We had the good fortune of connecting with Rita Abdallah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rita, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?

Practicing Life is a principle that strongly resonates with me, on and off the yoga mat. Yoga involves movements that typically start with the Child’s Pose and quietly bring the body low to the ground. Gradually, we lift the body and stand tall in Mountain Pose. Throughout the class, our bodies stretch, lunge, press, and rotate into postures designed to make us feel good, aware, and open.

Practicing Life and Yoga are passionate friends. On the mat, the ups and downs and twists and turns encourage us to feel and breathe out of discomfort and suffering into relaxation and healing. We practice moments that bring us down or lift us high in life. The opportunity to breathe our way through anything is the Voice of Practicing Life. Remembering that everything and everyone has an expiration date is the Voice of Practicing Life. Trusting that we are enough and possess everything we need to feel good is the Voice of Practicing Life.

Practicing Life means living more fully, deeply, and openly with ourselves and others. Living with this perspective allows us to move past judgment and into compassion. Enjoying a life of depth makes us more aware of investing our time, energy, and resources in ways that align with growth and purpose. Openness fosters enjoyment in things that are new, different, and surprising. Practicing Life fills us with potential, possibilities, and adventure. We make more room for creativity, insights, and surrender.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Our studio is most excited about inspiring and cultivating a Community of Peace, Love, and Joy. We believe these three words contain unlimited opportunities to live a big and bright life. We are so grateful to create belonging and engage in meaningful ways with others. Our community members are curious, open, and ready to step into a version of themselves that feels good from the inside out. We want the world to know you are welcome, safe and loved when you enter our studio. You are welcome to discover and embrace the beauty of your light, presence, and energy. You are welcome to exchange Peace, Love, and Joy with others in creative and playful ways.

Our successes are when we witness breakthroughs by courageously listening to the Voice of Practicing Life. It is incredible how a safe and loving space encourages others to push past trauma, pain, and old stories. Once the low vibe shifts, the Voice of Life Practice unlocks a higher vibe, such as freedom, clarity, and understanding.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Cleveland, Ohio, is a perfectly-sized city to explore in a day. If you wish to visit a museum, hang out by Lake Erie, or go craft brewery-hopping, everything is close together; you can quickly drive from one side of the city to the other in 10-20 minutes.

Whenever a visitor comes to Cleveland, a trip to Lake Erie is an unforgettable moment that will be a topic of conversation for years to come, especially if you include a famous corned beef sandwich! Several times a week, I head out to my favorite beach, sit on a rock, and focus my silent gaze on the water, birds, and sky. When daylight fades, the skies light up with a rosy glow. The unique blend of color, mood, and movement keeps me in constant awe of this local treasure.

A Cleveland legacy near and dear to my heart is Slyman’s Restaurant and Deli. My beloved father, Rafic Abdallah, emigrated from a poor village called Aiteneet in Lebanon. He eventually settled in Cleveland and learned to run a restaurant/deli. In 1964, the establishment called Slyman’s was born. Over the years, the business became a local favorite and a must-go for visitors.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Our studio is beyond grateful for our students, community, and everyone else we have partnered with to get where we are today. Thank you for being so supportive and for being such an inspiration to the world!

Website: https://tpyogawellness.com//

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turningpointyogaandwellness/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritaabdallah/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TurningPointYogaWellness

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/turning-point-yoga-and-wellness-westlake

Other: Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/ritaabdallah

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutOhio is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.