Ep. 27 Taking Up Space with Dorcas McWilliams and Kristina Molinari
What does it mean to take up space, both physical and energetically? This is the question that underlies this conversation with Dorcas Quynn McWilliams and Kristina Molinari, two of my teachers from Sol Yoga. They both draw from their unique viewpoints, one of living across the world, and the other of moving into a tiny house, to infuse deep wisdom into what it means to navigate boundaries, vulnerability and life transitions.
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Guests Featured On This Episode
DORCAS QUYNN MCWILLIAMS
After a childhood filled with daily karate lessons, Bible readings, weekly goal sheets, homeschooling and non traditional living arrangements, in 1998 Dorcas set foot on a yoga mat and something shifted. She knew immediately she was hooked. She also knew she was a little bit afraid of becoming a vegan-eating-hippie that spews new age rhetoric and loves everyone. But she dove in head first anyway as there was a real passion and a calling. After 20 years of study and practice, her worst fears have come true, but she is no longer afraid. In fact, she is more inspired, powerful and alive by the transformative practice of yoga than she has ever been. Her small understanding of herself in the world has been radically expanded, first through the physical practice of yoga and the study of yoga and Ayurveda (sister science of yoga) with masters and teachers around the world. Then her years of traveling to far flung places with her life long partner, Adam, enlightened her understanding of humanity and peaked her interest in human psychology and the role of religion and spirituality in life. Rooting into home between 2008-2013, she transitioned from maiden to mother during the home births of her 3 kids, which ultimately opened a doorway to a much deeper, life changing relationship with yoga and life. A dedicated practice of meditation became a necessity and in this most recent phase, Dorcas employs all the tools of yoga (physical, mental, spiritual) to (attempt to) lead a balanced, inspired life.
Dorcas is a wearer of many hats and has enjoyed successes in many careers, but she is always a student and a teacher. Currently she is serving her growing children and hard working husband while remotely owning and directing the operations of multiple yoga studios and training programs at Solyoga.org in Frederick, Maryland USA. Her move across the world New Caledonia in 2014 has had a profound impact on her life and introduced her to new people and deep relationships. The shift has also rekindled her love of travel and adventure and expanded her teaching engagements to include global retreats. Despite her transient life and many hats, you’ll find her to be very down to earth.
KRISTINA MOLINARI
Kristina Molinari, E-RYT 500, has been a student of yoga since 1998, living and learning in San Francisco, Los Angeles and on the East coast again. Kristina received her 200RYT under teacher, Patty Ivey, with Downdog Yoga in D.C. and her 500RYT at the Kripalu Center. Yin Yoga has found a special place in Kristina's heart after learning from teacher Biff Mithoefer while at Yogaville. Kristina is also certified in Trauma Sensitive Yoga and Aerial Yoga Level 1 & 2. Keeping humility at the forefront of her practice, whether Yin or Yang, Kristina guides her students to celebrate, heal and love our human experience!
Kristina teaches yoga at Sol.Yoga.