Meet Leslie Salmon | Yoga Therapist & Yoga Instructor

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

Hi Leslie, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I began my personal yoga practice at age 48. As I continued the practice and then began teaching, I noticed I drew an older group. And, because of my interest in anatomy, I also found people being referred to me who were challenged with injuries, chronic conditions, etc. As my practice matured, I decided to focus on Yoga Therapy, in addition to teaching Yoga.

Why? I could see a population of people who wanted to participate in yoga, but who required a different type of yoga class/session than what is usually taught in a yoga studio. They needed a gentler form, a style that catered to their specific needs.

Fortunately, as I began this transition, the field of Yoga Therapy was slowly coming to life. I enrolled in the Yoga Therapy program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. This was a 4-year program, encompassing many of the challenges seen, and providing me with 1000 hours of additional training to become a Certified Yoga Therapist.

What should our readers know about your business?
As I mentioned earlier, I began my Yoga practice in 1998; I was 48 years old. We had moved to a new community and I was a bit depressed, missing friends and family. My husband suggested I try Yoga.

Not knowing anything about Yoga, I found a small studio close to our home; drove by a few times, before finally stepping into a class. Initially, I didn’t really like it so I stopped. 3 months later and still depressed, I decided to try again. Different teacher, different style and I was ‘hooked’. That was my first lesson – if you don’t like something, maybe you ought something different, as opposed to giving up.

2 years after starting my practice, I purchased the small studio – the first business I had ever owned or managed. I operated it for 7 years before selling it to move to Southern California. This purchase offered me an opportunity to craft my skills as an older teacher, which I doubt would have happened had I not bought the studio (there is age-ism everywhere and – according to Maddy Dychtwald, author of ‘Ageless Aging’ – it may be the last accepted ‘ism’.)

Once in So. California, I volunteered to teach at the local Library. I continued my study and, eventually, was offered a teaching position at Sage Yoga Studios in Fallbrook. I have taught at Sage for 10 years this Fall.

Lessons I’ve learned:

1. Keep learning (I try to read something related to my field each morning). I’ve also enrolled in the Integrative Nutrition Program through UCSD and have completed 6 of the 8 classes required for my Certificate.

2. Hone my listening skills – I may not remember everyone’s name, but I will remember that they took a trip to see the new Grandbaby or began a new job. I find this especially valuable as people become more engrossed in their phones and social media – I worry we are not paying attention to clients, friends, loved ones.

3. Dependability is ‘golden’ – on time, respectful of others’ time (and my own); finding answers if I don’t immediately know the response to a student’s question.

I’d like people to know that I use the lessons mentioned every day. I research conditions / injuries in order to provide the best practice for them. Some days, I simply listen.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
With enough time to plan:
– I’d love to share a play at either the LaJolla Playhouse or SD Civic Theatre.
– A favorite memory is taking my aunt to the zoo (she was ill, so the bus was a blessing).
– We’d visit one of the wineries in the area, sharing a meal while we were there.
– Some time at the beach, walking from Del Mar to Torrey Pines would be amazing.
– If the friend enjoys shopping, my favorite shopping spot is either the Forum in LaCosta or Westfield UTC
– A restaurant overlooking the ocean would also be in order.
– Walking through the shops in Solana Beach, Cedros, is always fun

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Over my 30 years as a yoga practitioner, teacher and therapist, I’ve had many teachers. I must give credit to two of those teachers for not allowing me to fall prey to my own sense of ‘age-ism’. Many times I wondered if I was too old to start / begin my journey. These two said the following, which has stuck with me throughout the years:

Joanne Lucey – “You are the example to the young ones of what a yoga practice has to offer.’
Desiree Rumbaugh – ‘You can’t play the age card.’

Website: https://lesliesalmonyoga.com

Instagram: lesliesalmonyoga

Facebook: Leslie Salmon

Image Credits
Beach photo (photo #2): Robert Sturman, robertsturmanstudio.com
Photo #6: Nicole Boardman Benitez for Sage Yoga Studios, Fallbrook, CA