#sparkchamber 101518 — Alison Crowley

A first in #sparkchamber history today — a second-timer! It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we are so pleased to welcome back yoga therapist and now non-profit foundation co-founder Alison Crowley.

Alison is a certified yoga therapist — a pioneer in the field, as a member of the first graduating class of Loyola Marymount University’s Yoga Therapy Rx Program [the only university credential program in the U.S.] — specializing in working with people living with cancer. She was inspired to become a yoga therapist to help her mother’s chronic illness, and dedicates her work to her memory — to you, Meribah Cloud Crowley.

Alison co-created, developed, and teaches the yoga therapy programs for half a dozen Los-Angeles-area hospitals and treatment centers, and leads teacher trainings for yoga therapists interested in working in the cancer-recovery field.

And the big news! Alison has recently joined forces with Cyndi Tomlinson to start a non-profit foundation, providing support to anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer — in treatment, post-treatment, remission, or end-of-life — as well as their family, friends, and caregivers. Bolster & Bridge: The Foundation offers on-site and audio programs to help improve and enrich quality of life, equally addressing the emotional, psychological, and physical challenges during- and post-treatment.

The Foundation is holding a fundraiser Sunday October 21 at Athleta in El Segundo at The Point. For more information on that, email Alison directly at ACrowley@BolsterAndBridge.org. And let them know you’re there, supportive of their great mission! Give them a follow on Facebook,  Instagram,  and Twitter.

Thank you for your amazing work, Alison.

1.] Where do ideas come from?

Ideas come from connection. Connecting to imagination, inspiration, and communication — sometimes all at once. Thinking out loud and connecting the dots of my thoughts, conversations, and daydreams.

I talk to myself all of the time; it’s a way of affirming what’s happening right now — it drives my husband nuts! “What? Are you talking to me?!” I never understand why he can’t distinguish between my speaking voice and my thinking-out-loud voice. Thinking out loud grounds me. Ideas also come from letting things be. A moment of quiet and space and then, “A HA!”

I love coming up with ideas in a group setting — riffing off one another and letting it build with bright eyes and excitement.

2.] What is the itch you are scratching?

I’ve gotta go back to connection. I love connecting with people and sharing the experience, whatever it may be. It can be a meal, an idea, a joy, a sorrow. On a deeper level, it’s a look, a smile, a spark. I love the inexplicable glow of connection. True connection takes vulnerability. It’s about exposing your heart and your mind and somebody else really getting it.

3.] Early bird or night owl, tortoise or hare?

I’m a yoga therapist who does not like to get up early, which isn't the best thing. But once I’m up, I’m up, and then I really enjoy teaching my morning classes. As far as being creative goes, the gloaming is my favorite time. I’m a fan of the gloaming. It’s not only a time of day, it's also a feeling. It feels like I’m upstairs doing my homework and mom is downstairs in the kitchen making dinner, and Christmas is coming, and everything is fine. There’s something about that feeling of safety that allows me to get my work done.

4.] How do you know when you are done?

I used to want to be done with things all the time. Done, check that one off the list. My lists had lists. Now I like living a little more in the undone, and letting that be okay.