Peace-Loving Yogis

EDIBLE INDY: There are plenty of yoga options in and around the Circle City—heck, these days people can even take some great classes online … so what is it about Blooming Life Yoga Studio + School that brings people in?
LILLY KESSLER: BLY is a sanctuary and we hold that responsibility with great respect. Our passion and curiosity is in making yoga accessible to all people. We know starting yoga for the first time can be intimidating, and we are a studio that makes the process fun and supportive

Thoughts like “I don’t know what to expect. What if I can’t keep up? What do I wear? Am I doing this correctly?” All of these feelings are normal. But you must begin the journey to change your life. Those first steps represent the essence of the yoga tradition: you have the courage to show up and try something new.

EI: Is there an underlying philosophy in your studio?
LK: We are one of the rare studios in the country which is philosophy-based. The practice of yoga has grown rapidly in the West. This expansion and its focus primarily on the physical practice (asana) has left many wondering … is yoga a workout? Meditation? Something very important is being lost in translation; the history of yoga is not being taught. The why, the who, and the how, is being forgotten. In response to pop-culture yoga, our classes and schools teach this living tradition by honoring and teaching inspirations often based on the vedas; the world’s oldest known and documented texts, which gave rise to most world philosophies and current, major world religions, including Christianity. The Veda’s explore the soul’s worth. Our students LOVE seeing themselves as brothers and sisters for those outside of state and country.

EI: What was it about the ancient practice that brought you in?
LK: Many years ago, I first related to the ancient yogic practices by exploring the yoga sutras, which are basic guidelines on how to live an aligned life of holistic peace. These sutras are the same as the Ten Commandments, which are the same as the Eightfold Path, all from the same birthplace in Buddhism. These connections are truly pathways to peace.

After this connection, I had so many more questions about meditation, Sanskrit, mantras, mudras, deities, and the general history and philosophies of the human tradition that yoga explores. I traveled to India many times to get as close to the source as possible. In this quest I found yoga’s jargon to be incredibly divisive and incomprehensible without context, so I decided to self-study to understand terms through my own experiences. I discovered that everything is relatable in daily living, no matter the culture, so this became my calling.

EI: What about the teacher’s and their level of expertise?
LK: Our diverse teachers represent all ages and backgrounds. We have a staff of 20 with 16 teachers. Our teachers have a wide range of expertise and we encourage each other to continue personal study. Many teachers have been with us since we opened, and many teach with us as graduates from our teacher training. Most of our teachers infuse philosophy within their classes.

I hold my teachers to incredibly high standards personally and professionally, as each person is a representative for the shala and for the yoga tradition. If they are not aligned with BLY’s interconnective peace message or the essence of yoga on or off the mat, they don’t teach with us. Alignment of one’s inner and outer world must be apparent.

There is a massive problem in Indy’s yoga community by teachers and owners exaggerating or lying about certifications and qualifications. BLY’s teachers’ bios are blessedly truthful, as lies and gossip are not a welcomed piece of our shala in any form.

EI: Tell me a little bit about the types of classes you offer … how does BLY cater to a more “skilled” practitioner who’s asanas are advanced, as well as a new student?
LK: Our classes are welcoming to all people. We fully welcome beginners, people with larger bodies, and people that are 40+ years old. The older practitioners get, we no longer find great value in obtaining super advanced yoga postures. When the pose becomes the ”thing” itself it is not yoga. If you are able to put the body into a pretzel position, you should understand the subtle energetics. This is the beauty of simplicity.

We focus on breath work, visualization, dristi, mantra, and other transformational, embodiment tools. Students who have an advanced practice understand the value of traditional poses and are happy to enjoy a solid practice, and are able to modify on their own if they need more challenge than what the teacher is offering. Ultimately, our classes have a mix of beginners and advanced practitioners.
 
EI: What about the concept of “living off the mat” or taking your practice outside the studio. That’s so important. How do you help students realize this aspect?
LK: The literal definition of yoga means union, connection. Blooming Life was founded as a bridge to connect people in our community as we personally explore mind, body, spirit connections on and off the mat.

And giving back to the community and protecting the environment are foundational aspects to any business, and BLY provides practical inspirations. We are a green studio and believe beauty and cleanliness can be obtained without toxins. All paper is recycled or biodegradable, all plastic is biodegradable, and we openly talk about ways to reduce and reuse. We do massive garbage clean-ups along riverbanks and in our neighborhoods.

Over the years, we’ve had many fundraisers. We support the Indy Yoga Movement and have hosted Yoga on the Bricks, a city-wide yoga class, to support them. In the past at Traders Point Creamery, we’ve created Blooming Life Yoga Wellness Fest, a family friendly event that highlighted other artists and small businesses, complete with live music, yoga classes, etc.

Currently, we support organizations for the voiceless, namely working with animals and children. We give to Horse Plus Humane Society monthly. We also actively work with Girls for Success, a school in Costa Rica which we are trying to make self-sufficient. Sally Bassett, a BLY teacher of ours, began this non-profit organization about seven years ago and we travel yearly to visit the girls and their families as a part of an adventure, culture, and yoga retreat.

EI: What about specialty events and or training that you offer?
LK: Blooming Life is a Yoga Alliance leader and a continuing education provider. Our celebrated training includes our holistic 200-hour, advanced 300-hour, Yin Yoga, and Philosophy Series—all certified by Yoga Alliance to guide students in learning, embodying, and understanding traditional yogic concepts in relationships to daily life. Many trainings are purchased programs, but we are homegrown, infusing the expertise of lead teachers trained specifically in Ayurveda and yoga therapy.

Additionally, we offer humanitarian, cultural, and spiritual pilgrimages to Peru, India, and Costa Rica. We will return to Peru in 2021. This special place is where my shamanic teacher lives. I now hold shamanic ceremonies and offer healings. BLY also hosts monthly Saturday Reiki circles that are open to all people in the community to receive and give healing hands.

EI: And on a side note, you’ve written a book about yoga? Is that right?
LK: Yes. This book is my baby. It is my life’s work, thus far. I completed the 500-page textbook, The History & Art of Living Yoga: Humanity’s Quest for Nourishment, to be used in yoga training around the planet. I’ve worked as faculty with other schools locally and abroad, and this book will support these schools and my own. It examines a very vast and esoteric array of perspectives, but I make these topics easy to digest in this beautiful, artful book which examines the evolution of the yoga tradition and how to live yoga daily.

I examine 8,000 years of history and how it’s applicable in daily choices and perspectives; how one tradition or philosophy arose from the examination of other traditions or philosophies. The History & Art of Living Yoga is also a solid support system for lead teachers who are trying to impart these vast and esoteric concepts to their students. Since I taught in public school for 16 years, I understand the process of how people learn, and this book is fully accessible to all. I am now looking for a publisher, but my 150 online students, as well as local students have this book. In 2021 I hope to have an official release party.

Blooming Life Yoga Studio + School offers classes seven days a week in addition to weekend workshops and teacher training. The studio prides itself in being fully committed to all practitioners and welcomes all. Find the entire schedule and more information online: BloomingLifeYoga.com | 30 South Elm St., Zionsville 46077