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Stephanie Falkowski ’11 leads a double life of sorts: cataloger in the in by day, yoga practitioner and teacher in the afternoons and evenings. “I love my job in IT,” she said, “and I love being able to teach.”

But getting to this point was a journey.

Falkowski majored in dance, but had to discontinue after developing pain a year after graduating.

Going from being a dancer to someone who could barely walk was painful—physically and emotionally. Then Falkowski found yoga. “Every posture, or asana, has a different health benefit,” sheÌý

explained. “We all carry stress with us, but yoga teaches us to be mindful of our breath and what we’re doing in the present and to let things go.”

Falkowski went from taking classes to teaching her own classes on Long Island and in Adelphi’s group fitness classes. Offered by the , they give students, faculty and staff the opportunity to be fit. Her Adelphi yogis include everyone from first-year students to faculty and administrators well into middle age. “Students have told me my classes have helped them get through their four years here, and I have alumni who have followed me to other studios,” she said. She has high praise for Long Island’s yoga community, and that at Adelphi as well. “Everyone is so supportive and positive,” she said. “It’s magical.”

No wonder her favorite affirmation to chant to her students at the close of class is:

Know you are safe,
Know you are supported,
Know you are fully loved.
The light within me honors the light within you.
Namaste.