The Photo Narrative is a project near and dear to our hearts. Photo Narrative is a series of images and interviews that share a story about people who work on something inspired from their heart and do so with passion and joy! Today we have the privilege to introduce you to some amazing, strong, beautiful women and a studio that unites them.
Kristina (co-owner of Studio 543 Yoga Inferno, you definitely need to check them out), Maria (all around awesome friend, free spirit, crazy talented and creative individual and yoga instructor) and Jackie (dear friend, kind heart and yoga enthusiast) joined us for a shoot to tell their story as well as model some wonderful yoga equipment from Zen Active (be sure to check their products out as well).
Meet Kristina, she is the biggest neat freak you’ve ever seen. Also, Kristina and her sister Natasha are the heart and soul of Studio 543 Yoga Inferno. It has been our pleasure to get to know Kristina and share a little of her amazing spirit and fervor with you.
Q: Who are you? (Not just your name, rather, how would your soul describe you?)
A: My name is Kristina. My soul would describe me as someone that would go to the end of the earth for answers. I am very much a question asker.
Q: What do you do?
A: I just opened a hot yoga studio with my sister Natasha (aka Sissy)
Q: Why are you doing this?
A: I asked myself if there was one thing I could do every day for the rest of my life, what would it be…and this was my answer!
Q: What is your favorite band?
A: There are so many, but, I love Florence and the Machine.
Q: What are you reading right now?
A: Are you there, Vodka? It’s me Chelsea. She is hysterical.
Q: What’s the next movie you really want to see?
A: I haven’t had time to watch much TV. Lately, so I don’t even know what is out, but my husband always finds something interesting for us on Netflix.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: My husband. He has a kind heart; I don’t think he has a bad bone in his body. My parents. They are honestly the hardest working people I have ever met in my life, I would be lost without them and my sister, she has 4 kids, I don’t know how she keeps it together!
Q: How can people follow you pursuing your passion?
A: On Facebook.com/studio543 and Instagram @Studio543yogainferno
Q: How can people engage or participate in this passion?
A: They can come in for classes! Check out our schedule on our website Studio543yoga.com
Q: If you had something you could ask for (doesn’t matter how crazy), what would it be?
A: I love shoes so I would go crazy and have a house filled with shoes…expensive shoes! I would also travel the world.
Q: What is something super-awesome that you can do that not too many people know about?
A: I can curl my eyelashes without looking in the mirror. I do them both at the same time. When my nieces watch me do it they tell me I look crazy!
Q: What’s next for Studio 543 and what is your biggest dream for 2014?
A: We hope that Studio 543 continues to grow, we have had a great first month and we hope to continue to share our passion with the community! We love what we do and we hope that reaches as many people as possible.
Q: Behind any high expectation for success is an equal fear of failure. Courage is refusing to let the fear stop you. What inspires your brightest courage?
A: Not letting fear get in the way of your dreams. You have to follow your heart. If you are passionate about something you have to go for it no matter what, everything else will fall into place!
Meet Maria, she seriously has the most amazing curly hair you’ve ever seen. (I am constantly jealous of her locks) Maria is also an amazing instructor at Studio 543. It has been our pleasure to get to know her as a successful woman and dear friend, and to share her beautiful/amazing spirit and fervor with you.
Q: Who are you? (Not just your name, rather, how would your soul describe you?)
A: All in all, I’m just trying to have a good time.
Q: What do you do?
A: I’m a Copy Director for an advertising agency and a registered yoga instructor.
Q: Why are you doing this?
A: I’m doing this because I love new experiences and it pushes me out of my comfort zone.
Q: What is your favorite band?
A: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Q: What are you reading right now?
A: Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmull
Q: What’s the next movie you really want to see?
A: Is it bad that I have no idea? I don’t have a TV so I don’t really ever know what’s going on.
Q: Who inspires you?
A: people who are free, people who can forgive, people who can cook really well without recipes
Q: How can people follow you pursuing your passion?
A: well that’s a fun question! By coming to my class, of course. You can also literally follow me @mariaiannarino and you’ll get a good idea of what I’m about.
Q: How can people engage or participate in this passion.
A: By rolling out the mat—we’re all connected and every time we practice, together or apart, we are one. It helps is remember that “we” is better that “I” and that there is nothing else but love.
Q: If you had something you could ask for (doesn’t matter how crazy), what would it be?
A: A transportation device that allowed me to travel anywhere in a second. Or a hair de-frizzer. Or a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream
Q: What is something super-awesome that you can do that not too many people know about?
A: I’m a really good kisser, but I’m a prude so no one knows.
Q: What’s next for you and what is your biggest dream for 2014?
A: you know, I’ve already accomplished most of my dreams for this year. I wanted the last year of my twenties to be filled with moving forward. So I got my yoga teacher training, went to Jamaica, got promoted, and paid off my car. I have an awesome job at an ad agency and as a yoga teacher. the only thing left is finding love. So I guess it’s that. My biggest dream is to be in love.
Q: Behind any high expectation for success is an equal fear of failure. Courage is refusing to let the fear stop you. What inspires your brightest courage?
A: Knowing that the one who has always been, who has seen much worse that this, is still here.
Meet Jackie (@jacalish). She is a designer, an observer and one of the kindest souls you will ever meet! I am proud to call her my friend.
Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! We think you are awesome in every way and love sharing your brilliance with others.
Nice… Carry-on, Smartly!