Conscious Interviews | Caley Alyssa
Tell us how did the different elements of yoga and spirituality come into your life?
Yoga found me. I was living in a new city, and wasn’t connected to the local community in anyway. My ex-husband’s colleague's wife (that’s a mouthful!) invited me to a yoga class at Yoga Tree, SF with Darren Main. After class, I noticed a sign for teacher training on the counter, and so I jumped in head first. Yoga started as a way for me to feel like I belonged to something, and then it grew into something much bigger. I came for the workout, but I inevitably found the work-in. Yoga has guided me through some of the toughest moments of my life, and the further I go, the more I vear towards the spiritual side of yoga, rather than the asana.
When and how did you start meditating, practicing yoga and getting interested in Astrology?
My older sister took me to a few classes in highschool, and I took one Iyengar class in College...but I got really serious about my practice after school, living in San Francisco. I worked full time and did my teacher training in the evenings and weekends. Astrology has always been an interest of mine, but I didn’t start studying it until this past year. I am a NOVICE at best, but I enjoy the opportunity to be new at something. To learn, and to grow.
When did you start teaching?
I started teaching back in San Francisco, 2009.
YOGA NIDRA
What has made you focus so much on Yoga Nidra?
Yoga nidra is unlike any other practice I’ve experienced in my life. I feel connected, clear, purposeful, calm and my best self when I practice my nidra consistently. Not only is it a complete nervous system reset, but it expands my awareness well beyond anything I could have imagined before I began practicing.
How many times a week do you recommend practicing Nidra?
As many as you like/want/need.
ASTROLOGY
You are learning everyday about Astrology. Do you consider it a form of self-development?
Absolutely. I have masted many skills, but the reading and interpretation of the stars and their alignments is something I am brand new at. Knowledge is something I strive for, and wisdom (knowing what to do with that knowledge) is my ultimate goal with Astrology.
People who don’t believe in astrology make fun of those who do by conditioning decisions to astrological procrastination. Do you believe we should condition our decision making to the astrological conditioning in alignment with our birth chart?
I believe we should “do” whatever it is that we believe in. If you don’t believe in astrology, no sweat! It could be as simple as acknowledging that the moon affects the tides of our oceans...and our bodies are 98% water...so the planets must have some impact on us. Always remember there is room for interpretation. A birth chart can be a very good guide for decision making, if you believe in it.
Can you give 3 tips to those interested in deepening their astrology understanding?
- Someone who doesn’t even know what a birth chart is.
A birth chart is a reading of the alignment of the stars at the time of your birth.
- Someone who is aware of their birth chart and signs but doesn't fully understand how it impacts their life.
READ!
The Inner Sky: How to Make Wiser Choices for a More Fulfilling Life, Forrest, Steven
Astrology for Yourself: How to Understand And Interpret Your Own Birth Chart, Demetra George
Explore your birth chart by getting it done. I use the Time Passages Pro App
MEDITATION
It is easy to meditate when things are “smooth”. What would be your biggest advice when things are not as smooth? Maybe someone going through a very challenging phase such as loss or depression?
Think of meditation, like you do brushing you teeth. It’s not always something we want to do, but we do it twice a day because we know it is good for our physical health...preventing illness and disease. Meditation is just like this! We do it, every day (sometimes twice a day) because we know it is good for our mental health...preventing anxiety, unhealthy levels of stress, and breakdown.
INFLUENCER BODY IMAGE
You are a very attractive and successful wellness thought leader, yoga mentor and meditation teacher. For the women out there that would like to become recognised and have a similar work nature to yours and to the many teenagers suffering from mental disorders due to Social Media judgement and social classification.
What would be a tip you’d offer to practitioners interested in growing their business in coaching wellness? Is this something you offer on your mentorship program?
It doesn't matter what anyone else is doing, you just DO YOU. Don’t copy cat what’s already out there...it’s been seen/done before. Just blaze your own trail. Share with your people what makes you unique, different. Maybe it’s the words you speak, maybe it’s the clothes you wear, maybe it’s the music you play, maybe it’s HOW you teach. All that said, I have MANY other tips on how to be successful in the wellness space. And I cover them ALL in my Make Wellthy Moves Mentorship.
What would you tell a mother who has a daughter suffering from social media anxiety? What are some practices you can think of different communities could incorporate to celebrate all kinds of body images?
I’m not a mother...but I do have many young women I’ve worked with and love dearly. To all the mothers out there who are worried about your children and the impact of social media:
Show them love
Show them how to find contentment within themselves, not needing external validation.
Connect them with nature as much as possible.
Get them to meditate.
Help them to see the world outside of social media, and know that it’s not necessary for success. Often times the most successful people are the LEAST showy.
Be humble. Have integrity. Stay true.