Lori Ferry just recently joined our teaching staff. She feels very blessed to guide as a 200RYT Yoga Teacher and Reiki Master. Her passions towards Mindfulness Meditation, Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga as well as Energy Healing work flows intuitively in her daily life and loves to share this passion with others during her classes. With her own daughter as a military veteran she has deep compassion for supporting our Community-in-Service and feels very privileged to guide individuals on their own journey towards vitality and joy. She is excited to become a grandmother this summer!
Practicing yoga since:
I discovered yoga when my husband and I ditched our corporate jobs and moved to Costa Rica in 2011. By January of 2012 I had discovered the wonders of yoga and quickly developed a daily practice. With the sense of finding yoga later in life sometimes I would attend classes twice-a-day in order to “catch-up”.
Teaching yoga since:
I have been teaching yoga since September 2013. I attended Authentic Yoga Teacher Training in Scottsdale Arizona with David Oliver with the intention to experience a more intense study of yoga. But this thing called yoga is just too amazing not to share, so when the studio owners where I practiced stated “You-are-ready!” I nervously accepted their gracious offer to guide a slow-flow class on Saturday afternoons and to sub for other yoga teachers. Teaching has inspired my own personal practice.
Where/when do you teach?
I am privileged to teach yoga at Source Yoga, University Place, on Wednesday’s Relax & Restore at 7pm and Thursday’s Level I at 4:30pm.
Hobbies/interests:
I find great enjoyment in creating outdoor spaces with gardening and natural elements. Sometimes, we can’t get to that amazing path in the woods or sink our toes in the sand at the beach so creating outdoor sanctuaries is a joy. I love to find moments of mindfulness and listening to the sounds of nature in the convenience of my own living space. Of course, I am always up for a nature walk or hike…
What non-yoga book are you reading/did you recently read?
I just finished the book, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford. It is about Seattle, the internment of World War II, the Panama Hotel, a Chinese boy and a Japanese girl. I enjoy reading historical fiction about my surrounding areas. For me it brings a sense of curiosity and entices me to explore my surroundings even more. I find that I want to carve out more time for novels, I rarely give myself that pleasure, always reading to learn or so it seems.
What yoga book do you recommend?
The first yoga book I ever read about yoga was Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. I have read a lot of yoga books since then and so many I could list. But I think I’ll stick with the one mentioned here. For me, it was a profound introduction to Yoga and its tradition of meditation. It was intriguing and inspiring. At the same time, I found it entertaining, sometimes maybe a little difficult to comprehend but always found myself wanting to turn the page. Truly inspiring.
What’s your favorite yoga practice/pose and why?
My favorite yoga practice would be a guided Bhakti Yoga class. My heart soars during the devotional chant, meditation and practice that a Bhakti Yoga class has to offer. My favorite yoga pose is Supta Baddha Konasana or known as Reclining Bound Angle Pose. It brings a sense of rejuvenation as well as relaxation. I love how it creates openness in the body and calms the nervous system. Awwwwh.
What’s one secret that helps you stay healthy?
I read a book about 10 years ago called The Schwarzbein Principle: The Truth about Losing Weight, Being Healthy and Feeling Younger by Diana Schwarzbein. I found it through intense research on alternative healing as I was suffering with intense allergy and sinus issues, lost my sense of smell on top of completely unbalanced hormonally. I wasn’t concerned about the losing weight or turning back the clock so to speak, as I was about being my most healthy self. So my one secret to stay healthy? Paying attention to the whole body; what it needs on every level of health.
What’s something that currently inspires you?
I am inspired by the work done by people who care for the Earth and all its inhabitants. I am inspired by the intention of those who work to clean our water, our air and our soil. To create a better planet for the future. Their work touches my soul and inspires me to do my part in it.
What’s your favorite place to travel?
I love to travel, who doesn’t right? My favorite is Costa Rica. I love the way the people live; in a way that is connected to the Earth. They embrace their national mantra of “Pura Vida”; a Pure Life in all aspects of their living. My favorite place in Costa Rica is the Osa Peninsula, for me that was my National Geographic epic adventure.
Anything you want to share with our community?
I would love to share my favorite Sanskrit mantra.
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
It means: May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.
Can you share a favorite recipe?
Chicken Bryan
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
•kosher salt, to taste
•fresh ground pepper, to taste
•olive oil
•4 ounces goat cheese
•6 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
•2 -4 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
•4 teaspoons onions, minced
•4 teaspoons garlic, minced
•8 tablespoons butter, divided
•6 tablespoons white wine
•1⁄2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon’s worth) 1. Brush chicken on both sides with olive oil, season to taste with kosher salt and cracked pepper.
2. Grill chicken until done (internal temp of 165F) – prepare lemon butter sauce while chicken is grilling.
3. Sautee onion and garlic in 2 Tbps butter until soft and fragrant.
4. Add white wine and lemon juice, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes to reduce.
5. Add remaining 6 Tbsp butter, a little at a time, until it melts and mixture is emulsified.
6. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and basil, heat until hot (but do not overheat or sauce may break).
7. Top nearly-done chicken breasts with 2 oz each of the goat cheese until cheese warms and softens.
8.T o serve, spoon lemon butter sauce over chicken breasts.
9. Enjoy! I serve this dish with pasta tossed in butter or olive oil (the delicious lemon butter sauce will perfect it), garlic mashed potatoes and a green salad — yummmm!
