Paisley O'Shea

RYT-200, RYT-300

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born and raised right here in Ventura! It was the best place to grow up.

TELL US A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOUR PERSONAL PRACTICE
Once upon a time... I couldn't touch my toes.

Flash back to seven years ago, a naive little high school paisley walks into her first yoga class at my local gym. I found comfort in the back right corner of the room, finding my oasis in hiding. Feeling SO insecure and nervous for what's to come. Whispering to myself "it's just stretching, how hard can this be, YOURE FINE". 

I was not fine.

I was so unaware of the intricacies of my own body. Even though I moved my body every day at swim practice—the reason why I wanted to dabble in yoga, to lengthen my stroke--  I was so stinking stiff! Like EMBARRASSING (so I thought). My forward folds held an arched spine and I was MILES away from touching my toes. My downward dogs were stiff challenging with my heels far from the earth. Meanwhile the the front row yogi was basically doing backflips and bending in half— stirring my competitive nature and flooding my bones with a sense of incompetence and failure. My first REAL noticeable battle with comparison. And then to end in stillness while lying down?? final savasana was WEIRD.

To be frank, I hated every minute of my first yoga class.

However, some sort of magic happened. My body felt open. It was like a surge of energy was roaming untamed throughout my bones?? What is this sorcery?

I took advantage of the free classes my gym membership granted and became consistent with my practice. 

The more I practiced, the less I needed to watch the teacher, and the more I was able to tune into my own body. That was the golden ticket. Touching my toes did not happen overnight. It happened with YEARS of practice and sometimes I can't even touch my toes now! Our bodies are constantly ebbing and flowing.

Surrendering to the journey and allowing myself to move freely was IT— the beauty and alchemy of the practice began to unfold. And I have never looked back. 

TELL US A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOUR TEACHING EXPERIENCE
I began my teaching journey actually teaching mat pilates at the same local gym I took my first yoga class with! Teaching quickly became my passion and I was always intrigued on deepening my own personal yoga practice with taking a teacher training program. Sure enough, an opportunity for me to study yoga for a month for my 200 hour yoga teacher training in Thailand came to fruition and I decided to take the leap! Diving deeper into the philosophy and intention behind yoga was eye opening and inspired me to become a better practitioner. I wanted to make yoga fun for even the anti- yoga peeps! 

I started teaching immediately when I got home and then craved for more knowledge. I moved to New Zealand for a few years and decided to dedicate a month to attain my 300hr yoga teacher training. This practice was heavily geared towards meditation and yin whereas my 200 hour training was very much so hatha and vinyasa based. I have been able to combine the yin and the yang within my teachings, and I cannot wait to see where this path expands me further. I will always be in the seat of the student. 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE YOGA POSE?
Supported reclined butterfly (blocks and bolsters are a must!) I love this posture for it opens up my favorite gateways—the hips and the heart.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE YOGA/SPIRITUALITY/SELF HELP BOOK?

Becoming Supernatural by Joe Dispenza. This book is literal magic! It reminds us of how powerful our thoughts truly are and how we can create alchemy through meditation and manifest the future we all crave, deserve, and desire. I cannot recommend it enough!

ANY ADVICE FOR BEGINNERS?
Be compassionate with yourself! You are exactly where you need to be in this moment of time. allow the alchemy to unfold with each breath. Always returning to love. 

WHAT DOES “COMMUNITY” MEAN TO YOU?
Community means feeling safe, accepted, included, and loved for exactly who you are by your surrounding people. A tribe that can help you find solace, peace, and be a seed of inspiration for overall growth. 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT VENTURA?
The beautiful people and exceptional weather! Clinging on to the small town charm I grew up with as long as I can! This is such a special place to be. 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION?
I love Surfrider Foundation! As a big ole' beach baby and ocean minded individual, I am passionate about our dear big blue. This organization is fully in alignment to helping keep this vital ecosystem thriving.