Community Highlights: Meet Lily Russo of Lily Russo Yoga and Ayurveda

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lily Russo

Hi Lily, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was introduced to yoga as a young teenager, and taking classes during high school helped me feel calm and confident. In 2008 at 22 years old I went to live in an ashram for a Yoga Teacher Training, which marked a big turning point for me in terms of my consciousness and health. It also introduced me to Ayurveda, the science of life and healing. I began to realize how disconnected I was, and most of us are in this modern world, to our bodies and to nature. I realized I often was sick as a child, and instead of addressing my immune system, was simply given antibiotics for things like recurrent ear infections and strep. I embarked on a gradual journey of learning more about how our lifestyle, diet, and choices affect our health, our minds, and our spirit. I continued to study yoga and ayurveda from many teachers. Now, I have a Master of Science in Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, lead Yoga Teacher Trainings, guide women’s retreats, and am passionate about teaching embodiment and wellness to anyone who wants to hear it, but I’m particularly passionate about working with women.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Life is not smooth! It’s bumpy and rough and twisty and sometimes sweet and easeful. The way I want to live doesn’t match up with the current paradigm of our culture. The information highway is stressful, stimulating, and confusing. As human beings we are meant to live in simplicity, in rhythm with nature, but our modern world requires us to speed along and over do everything: work, food, consumption. My desire to live in harmony with nature is often at odds with the demands of our modern world. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, Hashimotos, after a particularly stressful period, which gratefully I have been able to heal with Ayurveda and energetics.

Fortunately I have learned to be gentle with myself, to trust the universe, and to know so many tools and practices for balance daily. I like to think of balance as a verb, rather than a state. With the right knowledge, intuition, tools, we can tune in to our body’s messages to know what we need to heal and thrive.

As you know, we’re big fans of Lily Russo Yoga and Ayurveda. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
As an Ayurvedic Practitioner with a Master of Science degree in Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, as well as a long time devotee and teacher of the science of Yoga, I love to help people address root causes of imbalance and support optimal health. I primarily work with women who are ready to commit to their own health, growth, and self love.

Ayurveda is a system of individualized health, honoring the principles of nature, that has been practiced for thousands of years. Ayurveda is the ultimate Preventative Medicine, as it is able to predict and address future problems based on an understanding of causative factors. Though Ayurveda originated in India, its principals, based on Natural Law, are timeless and placeless. Ayurveda recognizes individual mind-body types that create unique health tendencies and needs. There is no one size all approach to wellness in Ayurveda.

I’d love to help you on your unique journey to wholeness through learning to balance body, mind and spirit. I work with individuals one on one, both virtually and in person.

I also LOVE to teach Ayurveda in a gentle, intuitive way. I lead a course called the Intuitive Ayurveda Deep Dive for people who are curious about ayurveda and ready to dive in to this ancient yet timeless healing wisdom. The next course starts in April and includes live sessions and a beautiful eBook.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
For several years in my twenties I worked as a model and tattoo artist!

Pricing:

• One-on-one Ayurvedic Wellness consultations are $150 and includes a detailed email treatment plan just for you.www.lilyrussoyoga.com/ayurveda-intake
• My Intuitive Ayurveda Deep Dive course is only $300 for 10 live sessions (recordings available), Ebook, and FB community. www.lilyrussoyoga.com/ayurvedadeepdive
• Retreats are priced anywhere from 600-2500. www.awakenedheart.org
• Wild Heart Women’s Gathering is an incredible 3 day retreat in SW Colorado with a dozen skilled women presenters in a gorgeous setting. www.awakenedheart.org/wildheart
• Yoga Teacher Training programs cost $2800. www.lilyrussoyoga.com/ytt

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lilyrussoyoga.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoga.art.lilyrusso/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilyJaulimaRusso/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LilyRussoYogaARTLife

Image Credits
Evie Joy Photography
Hailey Jane Schnieder