About  Helene Von Rosenstiel

Since my early 20’s, many professionals advised that meditation, yoga, tai chi, walking, and a regular lifestyle were essential for my well-being, and would ultimately save my life.  The usual excuses took precedent: no time, too much work, inconvenient class schedules, unwillingness to change, resistance. Yet an unrequited yearning gnawed through my 60’s. 

A move to Lansdowne PA in 2008 and the subsequent  2012 opening of a yoga studio offering convenient classes for me, put an end to excuses. I jumped in, knowing I had to. Knowing little about yoga, I immediately confronted challenges of minimal strength and flexibility, and not knowing how to navigate a power yoga practice. Three years later, in my early 70’s, an increasing sense of urgency for certification to substitute at 6 am classes, led me to enroll in an intensive 3 week, 200 hour Classical Hatha Yoga teacher training at the Shambhava Konalani Yoga Ashram, Keauhou HI  in January 2016. 

While still in training in Hawaii, our Lansdowne teacher, Gabrielle, notified me that she had opened a new studio, Dragon Spirit Arts, and was initiating  her center with the  long awaited 3 month 200 hour “Vinyasa Fusion Flow” teacher training. It would begin six weeks later in April. Having promised to participate in her training long before and now aware of the importance of  an extended training, I took a deep breath, stepped back on my mat, and completed all her required training by fall 2016.

 In January 2017, I began a two year, 300 hour, Advanced Yoga Teacher Training at YogaLife Institute in King of Prussia PA.   With  strong philosophical, spiritual and sacred literature components, this program filled in many gaps in Spiritual Philosophy and advanced yoga practices.

Later that year, having completed 1/4 of the 300 hour program, an additional opportunity at YogaLife Institute manifested - that of participating in the 3 year Certified Yoga Therapist Training. So, I accepted my personal challenge to complete both programs simultaneously. I will graduate Yoga Therapy in June 2020.  The  300 hour Advanced  teachings  proved so interesting and valuable that, upon graduation in early  2019, I signed up to retake the 300 hours at YogaLife Institute, knowing that, while parts of it might be similar to the first round, I would be approaching the material on a new level. I also knew that the majority of the school’s teachings would be expanded, and provide new perspectives and information.

Then, in early 2019, YogaLife Institute Director, Bob Butera, invited me to be a mentor for students of their 200 hour Classical Hatha Yoga Teacher Training program.  I was expected to participate in classes and provide individualized support for students as needed. Completing this third 200 hour Teacher Training has been a great benefit to me as I relearn and expand comprehension of the basics through the lens of time, experience and perspective.

As I constantly refine and reassess my own personal practice, I apply what I learn to teaching: private students, Chair, Limited Mobility, Slow Flow, Stress Relief Yoga classes and Reiki at Dragon Spirit Arts and other venues.  

While many yoga students study for several years, my own life needs and enthusiasm has allowed me to condense my studies and accomplishments. This overlapping and intensive work has brought a deep understanding, satisfaction and respect for what I do. 

This gift of teaching provides a specific forum in which to synthesize my love of learning, appreciation of anatomy, application of mind/body/spirit connections to well-being, and an avenue to incorporate chanting, meditation, and yoga lifestyle into the practices. 

Nature also provides ongoing inspiration for my yoga, my botanical drawing and for gardening.  Reike, community seva, and continual learning  provides me, as an ordained Interfaith Minister,  countless opportunities to practice principles of the Yamas and Niyamas. This combination of yogic interests serves to inspire me to seek expanded edges on and off my mat. 

With an increasing sense of urgency to become certified to substitute at the 6am classes,  in January 2016 I received  teacher certification after an intensive 3 week, 200 hour Hatha Yoga training at Shambhava Yoga Konalani Ashram in Hawaii. While still in Hawaii, I was notified that Gabrielle had announced her long awaited, 3 month Dragon Spirit Arts “Vinyasa Fusion Flow” 200 hour teacher training which would commence in April. Having promised to participate in Gabrielle’s teacher training long before the fall immersion took place, I took a deep breath and stepped back on my mat,  completing the Dragon Spirit Arts 200 hr. training in fall 2016. 
 
Now, a personal  yoga practice combined with teaching allows me to synthesizes a love  and fascination of anatomy, the mind/body connection to well being, chanting, meditation, contemplation, and encourage and assist my students to seek their edge on the mat. 

Nature provides ongoing inspiration for yoga, botanical drawing and gardening. Reiki, community seva, and part time work allow me to practice in the world what I learn on the mat.