Feature Teacher: Emily Wiswell
Tell us about yourself and what brought you to the North Shore:
I'm Emily! I am a Boston trained Vinyasa Instructor with my Bachelor of the Arts in Dance. I am from Newburyport, MA. I found my way into a Solstice class when I was bartending over at The Yard House, actually! My manager told me that a heated studio was opening up next door. I was in the middle of my Yoga Teacher Training, and I knew I wanted in!
What/who brought you to yoga?
My friend Alexandra brought me to a Bikram class when I was 17, I believe that was my first class. As a dancer, I saw it as a great addition and compliment to my ballet and modern classes. When I was in college, I began to take it more seriously and began to open up to it spiritually. After college I moved to New York City and dove into the auditioning world. My yoga practice became crucial, and I wanted more.
Why did you want to become a yoga teacher?
I was blessed enough to come from a family of intelligent, spiritual,and artistic women. My grandmother introduced my mother to meditation at a young age, and my mother raised my sister and I on meditation as well. My spirituality: my love for nature, awareness of energies, connection to The Universe/Higher Power is something I have been deeply connected to from a very young age.
When I left New York City, I felt like I had failed. I was rarely dancing, bartending full-time, and pretty darn depressed. I would get out of work around 3 or 4 in the morning and sleep til about 12 or 1 in the afternoon. Most days I didn't get out of bed until my shift started around 5 or 6pm. After time I knew that this was not what I was meant to be doing. I knew I wasn't being of service in any way. I knew that there was a better plan in store for me, and that I had waited long enough.
Yoga Teacher training was the best decision I had ever made. My spiritual roots, love of movement, and knowledge of fitness, anatomy and kinesiology was the perfect combination. It felt so right, it still does!
Why do you teach now?
Love. When I teach, I am giving love. I am receiving love. I am meeting beautiful new souls everyday and get to see them week after week. I get to pass on things that inspire me, hopefully inspiring others. Teaching is incredibly centering and grounding. There is so much room for growth and learning; it never gets old. It is challenging and fun, it keeps me authentic and true to who I really am.
What are some things you grateful for (little things/big thing....anything):
In this moment, off the top of my head: my Mother. my cat (Snugs), the moon outside right now, the beautiful town that I live in and how beautiful it is in the Fall, my support system, that I am able to teach yoga full time, my mat, food that I am excited to cook up tomorrow, and my Dad, who is with me in spirit every minute of everyday.
Fun Facts about you:
- I have fantastic taste in music because everybody in my family is a fantastic musician.
- I am modest. (hehe)
- I am social media spam.
- My favorite flowers are lilacs.
- I have to have my wisdom teeth taken out soon and I'm really scared!
- I lose things more frequently than most normal human beings.
- I like my green juice but I also like beer.
Please share a quote or message that inspires you:
"We are travelers, on a cosmic journey. Stardust. Swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped here for a moment to encounter each other. To meet, to love, to share. This is a precious moment, it is a little parenthesis in eternity." - Deepak Chopra
When do you teach at Solstice?
I teach Tuesday evening Power Hour 7:30 - 8:30 and I'm in the rotation on Sunday mornings 9 am Power Yoga.
