Yogi Q & A: Marietta Pucillo



1. What brought you to the practice of yoga? I practiced in my 20s in NYC but had not done any yoga for many years. 19 years ago I got injured body building and my back was in very bad shape for several years. 15 years ago I was going through some tough emotional times as well and someone suggested I might try yoga again to help my back and quiet my mind. I took a few classes with a really wonderful Iyengar teacher here in Milwaukee and I got hooked. It soon became my life and my passion.

2. Who are some of your yoga teachers? The teacher I took my first classes with in Milwaukee was Linda Owen. I have since studied with Ana Forrest, Desiree Rumbaugh, Todd Norian, Sean Corn, Barron Baptiste, David Swenson, Gia Perrone, just to name a few of my influences.

3. How would you describe the form of yoga you teach currently? I mix a blend of Anusara, Iyengar and Forrest Yoga. I really do tailor my classes to whoever is in them so my style often changes depending on the population I am teaching.

4. Where do you teach? I own YamaYoga and teach several classes at my studio. I also teach six classes a week in Oak Creek at a health club, two classes a week at the Harley Davidson Museum for their staff, a senior chair class for St. John’s on the Lake, two Alzheimers classes at two different locations, and one class a week out in Brookfield at Absolute Pilates

5. Why do you teach? I love sharing and bringing the benefits and techniques of yoga to as many people as possible, but particularly to those who either have never been exposed or never thought they could do yoga. It also calms my mind to teach yoga. I love watching the change in people once yoga is inside them and a part of their lives.

6. How do you describe what yoga is? I always describe it as a system to calm the mind and tone the body through breathing, meditation and the physical Asana. A true mind, body and spirit union.

7. What aspect of yoga do you personally want to explore more deeply? I would like to explore the more meditative side and the Tantric side of yoga. I have done most of the aggressive, physical aspects but those other areas are more elusive to me.

8. What are your thoughts on the growing popularity of yoga? I think it is great. If everyone did yoga and lived their Yamas and Niyamas we would have a much better world, and a healthier one.

9. What are your hobbies? Hiking, motorcycling, cycling, rescuing and raising dogs and birds, but really all animals, and kayaking.

10. What is something unique or quirky about you that not many people know about? Most people know that I am a born and raised NYC Italian who teaches yoga by day and evening and rides a motorcycle and loves tattoos. I was raised in the city and have my business in an urban environment but would much rather be out in the woods hiking with my dogs or sitting in front of a fire with my biker girlfriends telling rude stories and laughing.

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Comment by Claire Stillman on February 20, 2013 at 7:47am

I love this picture of Marietta (at the 2012 Milwaukee Global Mala):

© 2013   Created by Claire Stillman.

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