T E A C H E R S P R O F I L E
YOGItimes magazine for the modern yogi
by Lisa Maria
When she was sixteen, Nubia moved from the rural Brazilian countryside to São Paulo (the third largest city in the world) to pursue a dream of acting but also to practice yoga. Nubia didn’t consider yoga as a career until she was packing for this move. All of the books she owned were about yoga, and none were about acting. “The universe was telling me something, so I opened that door,” she says.
Nubia dove into Bhakti and Hatha Yoga; learning mantra, pranayama, kriya, asana, meditation and relaxation practices. Then for six years, she studied all aspects of yoga practice and philosophy with the great Brazilian teacher, De Rose. She earned certifications in Brazil, as well as studying yoga in many other countries, including India.
However, it wasn’t until she met her guru, Lama Gangchen Rinpoche, that yoga became a deep practice of devotion for her. “When I met Lama Gangchen, I felt that blessing of reunion with pure light. I felt like I was brought back home when I started doing Tibetan Buddhist practices. Lama Gangchen taught me to make everything I do a healing experience.”
Nubia became a successful teacher in Brazil, with packed classes and private celebrity clients. She expanded her studies with Reiki and Odissi, a form of Classical Indian dance. Many would settle in and enjoy the ride, but not Nubia. “According to my astrological map, a big change was coming, so I was watching and waiting,” she says, smiling.
That big change came in the form of Jai. They fell in love after she invited him to Brazil to lead a workshop. Three years ago, Nubia moved to the United States to be with him, and they married soon after. “Being with Jai just feels right. I have my path and Jai has his path, and when we are together, there is a third being that is created – love. All the parts that were missing are now complete.”
While adjusting to her new home, Nubia studied Thai Massage at White Lotus and completed an Ashtanga teacher training at It’s Yoga in San Francisco. “I needed to learn to teach in English,” she says laughing. She now teaches at The Yoga Studio and The Yoga Garden in Marin, and is on the faculty of Omega Institute. Nubia’s classes are ambrosia for the soul, a soft release into challenge with the ecstatic bliss of surrendering the heart and opening the body again and again.
Nubia is currently recording a pranayama CD with music by Jai and Ben Leinbach. Sounds True will release the CD in 2005. A lifelong singer, she often sings and chants in her classes and her exquisite voice can be heard on many of Jai’s recordings. They sing together for fun wherever they are, “Nubia knows more songs than anyone I know,” says Jai.
To Nubia, yoga is a key to healing the self and the world. “Through yoga we can develop a deeper awareness of our bodies, our inner space, our inner rhythm and cultivate a state of peace, wisdom and compassion, first towards ourselves, then towards the universe.”
nubiayoga@hotmail.com