Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Lindquist Cross.
Hi Allison, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I began studying yoga 34 years ago.
My undergraduate degree is in Child and Family development and I have graduate studies in educational leadership. I first began working as a crisis intervention counselor in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. However, I knew in my heart I needed to explore more holistic routes to heal myself and others. My first dive into traditional yoga was when I lived at Barsana Dam Ashram at a living yoga program. From there I studied Qi Gong with one of the 8 Qi Gong masters in US. Shortly after, I opened the first hot yoga studio in Greenville and Anderson, South Carolina. I still continued my own studies through training with Self Realization Fellowship, Parmahansa Yogananda, as well as trained with Swami Shanji, and attended a workshop with The Dali Lama. Further, I finished a master training at the Hari Om institute in Italy, wrote several books, and now I see clients regularly for both counseling and muscle imbalances. I still continue to lead teacher training programs at several host yoga studios as well.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course not! Life is always changing and requires you to adapt-even if you try to resist. Not to mention, owning a yoga studio during COVID. That was rough!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently I assist individuals on their path towards self discovery and balanced living. My approach is quite different from traditional methods by utilizing Eastern training rather than Western training. Eastern training is usually in contrast to Western training. Holistic Integrative Wellness derives from Eastern traditions. Western training involves using more scientifically oriented or pragmatic approaches typically found in Western education systems and traditional medicine. Eastern training often draws from philosophies such as Buddhism, Taoism, Carl Jung and integrated full body guidance systems like yoga or tai-chi. Western training is likely to rely on empirical science and rational thought. Holistic approaches tend to focus more on balance and interconnectedness of body and mind. With functional integration the person’s overall well-being improves, including their emotional, physical, mental and outer world interactions. Eastern and holistic approaches tend to focus on balance and interconnectedness, whereas western methods often emphasize analysis, categorization, and linear thinking. An Eastern trained Practitioner in the West refers to someone who has received their training and education in both Eastern and Western philosophies, practices and systems beyond traditional medicine. Their education is a combination well beyond 25 years of training. A Holistic Practitioner recognizes the necessity of addressing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health to create harmony.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Every career choice I have made has been a risk. I work in a very unorthodox field that is not usually fully embraced in the West. However, my values and intuition has always been my guiding light and that has led me feel brave enough to take the risk. Through my own training, I have honestly accepted and deeply know I would never want a life not aligned with my values.
Pricing:
- 125.00 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Theyatracenter.com
