I remember in my early days of yoga, walking out of class and feeling like I was walking on a cloud! Yoga brings me to this place of awareness and consciousness in my mind, a place where I can respond to situations with love and compassion, a place that I feel strong and confident in my body, a place that I can let go of fear and express gratitude.
I hope that students continue to use the wonderful tools we learn in yoga and mindfulness and bring it to their everyday world. That they can remember how to tune in amidst all the outside noise that surrounds us. That they remember that they are loved, strong, capable and confident. That they find their breath in moments of sadness, anger or despair. That they can find love and compassion towards others and most importantly, themselves!
I love hip openers and heart openers- Baddha Konasana - Bound Angle Pose, Eka Pada Rajakapotasana - pigeon, side lunge - Skandasana - are some of my favorites.
I know how to say “I love you” in 8 languages.
I love living in Westchester because we have so many great places to be in nature! However, the buzz and energy of the city is infectious so to maintain balance I practice meditation daily. I get myself in nature, even if its just a quick visit to my garden or a 10 minute walk outside. I drink lovely calming herbal teas, take baths regularly and of course yoga!
Angeline has been practicing yoga for 20 years. She took her first class while studying at college and she immediately fell in love with the practice. She has made yoga a part of her life while exploring different styles and classes including Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Iyengar and Kundalini. Her love of yoga and a heart centered practice drove her to dive deeper and she pursued her 200 hour certification with Betsy Kase at Yoga Haven.
She is the mother of two amazing children who inspired her to share yoga with kids. She trained with Mayuri Gonzalez of Little Flower Yoga in their Kids Yoga and Mindfulness course. Angeline is thrilled to share yoga with little yogis helping them find tools they can use in their everyday life. She is also a clinical herbalist and is often found in the garden or working with plants.