Inspirational Indiyogis: Rita & Joanna

Indigo Yoga's
Inspirational Indiyogi's

Meet Rita Cook and Joanna Shaw, our best of friends within the studio. Many of you who know these two would probably assume that Rita and Joanna have been close friends since childhood. They have the most natural connection with each other and always seem to be by each other's side. Little do you know, Rita and Joanna met just one year ago right here at Indigo Yoga! Many of us can say we have met some of our closest friends here at Indigo, but this relationship is one that sticks out to us and the kind, loving and positive attitudes of this pair inspire us to be genuinely good friends too!

Summer of 2014 Rita moved to New Jersey from Virginia and had only been here a few weeks when she drove past Indigo Yoga. She looked IY up online and saw the different things offered as far as classes, yoga in the park and a girl’s night out. Realizing the girls night out was the next day, she messaged Indigo for more information and Steph immediately invited her to the class before followed by the girl’s night out. Rita went and met all of the yogi girls at Indigo. Joanna sat across from her and they immediately kicked it off by talking about being teachers. Their friendship immediately blossomed, and as soon as the very next day they started walking to classes together, going to dinner, and discovering common interests.

Aside from their friendship, these individuals are inspirational for so many other reasons! Joanna is passionate about fashion and has recently started sharing her styling talent with social media- check out her Instagram to track her fun outfits!
Rita has been practicing yoga for almost three years and has found a love for acroyoga... a passion which she shares with her fiancé, George. "George and I were listening to music one day and watching old music videos. A song came on about popping it on a handstand. Completely inappropriate, but I wanted to try. I instantly learned how to do headstands. For the months to follow, I perfected my headstands and moved on to wall handstands. I started following people on Instagram doing yoga and immediately fell in love. Yoga started as something fun and different for me to do. It wasn’t until almost a year later that it really started affecting my life mentally. Yoga to me now is about the strength physically, patience and calming of the mind." Now you can check out her instagram to see all of the fun things she and George have learned! Rita and George have tried getting Joanna on the acroyoga band-wagon with success (Yea we saw you do that awesome headstand/shoulder stand up on Miriam's feet at Indigo Yoga's acroyoga workshop in March!)

Joanna has been practicing yoga for almost 10 years. Before finding yoga, she had always been pretty active either running, dancing, or swimming. After graduating college she had a few injuries from a surfing accident and a car accident and the doctor recommended pilates to strengthen her core. A few years later a friend suggested she try a vinyasa yoga. "I went to my first class and was intimidated by everyones flexibility and strength. I didn’t let that discourage me. We all have to start somewhere. After continuing my own practice yoga became natural to me and helped in ways pilates never could. It combined my body, mind, and spirit to achieve movements that once seemed intimidating to me. I felt accomplished. Every yoga studio is different but the one thing remains the same, your body is the temple for your practice. Yoga has helped me in times of stress and joy."

We asked Rita and Joanna if they have a personal mantra they like to focus on while practicing yoga...

Rita's mantra is always "patience, strength, and happiness. The patience for if you don’t have a pose, you eventually will. I bring patience off the mat but setting my intentions while on the mat. The strength physically within your body to continue even when you’re ready to fall over. And to smile. Let your happiness flow to others and always remember everything happens for a reason."   Rita shares with us that she uses these intentions outside of yoga too. "Moving to New Jersey was a huge adjustment for me with leaving my family, friends and an amazing job. Daily I remind myself of the patience I need to work with 3-4 year olds, my co-workers, and adjusting to the fast paced honking people around. Yoga gives me the light of being happy in times when I throw my hands up and want to cry."

Joanna dedicates her practice to "love, strength, and letting go of what you cannot change. I feel we can all use some love so for me I like to take some for myself and send the rest out to my fellow yogis or anyone in my life in need of the extra support. It is important to feel powerful in my own mind, body, and spirit. We all have times of stress and being able to let that go is healthy." Yoga has also helper her become stronger and has been able to alleviate the pain of my neck and back.

When chatting about who they are inspired by....

Rita is inspired by people who are happy, positive, hardworking and dedicated. "I enjoy being around good vibed people that have a goal in mind. I have found many people in our world are not this way, so those who are, inspire me. I grew up in a household that had these qualities and it’s always been my mindset to try to be the same."

Joanna is inspired by people who are kind, soft, and gentle and those who can teach her something new, whether it be a new yoga pose, a way of thinking, or new ideas and information. "Being able to completely be me is important and people who bring out the best version of me are priceless. Those are the people I want in my life."
Favorite Poses....

Rita's favorite pose is pigeon because it allows her to relax while enjoying a great hip opener. It can be an intense stretch at times, but breathing through the discomfort lets you release and surrender.

Joanna loves all sorts of inversions. "I love the feeling of accomplishment after trying something challenging and succeeding. It feels good to push yourself to try things you once thought would never be possible."

All of us at Indigo Yoga are so grateful to have Rita and Joanna and it has been so inspiring to watch their friendship blossom with each other and with others at IY. We are sad to announce that Rita and George will be headed back to their families and hometown of Virginia Beach this June. A few of us will be gathering to throw Rita and George a "going-away" dinner before they head home. Let us know if you'd like to join us!

"I am very sad to see Rita and George leave NJ, they have definitely been the earth angels sent to me at the perfect time in my life. They have taught me so much in such a little time. It will be hard to see them go. I have definitely become a stronger person in my journey of life." - Joanna

"My friendship with Jo and everyone at Indigo Yoga has truly been rewarding and the best thing about my move to Jersey. If I hadn’t found this yoga studio, I honestly would not have made it through the winter or working at the daycare center here. I cannot explain my gratitude and happiness that everyone has given me. There were times that I broke down and cried for how bad I wanted to go home and see my family. Indigo became my family and I will be forever grateful I met all of you. Thank you so much for deepening my practice of yoga and being truly amazing people." - Rita