Sport & Fitness Spotlight: Patricia Velloza – Yoga Teacher, NYC Lifeguard

Spotlight: Patricia Velloza

Hello readers,

I pray that everyone is staying safe and cool through this extremely hot summer season; as someone who was born and raised in Southern Brooklyn, I am lucky enough to live a few minutes walk from one of the lovely beaches which we’re blessed to have as a part of our amazing city. Though my schedule is extremely packed with clients, I try to get myself to the beach a few times a week, even if it’s just for an hour or so each time.

On one of said beaches is where I was lucky enough to meet my wonderful friend, Patricia, aka Pat. I was extremely impressed by Pat’s devotion to her lifesaving (literally) job—being one of the most seasoned lifeguards in NYC. Pat isn’t just a great lifeguard—she’s also one of the most accomplished Yoga Masters that I’ve come across! Holding multiple certifications within the Yogi realm, including aerial Yoga and Reiki, Pat is kind enough to share her mastery with others—right on the beach!

Have you ever tried Yoga on the beach? It’s next level amazing! Truth be told, I was barely able to keep up with my beach Yogi sista-from-another-mista, but wow—did I feel great after her tutorial! Above all else, Pat is a model human being, helping anyone that may require her help—from teaching complimentary Yoga sessions to running an incredible nonprofit in Thailand where she helps out dozens of disabled people in dire need of food and supplies. Pat is an all-star in a multitude of ways; it was truly a privilege to pick her beautiful mind for some pearls of wisdom…

1) Please share with us how you got into yoga…

“My yoga journey started by accident back when I was a teenager, when a friend of mine invited me to a yoga class; to be honest… I thought it would be funny to make fun of the “hippies,” but my perception quickly changed. After my first class, I felt amazing, and started going once a week, every week. Years later after practicing yoga regularly I decided to go to Thailand and do my Yoga Teacher Training, it was one of the best decisions of my life!”

2) What positive effects do you see in yourself from your yoga training?

“Yoga has drastically helped with my ADHD and my ability to be and feel present, conscious, and content in the moment. This is something which I’ve always struggled with as a kid—anxiety and depression. Yoga fed my spiritual journey in ways I never knew were possible. I had always been a very spiritual person as a youth…mostly into pagan traditions, but yoga helped me to open the spiritual door to my body. Bringing awareness to my movements and breath gave me the tools I needed to defeat my anxiety and depression.

“Yoga taught me how to meditate, and how to be still, which is one of the greatest tools for existing as a person. The physical effects of my yoga practice have also been so helpful for me, as a competitive swimmer and overall super active person, I had always been very “go go go,” but my yoga helps me to go and be slow and actually feel into my body and give it what it needs. I always say, “Stretching is the most important meal of the day”—you need to feed your muscles what they need to perform, and with stretching, the blood flow drastically improves circulation which will help anyone to perform at their greatest potential. Although yoga is so much more than stretching, all aspects have made me a better, happier, and healthier person.”

3) What are some of your favorite yoga techniques to do with clients?

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“My favorite type of yoga to teach is a combination between Vinyasa, Hatha, and Yin. I love incorporating a smooth flow but also inviting stillness, slowness, and of course breathing techniques. Incorporating pranayama/ breathwork into my yoga classes is something I bring to every class or self practice, as it helps everyone from beginners to veterans to become more present and in the moment; which is my #1 goal for my students and myself. I also love inviting props into the practice; blocks, pillows, straps—all help to ease body tension and invite the student to fully embrace each asana in the way that their body is able to at that time.

“Another type of yoga I absolutely love teaching is aerial yoga and inviting all these techniques with the support from a swing; it’s so beautiful and helpful for everyone to have extra support. With aerial yoga, I love to invite stillness and a look beyond the cool looking poses, and whatever perception people may have of Aerial; instead focusing on the purpose of each posture and fully allowing the swing to carry/hold you; accomplishing this while truly feeling your body in the present moment, it’s such a beautiful thing!”

4) How/why did you begin lifeguarding?

I started lifeguarding at age 17; I was on the high school swim team and it was kind of the thing everyone on the swim team was doing once they were of age. I never wanted to work on a beach because of sand and fear of Sharks—which is funny considering now—15 years later sand is a huge part of my life; ironically, I’ve been swimming with sharks in the wild in Thailand with no fear at all!”

5) Please share with us one of your favorite inspirational quotes…

“In every life we have some trouble, but when you worry you make it double; don’t worry, be happy” – Bobby Mcferrin.

As cliché as the quote seems, it helped me a lot as a teenager struggling with depression; one day I was listening to the song and it hit me: in life there will always be suffering, it’s inevitable; but, once you start to worry about these troubles you actually make them worse—you double the trouble! It’s a beautiful message and a beautiful song; so don’t worry, be happy!”

Wow, thank you, Pat! This was a truly magnificent interview and I hope that it helped all of you wonderful readers see that there’s always a light at the end of any tunnel; so…”don’t worry, be happy!”

You may checkout Pat’s nonprofit at trangwheelchairsociety.org

All donations will go directly to the organization; please give what you can and/or share.

If interested in Yoga sessions, Pat’s direct email is: [email protected]

Wishing everyone health and happiness!

Your friendly neighborhood trainer,

Andre Zemnovitsch

Banner Image: Pat Velloza in session. All Images Credit – Patricia Velloza