We recently connected with Christine Burke and have shared our conversation below.
Christine, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
I am extremely passionate about self-care. Despite my own struggles in the past with certain aspects of it, I have made it a center piece of my work with people and the epicenter of my life because, in my opinion, it is involved in every aspect of human life and it is essential to a whole, meaningful and healthy life. Self-care is either demonized or put on a pedestal as the wonder kid. It can be misrepresented or misunderstood and seen as a luxury that is not accessible to marginalized communities or struggling individuals. True self care is the relationship that we are developing with ourselves and what it’s built on. It begins with understanding, listening and compassion. It grows with curiosity, practice and priority. Self-care is at it’s core an act of self worth and self love. It may show up as being kind and patient with ourselves when we make a mistake and valuing the lesson learned from the mistake to take forward. It may show up as taking care of the body with food, rest, exercise and quiet time. It can be the right amount of stimulation and positive stress that helps us expand and grow fostering creativity and meaning. It is being the best parent to yourself and friend to yourself that you can. The outer actions (of which I am a big fan) work best if they are coming from the deeper connection of self acceptance and self love – but also the actions can lead to those things in turn. I pepper my days with many of these outer practices. Most often I start my morning early in the quiet with a little writing, reading, meditation, movement or even just taking in the early morning sky. I ask myself what’s important today for me to feel – not just do. I look for laughter, humor and short fulfilling connections with people on busy days and longer moments when I can. I drink water, practice Sun Soaking (closing my eyes facing the sun for two minutes), I pause, practice gratitude daily and get outside. I practice yoga, breathe, yoga, breathe rinse and repeat:), I try to hear a new song every few days. I read and watch tv and films that engage, ignite and relax me. I keep my space beautiful and as clean as I can. I look for inspiration on social media not comparison,I stop myself when I feel perfectionism coming and remember how beautiful the mess of life can be and how human it is to be messy. I use the mantra “that’s enough for now” I am more productive, balanced, joyful and grounded with self-care. I know that I am lighting the way for others who may also feel too busy or overwhelmed and I make it my mission to light the way.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Liberation Yoga has been an award winning, community based, family owned and run studio since 2004. Our studio has won numerous awards and attention for its beauty, uniqueness and warmth. We value body and spirit equally, and celebrate inclusivity and creativity. It is truly a melting pot of humanity from all walks and stages of life.While the centerpiece of Liberation is dedicated to yoga and deeply rooted in the authentic history of the practice, we also love to offer unexpected and unique experiences. Over the years in addition to workshops and trainings that would be expected at a studio and are rich in value, we also offer novel experiences. These include Camping Yoga, Goat Yoga, Painting and Poetry Yoga and Yoga Knit Night to name a few. One offering that I am especially overjoyed about is my program, The Spiritual Mental Health Diet. This program is very close to my heart and especially in these often precarious and demanding times. I have been leading it for 5 years 4 times per year. It is a weekly live group program from the comfort of your own home led by me and corresponding to the seasons and a theme. We develop healthy practices for daily care that include a wide range of wellness techniques, yogic philosophy for daily living, breath work, yoga, meditation and Qi Gong, writing and creativity practices to illuminate, elevate and organize your life to feel more alive, connected, present and effective. It is a tonic to the nervous system, and a brightener for the mind. The course is 6 weeks long 4 times per year. I am currently in the early stages of my third book based on the SMHD program. In addition I am thrilled to be continuing to host more intimate and accessible Teacher Training Groups for our long beloved Liberation Teacher Training Program.The challenges we have all faced and my personal experiences of late have inspired me all the more to bring light, clarity and good old fashioned yoga love to as many as I can and to be a guide and support to those unveiling their own power and magnificence. Having recently become a Grief Educator I look forward to integrating that into my work on a more regular basis to provide relief and emotional freedom through yoga for those in various stages of grief. All of the information for these happenings can be found on www.liberationyoga.com, christineburkeyoga.com and on Instagram @liberationyoga over the coming months. I am thankful for the 20 years of my studio, and 24 years of sharing the beauty of yoga and a yoga lifestyle.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think one of the most important qualities is having worked so many different jobs in my early years to support my passions, taught me that I could take care of myself which can diminish fear of the future. A work ethic is a priceless thing. During that time I was often humbled, met all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds and developed grit and stamina. I strongly urge people to work in the service industry in some way sometime. Wait tables, be a cashier or host, work in retail, assist a contractor, paint houses, etc. It develops people skills, grace under pressure and more empathy. You discover how many things you can actually do and there are hidden strengths and talents you will uncover. Secondly, you do not have to be good at everything or perfect at anything. Once you uncover your gifts and they are matched with passion, find the people who are proficient and passionate in the areas that you are not and bring them along with you. Then you can shine and succeed together.
Thirdly, there is no substitute for experience they say and they are right. It may take thousands of hours to master a skill but if you are in love with journey (no matter how tough at times) you will not even notice the time flying by. Your life is your best teacher. That being said, mentors can be essential at certain periods to point you in the right direction and push you firmly yet gently along. Keep a beginners mind, an open heart and take care of your body.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The number one obstacle I am currently facing is releasing the brick and mortar space of Liberation Yoga after 20 years. After 15 years in our original and beautifully magical location, we were priced out of the neighborhood and had to move. Eight months after this massive move and a complete renovation of the new studio, the pandemic hit and were closed. We continued with full rent despite losing 70% of our income. On the heels of the crush of the pandemic, our daughter was hospitalized for 2 months with a covid related illness and three weeks after coming home, we suffered the unexpected loss of my soul mate husband, partner of 26 years, and father to our daughter, Clementine due to a stroke related heart attack. It has become necessary and clear that I must let go of our beloved Brick and Mortar studio. While it is another big change, and definitely filled with emotion and the pain of release, it is also a beautiful and promising transition. In the true spirit of yoga – and namely the concept of Liberation, I am embracing the new form and listening to the deeper wisdom that is pushing me to reimagine a new way. This shift allows more freedom for retreats both near and far, pop-up nature and urban destination classes and workshops throughout the city. It also provides me a chance to focus even more on my online Self Care and Self Discovery Program – The Spiritual Mental Health Diet. I am leaning deep into the philosophy, teachings and gurus of yoga, poetry, literature and music. I am drawing on years of my own self study and what I have shared with my students. I am open to the love and support that is generously offered me, and finding an inner strength that surprises me at times as much as the depth of loss shakes me at others. Life=Change. Our depth of appreciation and love is highlighted most when facing letting go. Life is filled with contrasts and we may contract ourselves through hardship. We may withdraw and retreat to the dark spaces, but it’s my mission and my passion to expand and grow through it, emerging like the lotus – filled with light, love and compassion to share. We must adapt to keep growing and we must keep growing to truly live.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.liberationyoga.com and christineburkeyoga.com
- Instagram: @liberationyoga.com
- Facebook: liberationyoga
- Other: email to [email protected]
Image Credits
Clementine McCleery, Erika Flores
