Hey there yogis!
Have you ever been practicing next to another human and thought, "wow, that person seems cool, I wonder what color they would be if they were a color?" Well! Today is your lucky day because we're learning all about four AWESOME ODD members in this post. You'll probably recognize some their faces from hanging out at the studio and now that you know everything about them, be sure to spark up a conversation the next time you see them.
Name: Peter G.
Hometown: Oklahoma City
Favorite Place: Sunday AM Hollywood Farmer's Market. No! One Down Dog. Maybe underwater?
Fun Fact most wouldn’t know about you? My first car was a 1996 violet Dodge Grand Caravan, handed down to me very generously from my Mom. Oh, and I spent three years as my high school mascot. TWO fun facts for you. High School was a blast. :P
Share a story or anecdote with us, memorable yoga moment – something magical, changing, funny, or adventurous. Something that you love to tell. When I get to my mat, I have one rule. Don't forget to breathe. I try to take that with me always. My practice changes every day because I change every day. So I'm really grateful for the presence that my practice brings me. It's just that, a practice. To me that quality is a lesson in itself, one I hope to be mindful of as long as I'm breathing.
How did you first hear about One Down Dog? Driving Sunset Blvd., I saw the funky decorations on the 2nd story balcony. I googled the studio and knew right away I wanted to try it out.
What has kept you around the ODDfam? All the amazing people! It feels like home to me. I don't feel judged by what I can or cannot do on my mat. That kind of acceptance is really important to me. Plus, I really like getting to know the staff and teachers. Everyone I've met is totally unique and inspiring in their own way. I hope to be like that too.
Would you more likely tell your boss they had food in their teeth or let it slide? Oh jeez. I'd definitely say something. Mostly because if it happened to me and no one said anything, I'd be horrified. Do unto others, right?
If you could have any superpower what would it be? The power to reverse Climate-Change and Global Warming. Or time travel. It's kind of a toss-up these days.
What was the last book you read? The Last Colony, by John Scalzi. *sci-fi fan*
Do you dream? Lucid dream? Yes! I dream. Do people not? I find I dream most often when I've also done my daily journaling. (TMI?) I don't have lucid control though. That would be really cool. Can we do a workshop on that?
If YOU were a color what color would you be? Violet, definitely violet.
Are there any links, @names, and #hashtags you would you like us to use in promoting you and your happenings? @peter_thelle But it's totally random-preachy-banal-stream-of-conscious. Which I guess, describes me pretty well.
Name: Haley Potiker
Hometown: Villa Park, CA
Favorite Place: One Down Dog of course! But also Sedona, AZ.
Fun Fact most wouldn’t know about you? In addition to doing communications for political causes and nonprofits, I also run a small record label called POW Recordings.
Share a story or anecdote with us, memorable yoga moment – something magical, changing, funny, or adventurous. Something that you love to tell. My boyfriend and I went to a yoga festival in Whistler during the fires in Western Canada. We were expecting to spend our time hiking in the mountains and paddle boarding in the lake. Instead, all outdoor activities were cancelled or moved into hotel conference rooms! At first we were frustrated, but as we explored meditation, restorative, and yin yoga I began to embrace slowing down my practice and taking time to look inward. Now yin is my favorite style of asana.
How did you first hear about One Down Dog? I had just moved to Silver Lake and was trying out all the studios in the area when I landed at ODD’s old shared space down the street. It immediately felt like home to me, and i’ve been coming ever since! (I can’t believe it’s already been 5 years!)
What has kept you around the ODDfam? ODD is like the Cheers of yoga. It’s not just the friendliness of the front desk staff or the teachers — it’s also the other students, who embody that same attitude. All my shyness and anxiety melts away when I walk through the door.
Would you more likely tell your boss they had food in their teeth or let it slide? I always tell people when they have food in their teeth!!! Do unto others, right? I think I told my boss she had lipstick on her teeth my first week on the job. (Please tell me if my yoga pants are see-through.)
If you could have any super power what would it be? The ability to locate lost objects.
What was the last book you read? A Time To Be Born by Dawn Powell. She’s amazing.
If YOU were a color what color would you be? I’m blue (if I were green I would die)
Are there any links, @names, and #hashtags you would you like us to use in promoting you and your happenings?
Twitter: @haleyp
Instagram: @haley___p
Name: Santiago Pazos
Hometown: I have two, that’s how international I am! : La Coruna ( Galicia - Spain) and Los Angeles
Favorite Place: Yosemite.
Fun Fact most wouldn’t know about you? I am a hardcore GAYmer and plenty of people don’t know this, but I am a PR and work in the worlds of art & entertainment. And one day I want to do yoga with a kilt on! See picture
Share a story or anecdote with us, memorable yoga moment – something magical, changing, funny, or adventurous. Something that you love to tell. I think one of my most magical experiences in life was walking down Grand Canyon, walk from 5 miles, and reach the Havasupai Waterfalls - part of a Indian Reservation. It is just magical and one of the most unique experiences in my life. A huge elk welcomed us on our way there ( the sun was between his horns by that time from our angle), we saw two wild horses ( a mama and her son) being reunited… and our backpacks being bitten by hungry squirrels. It was just surreal… and those waterfall! Wow.
