Carolina Villalba
At the beginning of 2019 I was fortunate to meet Caro. She ran the yoga studio in Miami where my first teacher training was being held and although I didn’t know anybody and had travelled across the world to be somewhere I’d never been before, the way she greeted me as I first arrived I instantly knew I was in the right place!
Her love, enthusiasm and overflowing energy for the practice was infectious and I’m sure added tremendously to what was such a positive experience for me. I also can’t not mention her famous chihuahua Peaches, an integral part of the studio! Just seeing Caro’s love for Peaches, it was clear what a special soul she is and how much love she has to share with us, through her teaching and creative projects.
In a relatively short amount of time a lot has changed for us all. But I’m grateful for the online accessibility that has become possible this year and I have even been able to practice with Caro and take her class. She currently teaches for the Siddhi School of Yoga and I highly recommend signing up for a drop in with her- super down to earth, challenging but fun!
I hope to reconnect again somewhere on this planet when we can, but in the meantime I will continue to enjoy Caro’s presence from afar! Take a read of what she shares below to soak up a little of her wisdom…
Please introduce yourself, and what it is you so wonderfully do:
I am a queer Latina she / her identifying…yoga teacher...friend, daughter and as of 2020 I am re discovering the new world and how I can contribute to its progress.
What is your ideal way to start the day?
Something hot in the belly and meditation/ pranayama sadhana.
Do you have any daily rituals/ routines? Morning and/or night?
Always do my best to sit in stillness to slow my reactiveness down. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is my daily root for now.
Do you have any practices or remedies to stay healthy, both in body and mind?
Kindness. Self kindness and again to move a little slower than I would like, to be aware of others needs and feelings around me. That helps to communicate and be able to address my own needs.
Daily asana practice and most of all to allow yourself to explore your second by second options by not controlling the outcome of your day from the start.
Wake up. Be up. Plan ahead sure! Don’t live ahead.
Drink your morning tea sitting down instead of on the go.
When you need to get out of town, where in nature do you like to escape to?
The desert. The desert judges none. And it’s cold and hot at the same time...the desert can be sweet and caring…uplifting. But it can also be dark/ cold...harsh and isolated. I like the wide perspective of the desert planes .
How do you like to spend your nights and/or weekends?
I’m definitely a homebody at night.
Hikes...being out where phones don’t work and you’re too taken away by the surroundings to even remember to take a picture .
How do you unwind, re-centre and find balance?
Chai. Hahaha I definitely seek to a warm spiced beverage to help me remember how to slow down.
What is your favourite way to exercise?
Speed rope. Swimming. I don’t consider yoga exercise but self growth practice.
Your favourite meal to cook?
Hummmmm vegan nachos ! Just discovered this recently and it’s fast, shareable and fun to make.
Your favourite place to get dinner?
I’m in Oakland California at the moment and there is a spot called Souley Vegan that is bomb.
In what ways do you work to find balance in your life? Eg. work, social, family, self
It’s constant work. I just work on communication on the daily and how I can be more interested instead of more interesting.
What/where/who do you turn to when you need inspiration?
Old text.
Nature.
My chihuahua (she’s very compassionate).
Art.
Music.
How would you describe your style? What & who influences you?
I am a mix of Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine / Fresh Prince of Bel-Air lol
What is your definition of beauty?
Transparency
Do you have any additional ways that you care for your mind, body & spirit?
Meditation is crucial to hear your self!
What are you most grateful for in your life?
My father.
Current favourite...
Book- Nonviolent Communication
Movie- Mean Girls :P
Song- Cráneo, Scooby doo
Podcast- Louder Than A Riot by NPR
Clothing item- lots and lots of jackets
Coffee shop- I make killer chai and no one can really top it unless we go back to India ahaha
Despite the current events and our time in isolation this year is there anything you are working towards/ what are your future visions?
Teaming up with my teacher and friend Erin Rose to create a shared yoga space for all when NYC can reopen completely.
Where can we find you? Follow you?
(Clokahyoga / Clokahyoga.com coming Jan 2021)
Posted 15.11.20