Sybel Sierra RYT is really familiar with the Lehigh Valley area because she grew up across the river in Phillipsburg NJ and now lives in Easton PA. She currently works for a Financial Services company in NYC. Her typical work-week consists of meeting impossible deadlines with a “whatever it takes” attitude. Needless to say, the more stress she felt, the more she gravitated towards that unhealthy and unsustainable lifestyle called “cocktails and cheetos”. Sybel grew to realize that yoga was the only way she’d find that necessary balance in her life by obtaining some semblance of mental calmness.
After years of trying many yoga styles, she immediately fell in love with Ashtanga Yoga in 2005 because the practice was physically challenging and it required some form of mental discipline. With a consistent yoga practice, Sybel transformed as an individual; her body got stronger and her mind less “cluttered”. And even though the stress level of her job didn’t diminish, she’s able to manage her work-week with an effortless smile.
Eager to share the benefits of this yoga with others, Sybel completed her 200-hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Certification in 2009. The challenges that she faced in yoga initially (e.g. inflexibility, tightness, inability) turned into a gift because Sybel developed the keen awareness to translate her lessons learned to her students through thoughtful tips, technique, & proper alignment. Although she teaches throughout the Lehigh Valley, Sybel still sees herself as an Ashtanga student so she maintains that same eagerness to learn. She actively studies with Manju Jois and plans to continue traveling back to India to study with Sharath Rangaswamy. She is a student of Sanskrit Studies and Yoga Philosophy with Manorama. Sybel has heart-felt gratitude to her many teachers who influenced her both on & off the mat.
