CWDW Interviews...Brittany T. Policastro

I had the pleasure of first meeting Brittany last March. Honestly, she sort of scared me...Because she is awesome and awesome people sometimes scare me because I am afraid of coming off dumb in their presence.

She is a yogi. A writer. A humanitarian. She is also not afraid to wear yellow pants.

Needless to say, she was/is my kind of lady and her awesomeness blew/blows me away.

I thought she'd be a great person to start this series off with since she connects to both Charly Writes and Delightful Writes so well. I also knew she'd have a lot of interesting, important information to share. I was right. Britt did not disappoint. Without further ado...

Brittany T. Policastro

Yoga Teacher. Writer. Spiritual Guide.
Beyond Asana,  Founder & Director
her awesome bio is below

CWDW: You are a writer and yoga teacher too (among other wonderful things)! How do you use both in your every day life, personally and professionally?

Brittany: For me both allow and also require a deep level of creativity that comes from truly trusting my intuition and my own inner guidance. Through both of these avenues my life pulsates with creativity and intuition on a regular basis. As a result, everything else is influenced by these qualities I choose to foster and cultivate by the work I do. I am very grateful to be in a position where my work allows me to grow my consciousness.

I know you are working on helping others align their lifestyles with their purpose, which is great because I know so many people who are working on that themselves and could use some direction. Any first steps you think someone should make in trying to align his/her lifestyle with his/her purpose (assuming the second step is to get in contact with you!)?

Yes, I think this is an important topic, especially for those who are looking to create significant change in this world through offering their skills, hearts and talents. 

First, connecting with this question: "How are you inspired to serve humanity and what are your special talents and gifts that can help you do this?" This is a helpful way to begin to connect with your purpose- something I believe each and every one of us has. 

Second would be to begin to look at your life, your conversations with yourself, your diet, your work, your social activities, your relationships etc. in a witnessing and compassionate way and see if all of these things embody qualities to raise your consciousness, to bring you joy, to inspire and delight you. 

Now if you find things that don't align please don't feel bad, shamed or guilty. This is a beautiful time. You can slowly but surely shift into a space where everything about your life supports your bigger vision. Believe me, I know from first hand experience.

How have you aligned your lifestyle with your purpose?

Well, it was a process. For years I was split between being a yoga teaching humanitarian and the life-of-the-party. My relationships were co-dependent and draining, my mind was very scattered, I relied on my looks to get what I wanted, and I was very insecure. Through a fundraising experience and trip to Cambodia through Off the Mat, my heart broke open and everything began to change. Suddenly I found myself questioning who I was, and feeling incredibly split. Through an auspicious year of healing with a Shamanic Healer/therapist, I began to realize that the life I was living was not in alignment with I was really was or what I really wanted. As a result my friends, my thoughts, my social entertainment and my values changed. My life began to vibrate in a way that fully expressed my deepest passions and needs and I began to attract relationships, friendships and experiences that reminded me of how precious this life is. And as a result I connected with how I am truly meant to serve humanity while I occupy this life. It was all a tremendous blessing but with it I embrace the responsibilities that come with knowing my purpose.

You are working on some awesome new ventures. What are you working on now?

Currently I am writing my first book, a memoir titled: "Rebel in the Ashram: The Path of Tumultuous Transformation." This book delivers an account of my life as a student and teacher of Yoga and a global humanitarian over the past ten years. In it I speak candidly about my own transformations as I found the path of yoga, traveled to various countries doing humanitarian work and discovered my own divine purpose. I am looking forward to reaching more people with this book as I know it is part of my own purpose to write and share it. 

I am also ready to focus my work as a yoga teacher and spiritual guide to empower conscious leaders. It's a challenge to always lead from an authentic and connected place. It requires courage, honesty and compassion because as you begin to beat the drum of your own unique rhythmn, you will be challenged and your "stuff" will certainly come up. So in the next year I will be offering teleseminars and as well as a large scale free online conference to empower those seeking their deepest truth and their most powerful voice.

  

Have you ever felt a little lost? If so, what helped/helps you find your way?

Of course. When I feel lost, I remember that the feelings I have in that moment are impermanent and won't last. I also remember to have patience with this process because often when we feel lost, a huge breakthrough is right around the corner. In more practical ways, I connect with some of my resources: my yoga practice, my partner, my Osho Zen Tarot Cards and my Goddess cards often remind me I am never ever alone.

Lastly, what delights you? Inspires you?

Simple things really. Teaching a class that is completely unplanned and I know only half the students, yet everything falls into place and pure magic happens. Spending time with my partner being silly, supportive and honest. Knowing I have the power to invigorate the lives and spirits of those around me through my words and through the way I live my life. Music that reminds me of all the conscious activists in this world that "get it." Knowing that just by eating and living in a way that is aligned I have inspired my parents and many of my loved ones to nurture and love themselves more fully. Cooking nourishing and delicious food for myself and my love ones. Potlucks. The Cosby Show. Harry Potter (It's deeper than you think!) Reading books that are meant to awaken our collective consciousness. Hiking and being around by trees, water sun and sky. All of these things both delight and inspire me. 

A HUGE thank you to Brittany for being the first CWDW interview.

More about Brittany:

Brittany T Policastro, E-RYT 200

Yoga Teacher. Writer. Spiritual Guide.

 Beyond Asana, Founder & Director

Teacher of Yoga and all things that blow her ever-evolving mind.

Known as a Stevie Wonder-loving, truth-speaking change-maker who bagged law school to pursue a creative thirst; Brittany rarely follows the pack on or off the mat. She believes transformation can be tumultuous – sometimes loud and messy but always packed with guidance and grace. And she leads her students into the heart of the practice from the start of her classes. With over 6,000 hours and nine years of experience, Brittany teaches from an inspired space of connected consciousness. Her technique is influenced by her 300 hours of training in Anusara, practice in Vinyasa and Restorative Yoga as well as deep study in India.

Inspired to create global awareness, Brittany has travelled to Cambodia, Brazil, Tanzania and India teaching yoga to children and connecting with each culture. In 2010, Brittany founded Beyond Asana and cocreated the Beyond Asana Yoga Teacher Training, which combines asana, sacred activism, personal growth work and global travel.

In 2009, Brittany’s blog was published in Yoga Journal. In 2010 she appeared on the 10! Show for a segment for Healthy Backs. In 2011 her poems were featured in The Poetry of Yoga, alongside some of the most recognized teachers in the world and in 2012 Lululemon Athletica named her an ambassador for their Philadelphia store. She is currently writing her first book, a memoir titled: Rebel in the Ashram: The Path of Tumultuous Transformation and working on a new focus of empowering conscious leaders align their lifestyle with their purpose.