Silvia Mordini
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Meet Silvia Mordini Founder LIFE Inspired: Alchemy of Yoga, Alchemy Tours, Prescriptions for Happiness
We recently chatted with Teacher, Healer, Happiness Coach, Silvia Mordini, to find out more about what drives her creativity and stokes her joy. Silvia shares from her heart on how you can stand behind your own, true voice and make today the best day ever.
NAME: Silvia Mordini
EMAIL: silvia@silviamordini.com or silvia@alchemytours.com
WEBSITE/BLOG: silviamordini.com and alchemytours.com and alchemyofyoga.com
SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter/Instagram @Inspiredyogagal
PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/silviamordini/
Occupation: Writer, Happiness Coach, Adventure Addict, Spiritual Traveler, Teacher Trainer, Retreat Leader, Yogipreneur, Fashionable Yogi, Travel Junkie, Healer
Hometown: Chicago, IL (previously Quito, Ecuador)
Current Town: Seattle, WA (6 months per year)
Where has yoga taken you?
Yoga has taken me to the heart of my own joy. A place I feel as the beginning of the beginning of love. My practice began with asana as part of my recovery from a hit and run. I didn’t aspire to do wheel pose or handstand, all I hoped for was to be able brush my hair by myself.
From there, my investment in my own healing brought me to various wisdom traditions, all of which I’ve integrated to embody the tantric path. Yoga has taken me to a place of deepest awakening to life as a Bhakti Yogi. I am committed to loving myself, loving my day and loving my life.
And yes, yoga has literally brought me around the world from Costa Rica to Italy to Bali to teach from this place of sweetest devotion to inspire others to their greatest happiness. Happiness to me is the manifestation of love. It is the look of love.
What are the 4 most pivotal occasions in your career both in and outside of Yoga?
- Over 20 years ago Iwas in a hit and run that served as the catalyst for waking me up to the power of love to heal.
- While at the peak of my corporate career, that I adored, I decided to take an early retirement to focus full time on my already successful Chicagoland Yoga Studio, Total Body Yoga. This action felt incredibly liberating and was one of the most rewarding experiences I enjoyed for 10 years. I went on to turn over the studio to another steward a couple years ago so its legacy continues today!
- For the last 10 years I’ve offered an internationally Yoga Alliance recognized RYT 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. My Yoga School is known as Alchemy of Yoga. I had the vision of creating an integrated experience that was a reflection of my personal passion and practice both on and off the mat. The process of having a vision that took 5 years to make happen was love in action. I’ve now led that program 21 times from Chicago to Costa Rica to Seattle and more!
- On June 23, 2013 I suffered a level 3 Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI) that left me unable to see, write, cook, walk, let alone do downward dog. In a moment I unlearned everything I knew and started again. It was in fact the ultimate reset. I thought I was already awake and then I discovered there was more.
What do you never leave the house without?
I-phone, Mala beads (I know it sounds so stereotypical yogi, but it’s true), a pretty scarf and fun hat (you can dress up any outfit before or after yoga with the magic of a scarf and hat!)
Where are your favorite places to experience?
I’m traveling away from home 6 months of the year teaching yoga. My favorites are Bali, Costa Rica, Cambodia, Big Island Hawaii, Tuscany, Ischia, Ecuador, and Sedona.
What are the first three words that come to your mind when someone says: “grounded” or “connected?”
Peaceful, Happy, Loved.
We want to know what your typical morning looks like! What does your daily practice look like?
As soon as I’m awake I practice my daily mantra: “I love myself, I am love, I offer love, I receive love. May I be empty so love flows through me.” Before leaving bed I sit up and silently meditate for at least 11 – 30 minutes and then in the evening before bed. Meditation is the anchor to my daily practice.
Then I chant the Venus, Saturn or Moon Mantras to set my energy. I get up do my Ayurvedic morning rituals known as dinacharya and then enjoy a decaf chai tea soy latte, read something inspirational and then practice some asana. While many recommend asana before meditation, I prefer the other way around. In comparison to my meditation routine, my asana practice is organic, different every day based on how my heart and body need to be nourished.
In the morning I usually prepare my class for that day (theming, playlist and sequencing) when I feel the most creative. Then I make progress on the many articles I’m writing simultaneously for weekly publication like Mantra Magazine, Do You Yoga, MindBodyGreen, and Yoganonymous amongst others. Finally, I start revving up all social media for Alchemy of Yoga and Alchemy Tours and check a gazillion emails until I need a break and go for a walk where I do my mantra practice with my malas. My favorite mantra is Aham Prema.
What is one mantra that is like a remedy for your soul?
Aham Prema. I am love.
I see with love, I think with love, I move in love, I live as love, love is me, I am love.
How do you channel your inner 5 year old?
I color or draw every day. I stay in the practice of it even it means simply creating mandala after mandala. It keeps me connected to sacred fun and tapped into the pure joy of doing something for pleasure. Did I mention I use crayons too? I also love vision boarding (check out my article on how to) and cutting things up with kid safety scissors. I’m pretty much the worst at cutting straight lines.
Tell us one fun fact about yourself.
My ears have been pierced since I was 2 days old. It’s tradition in Ecuador where I was born, and it was a good thing too because my hair grew slow. This is how people could tell I was a girl. Also I have no tattoos. I love them, just can’t commit to any one so keep waiting.
What is your favorite pose to teach in your classes? And why?
The hardest poses aren’t asanas. The hardest pose of all is being ourselves. Without awareness and knowledge of self-identity you will always feel internally chaotic. Knowing the answer to “Who Am I” brings internal and eternal peace. There are also my other two favorite poses: Loving Yourself and Accepting others. I love teaching these in every class so that the way we make yoga can become the way we live our lives.
If you’re not on a yoga mat, where can we find you?
Either on my laptop on the couch when I’m at home (by the beach if I’m traveling) or going for really long walks along the beach finding more shells or special rocks to take home with me. I also love watching movies so you’ll find me at those cool theaters where you can have prosecco during the movie. I love that. I should also mention you will find me shopping small boutiques for that one magical dress.
