Evalena's Yoga Journey
"Let the beauty we love be what we do." —Rumi
Evalena Leedy. E-RYT-200, YACEP, IAYT.
I am one of the founding partners of YogaSole Studio in Brooklyn, New York. I have been leading the YogaSole community teaching private and group classes since 2008.
I studied traditional hatha yoga with Schuyler Grant of The Kula Yoga Project and completed my initial 200hr Yoga Alliance certified Yoga Teacher Training with Yoga Works. NYC. I became a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) in 2014—as certified yoga therapist I am committed to continuing my education and to the responsible and ethical teaching of the ancient healing art of yoga.
It'a been my great privilege to have taught 1000's of private and group gentle/therapeutic yoga sessions to students of all all ages and body types.
During a very challenging time in my personal life, I began my exploration of the practice while hiking in the rainforest of Costa Rica. The trip was life-changing. I was in search of answers to those big life questions: Who am I? What is my purpose? What is holding me back? Experiencing the profound beauty of nature and the simultaneous joy and suffering of the human condition the answers seemed near. I vowed to begin my quest to find the path to freedom. Almost immediately my teachers appeared and the exploration lead me directly to my yoga mat and to Buddhist Zazen meditation. I have practicing and studying meditation with Shinge Roko Sherry Chayat Roshi and Genno Linda King of the Zen Studies Society since 2010..
I am recognized for my enthusiastic authentic, non-judgmental teaching style and compassion-centered philosophy. Devoting myself to continuous philosophical education from various ancient texts, practices, and meditations, I weave thought-provoking meditations throughout my classes, applying ancient wisdom to our contemporary western world in a useful and understandable way. I encourages the growth of the physical, emotional, and spiritual self, celebrating the interconnectedness to one another, nature to the universe.
Teaching and sharing the practice of yoga is my undeniable passion. Creating and cultivating community is my mission. Giving back is my duty and the heart of the practice.
YogaSole holds many fundraising events for local causes and beyond. I have been serving as a member of the board of directors for the White Hawk Foundation since 2019. Our mission is to conserve and preserve the rainforest on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. YogaSole had raised over $100,000 for organizations like the White Hawk Foundation, the Breast Cancer Research Fund, and many other local charities.
