I had never actually been to one of Alex’s (or Ally Maz as she is known in the yoga community) yoga classes at the trendy Distritk in North Vancouver, but when I walked in to her studio, I wished I had. I was instantly met with a deep spiritual energy; quiet, the kind of energy where you come away from a yoga class with your soul feeling deeply nourished and rejuvinated.
I'm not alone. She has affected so many people in a similar way that she was asked to write a book for Appetites Random House about her astounding impact on the world.
At the time of the interview Alex was 29 and already a force in the world. A serious Bold Leaper, she took herself to LA at 17 and was dancing professionally with the likes of Christina Aguilera and Janet Jackson. The rigorous lifestyle of professional dancer caused her to fall ill and she decided to come home to BC and “take herself to the mat, and heal." But it wasn’t enough to just heal herself, this fierce warrior wanted to take what she had learned and empower young girls. She launched a global organization called Girlvana Yoga. Young girls literally come from all across the globe to participate in her world wide retreats. It is transformational, life changing and some might say, life saving. To Alex, she says it is just her calling, “I want young girls to know themselves and love themselves, that’s the mission for me. I am committed to the next generation of women.”
This powerhouse is clearly already making a huge difference in the world. She presented herself in this interview full of openness, willingness and presence, to share all that she's learned to inspire others to go beyond their fears and pursue their dreams.
I could have talked to this inspiring, deep, real woman for days about the dancing, yoga, healing, teaching and the profound effect she is having on young girls, but I was mostly curious about the call to write a book, and the lessons about fear and risk that she experienced in that process.
I had many burning questions for Alex, and she had many poignant responses. Here are just a few:
How do you feel about writing a book?
“I always thought I’d write a book” she says confidently and then pauses. ”At fifty, maybe, looking back on my life. Not now!!” She throws her head back with a loud soulful infectious laugh.
How did this happen?
“The Universe responds to clarity” she says with authority, “Only this time, the Universe responded quicker than I thought!” Another big laugh bubbles out of her.
Where does your clarity come from?
"I spend a lot of time alone, meditating, planting seeds. Getting quiet is so important to figuring out and creating what you want. You have to want it badly enough, and then you have to trust yourself. You’ll know when you are ready to take that leap.”
Are you scared about writing the book?
“Terrified! she bursts out, and then more seriously and knowingly, “but everything you want is on the other side of fear. You have to go get it.”
So you are scared but you said yes, is that right?
“I say yes a lot,” she laughs again but I sense there is more to that story. “You need balance too,” she adds.
“I said yes to writing the book, because when I feel afraid of something, I think it’s the thing I need to do the most.”
Are you afraid of failure?
“I reframe failure: it is never over, it is always a step in the right direction, and if something flops, it just isn’t meant to be.”
She ended the interview by saying, “basically you have two options:
“you can live a life of what ifs, or you can go out and get it.”
Alex lives her life with such a fierce, perfect combination of fear and action that it makes her one of the bravest women I have ever met.
I was so inspired by her words and my soul so filled up by her presence, I said, “Do you have any courses for older women?”
“Oh yes!” she beamed, “I do Ladyvana Retreats for women. My mom goes,” she says, “you should come, there’s wine!”
I just might.
Since the time of this blog, Alex has experienced many exciting bold leaps in her life. Make sure you check her out at her contact below. She is sure to inspire you!
alexmazerolle.com @allymaz girlvanayoga.com
Special thanks to the incredibly talented, creative, Bold Leaper Matt Bourne @mattbourne