CWDW Interviews...Maura Manzo

I connected with Maura for the first time last February. Well, really, I connected to her beforehand...and by connected, I mean, I stalked her on Twitter because she was doing all these things I wanted to do like yoga, writing, and health coaching.

In February, she put out into the Twitterverse that she was looking for an assistant and I applied immediately. 

The great thing about working with Maura was that not only did I have a great boss, I gained an awesome friend and mentor, who inspires me, pushes me, challenges me, makes me laugh, and kicks my butt in yoga all. the. time. I was also able to make a connection with Off The Mat Philly & South Jersey, which is starting to do some great things.

Without further ado...

(CWDW Interviews... is an interview series posted 

on both Charly Writes and Delightful Writes.

Know someone I should interview? Email me. ) 

Maura Manzo

Yoga Teacher & Health Coach

CWDW: I love hearing your journey to becoming a yoga teacher. Do you mind sharing it again?

Maura: Sure. I was in the middle of a quarter-life crisis. I was 25 and found myself looking around at my life and asking: Who am I and how did I get here? I was really lost. I knew I couldn't continue living my life the way that I was --- bartending, drinking, smoking, being overall unhealthy. I can remember looking around my house and thinking: Well, what do I like to do?

At that point I had a boatload of cookbooks and books about food as healing medicine. So I decided to look into nutrition schools. I can remember receiving the Institute of Integrative Nutrition's (IIN) info piece in the mail and reading it cover to cover and knowing, just really really knowing, it was where I needed to be. So I started to trek to New York City once a month for this amazing program that changed my life. I started working at a yoga and wellness studio to learn about the industry but I wasn't practicing yoga.  I was still going through a lot of change and stress because of other things that were happening (aka a break up with a boyfriend, totally broke, etc.), but right when I finally felt that I was making the right decisions towards a better life, the unthinkable happened -- my apartment caught on fire and in 10 quick minutes, I lost every single possession I owned, including my car that was parked out front. I was left with only the clothes on my back.  It was traumatic, of course, but very quickly I knew it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I had been praying for a fresh start and I got it. I know not everyone would look at the situation this way, but I did. I could feel it in my bones. Three days later, I walked into my first yoga class. The rest is history. No one will ever be able to convince me that the fire wasn't divine intervention. It brought me back to life and put me on my path, for sure.

You do a lot of work with Off the Mat, Into the World (OTM). Can you talk a little about that organization and how you continue to work with them? Tell us more about OTMPhilly & South Jersey!

Yes, I love OTM. They have really shaped and molded me into who I am today. Over the past 2 years, I've worked very closely with the organization. In 2010, I raised $20,000 for their Global Seva Challenge (one of my proudest moments) and then traveled with them to Cape Town, South Africa, to be a part of their humanitarian work with HIV/AIDS populations and to learn about the effects of apartheid on the nation. I then went on to take their Yoga, Purpose & Action (YPA) and Advanced Leadership Trainings. This year, I was lucky enough to assist founders Seane Corn, Suzanne Sterling and Hala Khouri for the weeklong YPA training at the Omega Institute. As the community leader for OTM Philly & South Jersey, my role is to engage and activate yogis in elevating their practices and taking it off the mat. We're starting to do awesome things -- Yoga in Action 7-week trainings (based on OTM curriculum), a month-long food drive co-sponsored with lululemon athletica Sagemore and South Jersey yoga studios, hosting other national teachers for service-oriented trainings and more. It's really, really exciting to be part of a shift that is taking place and to see leaders stepping up. I'm a great initiator and connector, but it's really others who are moving into the forefront of their communities, in ways both small and large, but both equally powerful and effective.

A lot of your yoga classes/workshops are very connected to nature and/or food. What is your connection to nature and food? How does it influence your life--personally and professionally?

