Inspirational Teacher Spotlight: Angela
All of the strongest people I know are women. All of the kindest, most nurturing people I know are women.
In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, throughout March I’ll be spotlighting fellow women yoga teachers. These ladies have inspired me time and time again, and I’d love to introduce you to them!
First up, we have Angela Albuquerque. She’s had a meditation practice for 24 years, plus a physical practice for 15 years.
I met Angela back in early 2018 while working the front desk at a studio in Las Vegas. The first time I attended one of Angela’s yoga classes was in June of 2018 and I remember thinking about how fun and challenging the vinyasa class was. The music was super upbeat, she was incredibly welcoming to everyone – striking up conversations around the room before class – and I left my mat feeling inspired not only as a teacher but more importantly as a student. I took the class regularly for a short time and over the years have popped into Angela’s Yin and Vinyasa classes whenever I can, as well as her Full Moon Soundbath workshops. Last year I even convinced my mom (who used to be a huge yoga skeptic, now more open to the practice, especially yin) to attend one of Angela’s Soundbath workshops up in the mountains with me.
When I teach, my students often hear me repeat “Breath comes first, these shapes come secondary. If you are holding your breath in order to get into the pose, adjust so that your breath is most important.” I think in Western yoga culture, many teachers get caught up on the asanas, the physical poses, treating the practice like more of a workout, and meditation and pranayama practices fall to the wayside.
I was very happy to see that Angela was not one of those teachers.
Don’t get me wrong – Angela’s classes are challenging, but she makes the creative sequencing accessible for all in attendance while still maintaining focus on a work-in.
One of the most memorable classes with Angela was a 75 minute vinyasa class where she had us focus on tree pose throughout the entire class. Plank pose? Make it tree pose but in plank position. That class was so fun and challenging and inspired me to look at poses in a new light.
How can we move our bodies in familiar and yet new ways?
This idea is something I continue to think about both in my personal practice and as a teacher.
How did Angela find her way to her mat?
Angela shared, “I was a dancer all my life and loved movement of any kind. After my career as a performer ended and I sat down to a desk job in the medical field, I became quite ill for 2 years and movement and my own body actually became my enemy. The idea that my own body and something I loved so much (movement) betrayed me and who I believed I was, created a profound moment in my life to search for answers beyond my identity and physical body. I then started delving into moments of stillness (meditation, yin and restorative yoga) and the beauty and healing powers they create. It was extremely humbling to be still after years of relying on my body and the upward flow it can create, but finding those quiet moments of taking a journey inward changed everything for me!”
“My yoga is ever fluctuating, I try and listen to my body each day. For a while, as my health got better, I started doing more flow classes. But recently, I have been actually shifting more towards yin, meditation and restorative again and feeling like I need to create a little bit more stillness. It has also shifted off my mat and I started mindfully creating safe and healing environments, events, and retreats where other people can receive the same ah-ha moments.”
I have felt welcome and comfortable at every one of Angela’s classes and events. If you’re in Las Vegas, I recommend checking one out for yourself! If you’re not local or you’re looking for a deeper dive, check out the upcoming retreats she’s hosting later this year. I’ve had a few students attend them in the past and have heard nothing but rave reviews.
When asked what advice she would give someone just beginning a yoga practice, Angela said, “Try it all with an open heart and mind!! There are so many different ways to practice yoga on and off the mat, so get out there, explore the landscape of mindfulness practices, and be open to all of them. Even if it was just one thing that brought you onto your mat or cushion, you’ll be surprised at how many different ways it will feed your body, mind, and soul!”
I asked Angela, a fellow shortie like myself, how she allows herself to take up space in a world where women are often made to feel small. She responded, “By being authentic and honest and really hearing the human underneath the actions and words of others. There are some people who will not like that, but the only way to change things are honesty, kindness, empathy, and to get out there and educate people. Teach acceptance, it is the key.”
“We have learned from our experiences along the highway of life and could teach each other sooooo much if we would just accept our outer differences, embrace our uniqueness and most importantly pause in the stillness and really listen to each other’s humanness.” Angela’s authenticity and kindness have always inspired me.
For her, “The most inspiration always comes from those near and dear on this journey. On the mat my teacher, Annie Carpenter, always brings amazing new experiences and wisdom to ideas and traditions that have been around for a long time.” Angela and I both share inspiration and admiration for her mentor here in Vegas, Rachael Sellars.
You can also find Angela recharging her soul and finding new depths of inspiration through “reading, music, sound healing, and especially just getting outside and reconnecting to the beauty of Mother Nature. When I can combine all of the above together it’s absolute Bliss!!”
I hope you have the honor and joy of attending one of Angela’s classes or events. Be prepared to leave feeling inspired, more at ease, and maybe with a few nuggets of self-discovery. One of Angela’s most important self-discoveries on her mat is that “You are not your body! It’s our home and yes, we should take care of it as we live in such a physical world, but there is so much more underneath the physical. If you just get quiet enough to tap into it, really listen and hear, life starts to flow so much more smoothly.” Maybe you’ll also discover this for yourself.
I want to know – who are the women in your life that inspire you? Share down below in the comments!
Now, are you ready for the next yoga teacher feature?
