Conversations with Rebecca Leary

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Leary.

Hi Rebecca , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my career as an arts administrator, producing dance, theater and performance art–first in New York City, then Atlanta. When I started having kids, I became a massage therapist, and focused on prenatal and postpartum massage. I founded Mother-to-Mother Massage & Yoga Therapy 25 years ago, and began teaching prenatal yoga in 2013. I became a certified yoga therapist in 2017, and started teaching yoga for cancer in 2018. I am co-leader of Mindful Moments, a daily meditative offering at the intersection of community and Jewish contemplative practice, and currently serve as Chair of the Board of Directors of SOJOURN: the Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender & Sexual Diversity.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been smooth and bumpy, circuitous and straight-forward, and has led me to this place and time with so much richness and joy. Through moving cities and parts of the country, having kids. dealing with physical challenges and changes, aging, and changing priorities and influences, my career of nearly 40 years represents my soul’s journey through life.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For 25 years, I’ve worked to create sacred space to explore mind, body & breath in community–with nurturing and support. Through Rebecca Leary Yoga, I offer Therapeutic Yoga+Meditation, specializing in Meditation, Yoga for Cancer, Yoga for Seniors, Accessible Yoga, and yoga/meditation/chant through a Jewish lens. My classes are available virtually, on my YouTube channel, and in studios, schools and centers around the Atlanta metro area.

Like many people, I first came to yoga as a physical practice, and quickly learned the many ways that yoga can change lives. Yoga is much more than physical postures. It’s great for both strengthening and stretching the body, but it is the strengthening and stretching of mind, body and breath through Asana, Meditation and Pranayama that gives yoga healing properties. In private practice, I work with individuals seeking balance in mind, body & breath, through yoga, yoga therapy, meditation, and bodywork.

What matters most to you?
This is a very difficult time in our world, and my job is often to hold space for folks as they wrestle with the complexities of modern life. Creating community, bridging differences and taking steps forward are shared responsibilities we all must embrace. We offer the merits of this practice to the wisdom of our collective consciousness, and together, we can forge a path to healing.

I offer my metta meditation, to myself, to others, to all creatures and Mother Earth herself:

May I know peace
May my heart remain open
May I awaken to the light of my true nature
May I find healing
May I be a source of healing for others
May I know peace

Pricing:

• Most of my offerings are free to the public. My yoga for cancer classes are supported by Cancer Support Community of Atlanta.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://RebeccaLeary.com
• Instagram: rebeccalearyyoga
• Facebook: rebeccalearyyoga
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/rebecca-leary-safon-6b06ab17
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccaleary-exploremindbo2759

Image Credits
Hope Mullett, Rebecca Leary, Jessica Lily, Rebecca Leary, Rebecca Leary, Hope Mullett, Jessica Lily, Hope Mullett