A personal love story.

I remember when I stopped trusting myself.  It was in nursery school, and there’s a story.

It had to do with a sneeze and being forced to hold hands in a circle of kids. I remember the feeling of recoiling from life, and shrinking. 

And, then after that, one event after another. More shrinking and hiding. I searched for places of refuge.

Tiny little slivers of light shining through cracked windows. 

I got older, life kept happening. 

Teenage years were full of confusing sorrow. 

I was tired. I wanted to dance. I wanted to scream.  I wanted life to be more than what I could see.  I knew that it was, but no one around me understood what I knew.  I didn’t have words, or guidance.

I went to art school.  Then, graduate school.  Then, yoga became a lifeline.  It was a place where I could feel and breathe.  It was a place of refuge and belonging.

Like a bag full of tea, I steeped myself. I made a vow to follow the path all the way.  

Then, 30 years of circuitous questions, leading me to revelations of the invisible kind.  My body became my friend. I learned how to trust myself; it’s been work, oceans of tears, and the woven stories that have been passed down from one heart to the next.

I learned how to listen deeper, how to follow the threads of some kind of truth that I could never explain to you with words.

We feel this truth in our bodies.  It’s a knowing feeling.  It’s in the gut, the heart, the throat, the indigo color on the inside of your closed eyes.

You will recognize it when you walk barefoot in the grass, on the sand, on the mountain.

I believe in nature.

I believe in invisible things.

I believe in the goodness of the Universe.

I believe in art and music and dance.

I trust life.  I trust my body.  I trust everything that helps me to feel closer to life and more connected to others.

Biography

Marni Sclaroff is an art and movement educator who brings a lifelong passion for living a creative and purposeful life to people all over the world. With over 30 years of experience in the holistic, visual and movement arts, and a Master’s Degree in Art Education, she is well-versed in the languages of artistry and transformation. In addition to holding 3 certifications in yoga & having received formal initiation as a practitioner of meditation, she is also a certified Martha Beck Wayfinder Life Coach. Her work is influenced and inspired by earth based spirituality and nature's cycles and rhythms.

In all of her offerings, you will experience the woven threads of mythology, soulful journeying, intelligent rhythmic unfolding, the power of aligned action, energetic wisdom from a deep and true lineage, embodied transmission, and a light-hearted sense of wonder and curiosity.

Testimonials

"My skype sessions with you, Marni, had the immediate effect of awakening a love of home practice. What you live was communicated in a profound healing way which awakened something indescribable. My perspective on asana practice shifted to an even more personal, self-nurturing daily experience. I used to look to group classes for a fraction of the depth of grounding I now find in home practice. Meditation is also enhanced, as this offering of self-care and deep reverence is occurring in home asana."

-Marcia Childress, student

"ok, i just had to look you up to tell you that you and your class are absolutely delightful! your awesome disposition is totally contagious and your teachings are quite expansive...to have that kind of balance as a teacher is pretty cool!

oh, and you quoted tom robbins last week and i almost passed out from shock...he's one of my absolute faves so that was pretty cool too:-)

anywho, that's it. i'm super picky about my yoga classes so i like to tell people when they're awesome. i imagine it can be tough as a teacher not to know if what you're saying is actually resinating with anyone in the room."
be well,
janet

"I appreciate you, Marni, you are so refreshing in the yoga world. Your humility, vessel-hood, and honesty maybe your secret powers. Thank you."

-Palika Benton