How did you first hear about One Down Dog? Two friends! One of them is still a student I believe!
What has kept you around the ODDfam? The entire crew plus of course the fact the studio is right across my office
Would you more likely tell your boss they had food in their teeth or let it slide? I am my own boss so I would say: bitch! You better clean yourself honey
If you could have any super power what would it be? Flying, for sure
What was the last book you read? INSTALLATION ART
Do you dream? Lucid dream? I dream but most of the times I don’t remember. Suddenly a flash might come during the day and I say: oooh ok, I dreamt about that. I dreamt so so many times about me flying though. And also what’s dreamy is my boyfriend
If YOU were a color what color would you be? Absolutely blue
Are there any links, @names, and #hashtags you would you like us to use in promoting you and your happenings? PazosMedia and #Europamerican #PazosMedia
Name: tiLLie
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Favorite Place: LA, duh!
Fun Fact most wouldn’t know about you? I can whistle 3 different ways!
Share a story or anecdote with us, memorable yoga moment – something magical, changing, funny, or adventurous. Something that you love to tell. - My absolute favorite yoga story is when I had a teacher force the whole class to do a dance circle at 9am. I was absolutely TERRIFIED to dance in front of a bunch of strangers.. as I’m sure were the rest of the totally sober students. In a panic, after years hiding in retirement, I busted out the worm and surprisingly didn’t break my face. It was the most liberating and empowering moment - which to me, is the very essence of how yoga has impacted my life.
How did you first hear about One Down Dog? - groupon! when i first moved to la I used groupon to try out different studios before making the plunge.
What has kept you around the ODDfam? i LOVE how down-to-earth and playful the classes are. They don’t make you feel like you’re participating in some pretentious competition. The teachers and staff are so warm and friendly, and as a musician with a rather transient lifestyle, it’s so nice having that sense of community.
Would you more likely tell your boss they had food in their teeth or let it slide? - Tell them for sure! A little bit of embarrassment right away is better than agonizing over how long it’d had been there.
If you could have any super power what would it be? Being able to (anonymously) give the gift of self-love.
What was the last book you read? women who run with the wolves!
Do you dream? Lucid dream? NON-STOP! I have about 10 books I want to write just based off the dreams I have. Sometimes I wake up exhausted from having dreamt the whole night away haha!
If YOU were a color what color would you be? Gold!
Are there any links, @names, and #hashtags you would you like us to use in promoting you and your happenings? @whoistiLLie #theglittergang
Name: Ginée Nicole Arreguin
Hometown: Healdsburg, Ca
Favorite Place: my grandparents cabin in the woods up North. Some of my favorite childhood memories were made there, running around barefoot and free. Whenever my my mind feels especially loud, I imagine myself there and just like that it’s quite. Pure bliss.
Share a story or anecdote with us, memorable yoga moment – something magical, changing, funny, or adventurous. Something that you love to tell.
I spent St. Patrick’s day in Ireland a few years back and as my friend and I were leaving one pub to go to another, she grabs my arm and stops abruptly. Then she proceeds to run into a tiny pizza shop, dragging we in with her. That’s when I hear it. Our favorite song( I love it, by Icon Pop) was playing and we proceeded to dance our tutu wearing hearts out. The guy behind the counter was about to kick us out when a whole crowd of people came in and joined us. It felt like what I would imagine being the first person to start a slow clap and the end of a Rom-Com would feel like. To this day, I hear that song and I have to dance.
How did you first hear about One Down Dog? when I first moved into the neighborhood I google searched the nearest studios.
What has kept you around the ODDfam?From the first day I walked in, to the class I took today, I���ve felt not only welcome but like I had finally come home. The community that ODD is, is like no other. People really see you here, they want to get to know you and for you to get to know them. It’s an infectious and magical place that I just can’t get enough of.
Would you more likely tell your boss they had food in their teeth or let it slide? I’m pretty close with my boss, so I would definitely consider telling her;)
If you could have any super power what would it be? To be able to fly, is there even another?! Think yogi Wonder Woman.
What was the last book you read? Healing Mantras, by Thomas Ashley-Farrand
If YOU were a color what color would you be? All of them. I would be all of the colors.
Are there any links, @names, and #hashtags you would you like us to use in promoting you and your happenings?
@mamagmoneyy on instagram for more on my life, which is mostly cats and yoga.
We weren't able to get an interview with Angela and Victor Ganata as they JUST HAD THEIR BABY! But you've definitely met these two on the mat. We featured them last year for their dedication to trying and sticking with yoga last year and it's proved through this year and their entire pregnancy. They've got a very exciting new journey ahead. Cant wait to see them in BABY & ME next!