One of the really awesome things about owning our own business is our ability to reconnect with and serve the people we knew growing up back in our home town. It’s an incredible thrill to receive orders from those we knew in high school or college. This week’s yogi highlight (our 18th!) came to us through the experience of reconnecting with a high school friend of ours, Linette Piercy, aunt to the remarkable and beautiful Riley Gerlinger. Linette has been the most amazing supporter of Big Raven Yoga — we’ve lost count of the number of yoga mats she’s purchased from us for herself and others. Riley was one such lucky recipient. Linette said “My niece is going to LOVE these mats. She’s such a warm, loving, thoughtful, caring, compassionate person… I want to do something special for her because she deserves it.” This gift from aunt to niece has been what brought Riley into our world and we are SO grateful for it! Riley has been such an incredible gift to Big Raven Yoga through her postings on Instagram, sharing her excitement on social media, and letting others know about our little corner of the world. Riley (and Linette!) thank you so much!
— Joleen
QTell us a little bit about yourself…
AI am from Oregon, I have been an athlete all of my life playing collegiate basketball up until 2 years ago when I started Chiropractic school in San Francisco. My version of stamina and health has changed drastically these past two years where now I am much more focused on quality, longevity and seeking optimal health and wellbeing.
QWhat kind of asanas do you practice?
AI love to get sweaty during my practice so I love postures that I am using major muscle groups and being challenged. I don’t have a favorite posture, but my favorite classes are high intensity Yoga Sculpt practices.
QHow long have you been a yogi?
A3 years.
QWhat role does yoga play in your life?
AYoga provides an outlet for me to feel grounded and centered allowing me to be more mindfully and find greater self love.
QDo you have a favorite pose?
ADown dog! I love the feeling of awareness that I get from my first down dog of the day and then as I loosen up and revisit the same pose later on in the practice I have a completely different experience.
QHave you ever had a “yoga moment”, something that happened during practice that you didn’t expect? That made you laugh, brought you joy, made you cry?
AOften times I will get a big surge of joy and gratitude during practice, or I will even get a big wave of motivation and inspiration for my future and what I aspire to become.
QWhen you placed your order with Big Raven Yoga, what made you choose Water, Wind, Fire & Earth?
AI love color and I wanted to encourage feeling alive when I visited my mat.
QDo people ask you about your mat?
AYES! My cousin and aunt have ordered mats since I got mine!
Riley was gracious enough to provide us with a video of her 23-minute yoga session condensed down to 23 seconds. Enjoy!
Thank you, Riley — we’re so glad to have you and your aunt in our corner, and we’re looking forward to following your amazing career!