Roey Ficaro
Instructor Interviews
With Roey Ficaro
How were you first introduced to yoga?
I heard about a woman teaching yoga in the library of my kids primary school. It was in the 80’s and something I wanted to experience. My friend & I went, it was evening when we entered the darkened library with candles and 6 mexican blankets were laid out. We meditated and practiced yoga to some very cool Indian music..I remember floating home feeling a very new feeling of connection & peacefullness like never before
What made you decide to move beyond being a student to become a teacher?
I began a search for yoga classes..there were very few back then. I found a studio not far from where I lived in Westchester Called Katonah Yoga. The teacher Nevine Michaan taught Hatha Yoga combined with Taoist Theory & Sacred Geometry. Nevine took me under her wing and I became hooked. We were an amazing little community where I made lifelong connections. My exploration of the yoga world brought me to many trainings at Kripalu & Omega. I met my next teacher few teachers at a yoga journal conference in Kripalu where I went often. Todd Norian was one who trained me in Yoga Therapy & my 1st teacher training cert. I later met John Friend there as well. He was not well known at the time but inspired me to follow him into the Anusara system of yoga & became my main teacher for many years. I followed him all over the country participating in his many trainings to eventually get certified by in Anusara. I also became a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Mentor & Practitioner. I am grateful to all my teachers including Judith Lasater, Sally Kempton, Gurumayi, Douglas Brooks, Rodney Yee, Amy Ipolitti & others.
What were you doing before you taught yoga?
I worked as a clinical social worker in middle & high schools years after obtaining my Masters from Columbia & eventually landed at SUNY Purchase where I started a Wellness Center for students in need of substance abuse counseling using yoga/meditation as a prevention modality. I also had a part time private psychotherapy practice which I continue to this day. My teacher always said “don't give up your day job” Great advice especially now! I was very fortunate to find a way to combine the two.
How has your yoga practice changed since you began?
My personal practice has changed as my age and body have changed into an older & wiser self. I still maintain a challenging practice with much more ease in my poses in order avoid injury. Restorative & Meditation has helped my body/mind/spirit in so many ways. Especially in these challenging times!
Is there a particular aspect of yoga you are especially intrigued with right now?
I am intrigued right now with any yoga that keeps me out of activation. Restorative, Sound Therapy, Meditation & Movement where I can jump around, dance, sweat to shift out of negative energy especially in the past 8 months of so much divisiveness, isolation, depression & anxiety.
What else have you studied in depth?
My clinical work with psychotherapy clients has inspired me to study many different modalities over many years to help facilitate my own personal healing in order to be more effective as a practitioner with clients. Studying & becoming certified in Restorative Yoga, Hypnotherapy, Somatic Experience Trauma work, Aromatherapy, Reiki, Shamanic Work, Yogic Philosophy, Family Systems & Past Life has added many tools into my clinical toolbox.
What are some of your other practices or passions?
I love working with essential oils and became certified as an aromatherapist. This passion turned into a small business of creating products I call skin food. Sea Gypsy Botanicals consist of Body Polish, Gypsy Body Oil, Face Serum, Germ Fighter, Aromatherapy blends & more which I sell at Springs Farmers Market & some small shops locally. I also love Golfing, Boating & Paddle-boarding.
When you really need grounding what do you do?
Playing with my dogs or grandkids, swimming in the ocean or bay, my yoga/Meditation practice, jumping on my little boat Sea Gypsy for a cruise on our beautiful Gardiners Bay or paddle-boarding with water below & sky above. Immersing myself in nature in any way I can does it every time! I am blessed with all the choices all around me.
Anything else you'd like to share?
I feel so grateful to live by the water where I can sit and feel nature with all my senses.….it is my healing place where I can connect with myself at a deeper level and with the bigger energy as it embraces & heals my mind/body/spirit.
Thank you
Roey