Because I started on my wellness path at IIN, I really understand how powerful it is to be mindful of how you feed yourself. You are what you eat is so true. But this runs much deeper than just nutrition. We feed ourselves everyday with more than food -- with our relationships, our jobs, our social lives, etc. Being healthy encompasses how we feed and nurture ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. And so of course, nature has a huge part in that. Being outside, breathing fresh air, connecting to our environments reminds us of our inter-connectedness and of the magic that exists in the world. It also helps relax us and when we are relaxed, we are more creative and more inspired. So both are a super important part of many of my yoga classes and all of my retreats. Plus it adds some versatility -- it's nice to get out of the studio and practice yoga on a farm. Then it's easier to incorporate the theme of  "how are you feeding yourself." And who doesn't love yoga outside on a rooftop deck followed by tacos? I love to have fun with the practice and keep people on their toes, literally and figuratively.

The life of a yoga teacher is not all namastes and child's pose. How do stay true to yourself and your love of yoga even when you are stressed (especially when it is yoga that is stressing you)? What do you love to do off your mat?

Ahh, Charly, such a good question. No, it's definitely not all 'namaste' all the time. This is hard work. Really hard work and finding balance is always my biggest challenge. I think I redo my schedule every two months and really have to recommit myself to what's important to me -- practicing, eating well, having a social life and downtime. Off my mat, I do love cooking. But I really love spending time with my nieces and sisters. Being with kids brings out the goofball in me. And as you know, I really love to travel. It really recharges me -- being somewhere different, seeing a different side of the story, opening to new perspectives.

You are always planning or attending new workshops, new adventures. What are you working on now?

 Personally, I am getting ready to spend five weeks traveling in Mexico, a dream I've had for a long time. I'm a tad bit nervous to travel by myself, but I know it will be great for me to get outside my comfort zone a bit. Professionally, in February, our Beyond Asana Teacher Training Group will travel to Nepal to help build a school. That will surely be intense and eye-opening and just a tremendous learning experience. And then I'd really like to focus on the "what's next" for me in 2013 -- maybe studio space, maybe teaching outside of the state, maybe starting a non-profit. I'm hoping my solo travels will bring some clarity and inspiration. And then I'll let you know!

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

Yes. There are times when I feel lost a lot -- it can be very challenging and isolating working for yourself. I spend a lot of time by myself and in my own head. Connecting with other teachers reminds me I'm not alone and that there are plenty of people around me to connect to for support. I have "my girls" -- we call each other the Board of Directors --  we all really encourage each other to live our lives on purpose, so we support each other and hold each other accountable. It's a wonderful dynamic. Of course, practicing yoga always helps and more and more, it's meditation -- finding calm amongst the chaos, a moment to pause and shift gears. And then, being with my nieces. Just being around them leaves me so hopeful and happy. They remind me of what's truly important in life and to just have fun with it all.

What delights you? Inspires you?

So many things delight me: Michael Jackson songs, good food, a lovely glass of red wine, spontaneous singing and dancing, surprises, the ocean, a really deep conversation. What inspires me? Anything and everything. Lately, other yogis stepping up. I absolutely love being a part of and watching the transformational process of yoga wake someone up to their own potential. It's pure magic. And it's happening with this local OTM group. I'm totally inspired by what's happening but more inspired because it feels so right for me, like it's exactly where I belong. Nothing feels better than that.

THANK YOU MAURA! 

A little more about Maura:

Maura is a yoga teacher and health coach specializing in integrating diet, health and wellness. She supports others in becoming their best possible selves.

In 2010, she raised $20,000 in 2010 for HIV/AIDS programs in South Africa as part of Off the Mat, Into the World's Seva Challenge. She is deeply committed to connecting with and engaging in communities on both a local and global level.She has continued to work with OTM, recently completing two leadership trainings with co-founders Seane Corn, Hala Khouri and Suzanne Sterling. 

In addition, Maura is a luluemon athletica Ambassador and co-founder of The Art of Letting Go: A Maya Tulum Yoga Vacation. She also currently writes recipes for Philadelphia Magazine's Be Well Philly blog. She is also co-founder of the Beyond Asana 200-Hr Yoga Teacher Training and Service Project (in collaboration with Brittany Policastro and BuildOn).

On a more personal note, Maura has three sisters and six nieces that she adores. She loves being outside, trying new restaurants and cooking, going to the movies and traveling, traveling, traveling!

website: www.MauraManzo.com  -- twitter: @healthymoo -- Facebook: www.facebook.com/manzomaura
OTM Philly & South Jersey: http://www.facebook.com/otmphilly -- www.offthematphilly.wordpress.com