About Me

Why is it so hard to write an ‘About Me’ page? I guess we are all taught to be humble and modest, even to the point of self-deprecation at times. I know that I’ve personally resisted posting an ‘About Me’ in the past partly out of humility and partly out of a desire for privacy.

But today I’ve decided to write a little bit about myself for two reasons. First, while I do believe some humility keeps us from being blinded by our ego or overly self-absorbed, I also think too much is inhibiting and keeps us from being bold and following our truest desires. Secondly, I owe it to my readers to tell you a little bit about my experience and education.

I was born in a small town to off-the-boat immigrants on a cool October morn. Haha – I’ll spare you the details and give you the clif notes.

My real name is Rosemary and Lilla is my alter ego. After graduating college, I dove into a career working for an international publisher. It was a great job at the time that took me to places as far as Singapore, Sweden, Portugal and Germany. I climbed the corporate ladder, got the big office, expense account, townhouse – all the trappings of success that are “supposed to” make you happy, but of course it’s all so fleeting. After 10+ years at the publishing company, I stumbled upon a yoga class and fell in love with it! I went on to get my teaching certification, taught several classes at local studios and eventually opened up my own studio, Yoga Bums in Rutherford, NJ.

I traveled to yoga retreats, workshops and eventually my love for Ashtanga yoga led me to Mysore, India to study with Sri K Pattabhi Jois and Sheshadri. After my stay in India, I wrote the book Ashtanga City: Westerner’s Guide to Mysore to Mysore and set up the website Mysore Ashtanga.

Around this same time, I also began exploring and experimenting with raw foods. I traveled to Puerto Rico to study at the Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institute and eventually went on to work for a year at one of the premiere raw food centers, the Tree of Life led by Dr. Gabriel Cousens. Shortly thereafter, I went to Kauai to do a work/trade at La Ola Health and Wellness to learn about organic farming and homeopathy.

Next stop – Australia, mate. I lived Down Under for a year in 2009 helping an incredible new start-up, Samudra get off the ground. Samudra is a wonderful place providing yoga classes, a vegetarian cafe, permaculture garden, eco-shop, retreats, events and community. Here, I had the privilege of collaborating with the head chef and working on a variety of projects such as testing new recipes, designing a popular 6-week cooking course, conducting food classes, and setting up their restaurant recipe and costing database.

After being a 100% raw foodist for 5 years, I flirted back and forth with SAD food for a year before finding my way back to a high raw food BUT balanced diet. I now incorporate home-made cultured foods, raw dairy, wild fish and grassfed meats in my diet and minimize gluten. Food and optimal health are a passion of mine and I love to create things from scratch in traditional methods and share it with others. S.O.L.E. food – sustainable, organic, local, ethical!

I’ve experienced much of what I write about firsthand and learned from my mistakes which sometimes is even more valuable than education itself. I’m very happy to have the ability to share what I know with you, but I also want to say that it is up to each individual to educate themselves and decide what is best. I can tell you about my experience, but in the end, you are responsible for you.

In the top right column is my “mind movie.” This is as visual as visualization techniques can get! Visualization is a very powerful method for drawing those things you want into your life and manifesting your dream reality whether it’s relationships, weight loss, money, love, health – sky’s the limit! Take a peek. If you’re interested in making your own mind movie, you can make your own 30-second movie for free or use my coupon code: ldvzoaiq – to save $5 off of an all-access pass at Animoto.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I am an affiliate for several of the services and products that I write about. I take my responsibility as an affiliate seriously and only write about services or products that I have used or currently use and recommend. I include links to these products and services which can result in a commission that is credited to this site. If you prefer to go to straight to a website without using my link, please open a new tab and type in the service or product’s main url only. I am happy just to help and hope my blog reaches many and helps in some way.

My Experience

Yoga Works, New York, NY
2002 ISHTA Teacher Training Certification

Ann Wigmore Natural Health Institute, Aguada, Puerto Rico
2003 Living Food Lifestyle Total Well-Being Certification

Yoga Bums Studio (currently Shiva Shanti), Rutherford, NJ
Aug 2002 – July 2006 Owner and Sole Proprietor

Ashtanga Intensive Practice, Mysore, India
Jan- Feb 2005 with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and V. Sheshadri

Wrote and published Ashtanga City: Westerner’s Guide to Mysore, 2005

Tree of Life Rejuvenation and Raw Food Center, Patagonia, Arizona
May 2006 – April 2007 Greenhouse Manager

La Ola Health and Wellness, Kilauea, Kauai
May 2007 – July 2007 WWOOF in organic farming and homeopathy

Samudra Yoga and Raw Food Cafe, Dunsborough, Australia
December 2008 – August 2009

NOTE: This entire website is for informational and entertainment purposes only. I am not a medical doctor, a trained nutritionist or a physical trainer and am not responsible for any consequences regarding your use or intended use of any information provided on this site. This website is not intended to be used as medical advice. Always check with your medical professional before making any changes to your diet or exercise regime.

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