MARLENE BOYETTE (she/her)
I grew up between a small Irish Catholic town in Central Massachusetts and a diverse city in Texas which is connected to one of the largest military bases in the US. I had such different experiences existing in these places, but these two contrasting locations cultivated my understanding of, and appreciation for balance, racial equality, nature, stillness, movement, meditation, diverse cultural experiences and connection with others. I distinctly recall the many nights that I sat under the moon at the Wachusett Reservoir in Central Mass, writing, gazing at the sky and grounding. I also recall how deeply moved I was after having read Siddhartha for the first time back then. I had no idea how the influence of these things would be revealed years later.
I began my personal yoga journey in 2003, moving to Boston after college. I took my first Yoga class at the Malden YMCA. That class changed my life. I began practicing consistently, and would often convince colleagues to join me. I continued to practice, and in 2013, after having shared yoga with countless students in my care as a preschool teacher and youth worker, I became certified to teach Children’s Yoga. I went on to offer various yoga classes to youth focused organizations, libraries, museums, schools and community centers, in Boston, Cambridge and surrounding areas, in an effort to make yoga more accessible by creating opportunities to practice outside of Yoga studios. Although this work was fulfilling, I had a growing desire to deepen my practice and understanding of yoga, so I registered for 4 Corners Yoga + Wellness’ first 200 hour Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher Training offering. This experience was personally transformative. After completing this training in 2016, I left teaching preschool and began teaching yoga full time. I later completed an additional 300 hour Trauma Informed YTT focused on youth and children, as well as a Sound Healing Certification program in 2018.
I consider myself a community member and activist / advocate at heart. I founded Leela Yoga + Wellness, and co-founded Peace In Boston & Black and Blonde - two initiatives focused on addressing racial and cultural disparities within the practice of yoga, centering yoga instructors of color, bringing yoga to underserved communities, and prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion within yoga as acts of social justice, both within and outside of the Boston area. I have offered countless workshops focused on yoga as an act of social Justice.
Presently I teach Yoga and Mindfulness full time at The Advent School located in Boston’s Beacon Hill, in addition to being a member of the schools Social Justice Task Force for the last 4 years, and will co-launch the schools first Students of Color Affinity Group in January 2022.
Additionally, I can be found facilitating yoga classes and sound healing sessions throughout Boston and Cambridge, and also in Brooklyn New York. I have collaborated with The Loring Greenough House, The Boston Public Health Commission, The Rose Kennedy Greenway, The Gardner Museum, The ICA, Emerson College, Starlight Square and The Mayor's Office in Cambridge and various other organizations. I am dedicated to using wellness as a catalyst for supporting, building and healing communities.
What You Can Expect From My Classes
It is my deepest intention to offer safe opportunities to practice that are accessible, restorative and light-hearted. My classes, which are foundationally hatha, focus on maintaining connection between the breath and movement of the body through gentle, slow placed asanas that are meant to encourage the release of mental, emotional and physical tension and strain. As a Certified Trauma Informed instructor, I believe in the offering of invitations to move or find stillness, rather than directives, that remind each participant to do what feels right and comfortable in each moment of their practice. I often incorporate aromatherapy by way of essential oils, and sound healing into my classes to support release and restoration during the last portions of the practice.