Meet Nisreen Azar

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nisreen Azar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nisreen below.

Nisreen, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

I have an inherently optimistic personality that is equal parts nature and nurture combined. We can’t deny the suffering and pain of life, but it’s equally full of beauty, hope and joy. I stay focused on what makes me feel strong and peaceful so I can better serve my purpose as a mother, wife and teacher. Yoga practice helps me develop internal and external strength to navigate the challenges of life. Yoga practice also helps me understand that peace begins from within. My optimism ultimately comes from this same practice and dedication.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I have been a yoga practitioner for most of my adult life. I reaffirmed the benefits of yoga while pregnant with my daughter and while practicing postnatal yoga after her birth. The experience of pregnancy, labor and motherhood dynamically shifted everything in life including my personal yoga practice. This inspired me to deepen my practice and complete my 85-hour prenatal yoga teacher training with Colette Crawford (Sri Janani Yoga) and then my 200-hour yoga teacher training with Richard Schachtel (The Center for Yoga of Seattle).

I also hold a BA in Studio Art from Scripps College and a MLA in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona. My formal training in Studio Art and Landscape Architecture led me to work in the fields of ecological landscape design and restoration. Both disciplines of yoga and ecological design deepen my connection with Mother Earth, who nurtures and supports all life. Motherhood is one of my greatest joys. I am dedicated to support and empower women on their unique journey into birth and motherhood.

I’m grateful to offer prenatal, postnatal and family yoga classes at the Edmonds Waterfront Center in Edmonds, WA. I grew up in this town and am now raising my family here. I’m so happy to see mothers new and old coming together to create their village of support through yoga. This gives me optimism for the future.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Becoming a mother and feeling the love, pain and joy of motherhood.
2. Being a listener.
3. Being authentic.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Firstly, I’m fortunate to have a supportive and loving family. My husband, daughter and I are a very solid family unit. I’ve become a better person and learned exponentially through having a child; children are the best teachers. I’m close with my parents and am thankful for my brother and his family. Secondly, I’ve had excellent yoga teachers with whom I continue to practice. I’m also constantly learning from the wonderful students who attend my classes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Waterfrontyoga.org