Member Mondays: Alice de Young
We’ll be featuring a YS member on the first Monday of every month! This month, meet Alice de Young.
How long have you been a member of Yoga Sanctuary?
I live in Philadelphia, PA. I started attending online classes in early January, 2022
Why did you start taking classes here?
I am a Smith College alum (Class of ‘95, Ada Comstock Scholar; nontraditional age student, I graduated at 30.) It was not easy to be at Smith, and I didn’t feel that I fit in for many reasons; many days I doubted I belonged there at all. But I met a few kind people along the way who encouraged me to stay, and I know they are the reason I made it.
Two of those folks were Lisa Leizman, modern dance teacher at Northampton Center for the Arts, and Ernie Alleva, philosophy professor at Smith. They were so kind and generous to me and to all their students. Lisa’s modern dance class was like therapy. Thirty years later I still listen to her class warmup music when I’m stressed out (Erik Satie, Gymnopédies). Her class was a thoughtful and joyful place. (Ernie’s classes were incredible too!)
I sent Lisa and Ernie a holiday card in 2021. On a subsequent Zoom call, Lisa mentioned she’s teaching yoga – on ZOOM! I signed up for her next class.
What do you love about YS?
I have taken classes with Ellie, Safara, Erin, Lisa, Ellen, Andrea, Alexis and Beth T. I have found them all to bring kindness, encouragement and joy to class. I have taken yoga classes elsewhere. Yoga instructors are typically nice people. But I find the folks at YS to have a deeper thoughtfulness and intention than I’ve found at other studios. Like on the eve of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ellen acknowledged the events of the day and we practiced several variations of warrior pose, with an intention to find peace. It was a beautiful class. They are all beautiful classes.
What’s your favorite class/who’s your favorite teacher at YS?
This is really, really tough question. I love the way Lisa has a theme and relates it to a reading and some lovely music at the end. I love Restorative with Beth T. on Fridays. I work in software development. Friday deliveries can be “hair on fire” day. Beth puts the fire out . Alexis is so caring. I mentioned to her that I have back pain, and she came to the next class with ways to ease the pain. And Ellen–I’m still talking about the War & Peace class months later.
But, I think my most favorite class was the recent special class in Child’s park led by Safara and Lisa. I came up to Northampton from Philly to attend in person. We were by the flower garden. Beautiful blue sky. Sunlight danced through the trees that we were lying under. A lovely breeze rustled through the leaves. And since I usually attend class online, it was the first time I heard the group chant OM together. There was a harmony that was magical. The teachers at YS are a special bunch. I don’t think you can go wrong with any class.
What do you do for fun?
I have always enjoyed photography, and I love to travel. Early in the pandemic I got a drone. The drone was a way to “see the world” without leaving my driveway. I started taking sunrise and sunset photos and sharing with the neighborhood email group. It seemed to bring some joy during the scariest days. I could not resist taking a drone photo after the Child’s Park class.
What’s your favorite hike?
Skinner Park, Summit House. Thirty years ago, Smith College arranged a hike to Summit House on my first “Mountain Day”. It was such a beautiful day; I make a pilgrimage to Summit House any time I’m in Northampton.
What’s your favorite yoga pose?
Cobra; I think it helps my back a lot! (Thanks Alexis! )
Why do you practice yoga?
I started for conditioning and strength building. Now, it is a highlight of my day.
