Interview with Seane Corn

ECA World Fitness has the opportunity to bring into focus new trends, presenters and ideas each year to their conventions. This year, ECA brings Seane Corn, celebrated yoga teacher, new to many within the fitness field, but with a message that is old and steeped in its traditions and background.

Seane offers an insight into her teachings that reminds us that each part of ourselves, our mind, body and spirit should operate as one. And to take it a step further, we are all part of that network as ONE in mind, body and spirit.

I was asked by Carol Scott to interview Seane because, in her words, “I want people to see how brilliant she is.” Seane is on our NYC 07 cover and she is going to be one of our presenters in New York City in March 2007. She’s presenting a workshop on Friday evening called: Beyond Vinyasa: Personal Evolution Through Movement, Breath and Self Investigation.

This program is important because whatever our personal circumstances, age, or where we are in our lives, we are all experiencing a shift. We are consistently moving and changing. And Seanes’ teachings bring us back to what she maintains is the truth.

ECA: How did you begin your journey with yoga?
SC: At the age of 19, I was working as a waitress in New York City at the Life Café with fellow waitress, Sharon Gannon. David Life owned the café and with Sharon, opened the Jivamukti Yoga Centers. I was introduced to the practice at 19, but it wasn’t until I was 24 did I understand the spiritual level of yoga, its philosophies, and how it applies to various aspects of my life.

ECA: Who influenced you and still does today? And why?
SC:  The first is Maty Ezraty. She developed and started a yoga school in California that I became involved with when I moved out west. When she started Yoga Works in Southern California, there was nothing like it’s kind anywhere. Maty is responsible for the training of instructors like myself and Shiva Rae, and she also brought in many top teachers from around the country. Maty also has a brilliant business mind. Chuck Miller is another person who influenced me.  He assisted Maty in opening Yoga Works and in making it a premier yoga establishment.

When it comes to modern spirituality, I am influenced by Caroline Myss, Marianne Williamson and Anodea Judith. And  Siri Aurobindo and his teachings are a strong influence on me spiritually.

ECA: What is the connection you attempt to make when you teach?
SC: I come into class without expectations. Each week, I go to a different area of yoga, and see people have different experiences. It’s important to create a space where people feel empowered, and not feel limited or that they have failed. I am there to show them the balance yoga has to offer, how to become more self aware of their body and spirit and help them make the necessary adjustments and show modifications.

ECA: What adjustments do you make when teaching in a video venue?
SC: In a video, I describe exactly what is happening, and show every modification there is. It’s important for people to learn, memorize and be able to follow along with the breath and develop their own home practice.

ECA: How has the media influenced yoga?
SC: The media has hyped up yoga and made it more mainstream. The stigma is now off practicing yoga, and it is easier for people to adapt it into their lives and not feel self-conscious. Hopefully people learn that yoga is a wonderful practice that they incorporate it into their lives.

ECA: How has yoga influenced the fitness media?
SC: For many years, people who use impact training have created an imbalance within themselves. Yoga strengthens then tones, it is its own workout. It uses the stability within the body to achieve balance.  

ECA: What are some of the lessons you learned that you would like to share with us.
SC: I feel that teaching is a service. I feel committed to inspire the students and help them learn how to live a healthy fulfilling life. I take my role as a teacher humbly. There is a projection in the class, and try to have them not buy into the hype. The best lesson is to serve and support and to keep it simple.

Recommended reading:
 “Light on Yoga” by BKS Iyengar
“The Heart of Yoga” by TKV Desikachar
“A Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson
“Eastern Body, Western Mind” by A. Judith
“Anatomy of the Spirit” by Carolyn Myss

ECA: What is your recommended thought?
SC: The practice of yoga is to unite and recognize that there is no separation between body, mind and spirit. We are all one. My job is not to teach but to have this shared experience and to remind people of what they already know and that the true teacher lies within.

Many thanks to author Susan Kasper. Susan Kasper is ECA's Public Relations Liaison and Editor of the ECA NEWS. She has twenty years advertising, marketing and public relations experience. Susan has lectured to different Long Island based non-profit organizations on marketing and public relations topics and currently sits on the board of directors with one of Long Island's fastest growing non-profit children associations. In addition, she is a member of the Women's Sports Foundation and Long Island Coalition for Fair Broadcasting. See ECA's website at http://www.ecaworldfitness.com .

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Copyright Susan Kasper