BONUS EPISODE Special Guest Mindful Chat with Sarah Platt Finger Co-Founder of ISHTA Yoga & Inspirational Yoga Teacher

Subscriber-only episode

Sarah Finger is the co-founder of ISHTA Yoga, LLC and the private yoga teacher of Dr. Deepak Chopra.  She has shared the elevating tools of ISHTA to the yoga community worldwide through training, workshops, and retreats which she co-teaches with her husband, Yoga Master Alan Finger.  Sarah believes that the yoga practice is a reflection of the reality we create for ourselves off the mat and that a deeper awareness of our habits can both transform and empower us to connect to our most authentic selves.

Sarah is a legacy ambassador for Lululemon and the Board President for Exhale to Inhale, a non-profit organization that teaches yoga to survivors of domestic violence.
Always a seeker, Sarah considers motherhood to be her greatest spiritual practice. Her daughter, Satya, inspires her to live a life based on love and unbound potential.

Sarah Platt Finger
http://sarahplattfinger.com/

Ishta Yoga
http://ishtayoga.com/

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/splattfinger/








Dr. Damaris G. is an Integrative Doctor of Nurse Practice Family Nurse Practioner Mom, Veteran,. BC Family Nurse Practioner & Holistic Integrative health, Studies Functional Medicine
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Transcript

Damaris Grossmann: 0:53

Hi, how are you? This is and Damaris Maria Grossman, integrative family nurse practitioner. And thank you for joining in on mindfully integrative podcast. Today we have an amazing guest. She is a celebrity yoga teacher, integrative mom, amazing woman, and I can't wait for you to meet her. Sarah Platt Sara finger, but I call her just an amazing woman. So I have so many things to say about her. But I know that she'll tell you more about her story. So thank you so much for joining in on this show.

Sarah Platt Finger: 1:26

Thank you so much for having me.

Damaris Grossmann: 1:28

I couldn't imagine not not inviting you in. So tell the audience a little like fun fact about you. That people may not know.

Sarah Platt Finger: 1:39

Fun fact about me is that I actually lived in Taiwan for three years after I graduated from college.

Damaris Grossmann: 1:46

Wow, what what made you kind of go there? That's not something that like someone would choose?

Sarah Platt Finger: 1:52

Yeah, you know, in in college I grew and affinity for Asian Studies, I was an Asian studies minor. And the school that I attended had something called a block system, which is where you study one subject for three and a half weeks. And then you take a five day break. And I studied the meditative arts, Chinese meditative arts, and learned about Tai Chi and calligraphy. This is where I learned a little bit about yoga and meditation. And it just completely changed my life. And I felt like I deeply desire to go to that part of the world and explore the culture a little bit more learn the language, and just tap into a totally different culture and way of life than I knew. And it was amazing.

Damaris Grossmann: 2:48

That's so neat. Like, was there like certain foods that you ate? Or was there just like a lot of meditative time? Or you just did you do some work there and studied more? or?

Sarah Platt Finger: 2:59

Yeah, well, so at the time, I was a performing arts major. So I was a dance major, and an Asian studies minor. And so I, my dance teacher advisor, she was Taiwanese. And she offered me this opportunity to go there to teach children English, and also do some dance and some choreography. So I did some teaching there, I did some dancing while I was there. I did pick up more yoga. Interestingly, although it was a very different type of yoga than what I teach now. And I learned a lot more of the language, I was only supposed to go for one year, but one turned into two and then two to three, I actually thought for one time that I might make my might live there, I had a romantic interest. I thought that I was going to have a family in Taiwan. And it wasn't to happen that way. But it really did impact my life in a lot of ways.

Damaris Grossmann: 4:00

I mean, all these different like things that happen in your life, you kind of go Oh, wow, that, you know, but it was another part of molding where you are. I mean, you are you also our co founder of Isha yoga studio. And well, you know, you can go into that at some point. But this podcast talks tons about Integrative Health and tons about integrative life. And I believe you embody that each and every day. And But how was there something that kind of came to you? Was it this Taiwanese big trip or things in your life that kind of got you to where you are now? Or, you know, the story ish?

Sarah Platt Finger: 4:37

Yeah, I mean, I think growing up I definitely. I was a big thinker, and seeker, very sensitive. struggled a bit. Certainly as I got into my teenage and young adult years.

Unknown: 4:58

Maybe an empath. Yeah,

Sarah Platt Finger: 5:00

I think I think I wasn't perfect, but I didn't know what to do with my feelings. I didn't have felt things very strongly and I didn't have tools or guidance or a network or anything to understand what to do with my feelings. So I you know, as many people do try to escape them and numb them and judge them and make them wrong and blame myself and my body and was pretty self destructive in some ways. And so I that was part of what inspired me to move far away. I felt like I needed to get out of the environment that I was in, and, and change shake things up a bit. And I just I've always been very in tune and connected to this sort of inner voice inside of me, that guided me to go to Colorado for college. And that guided me to go to Taiwan, even though it was so far away and seemingly such an unusual choice, but I just felt really called to do it. And I really clearly listened to that voice that said, there's something here for you for you to learn. And I'm so I, there was something about the Asian studies the eastern way of thinking of integrating your mind and body and spirit that was so motivating for me and comforting for me, because I always thought things had to be compartmentalised.

Damaris Grossmann: 6:44

Have you ever right? I totally get you there. Yeah, that's what it was supposed to be.

Sarah Platt Finger: 6:49

Exactly. And so it's like, your feelings are here, your thoughts are here, your actions go there, your job is here, and being able to learn to access different parts of myself. And, and understand a way of life that was more about bringing this thought this process of reflection, and integration and meditation into my everyday life was something that was life changing for me. And when you go to Asia, you know, prayer, and rituals, and community, these are all very much a part of the culture of the everyday way of life, everything is you see it interconnected. And that felt was comforting for me, because I felt a sense of belonging there, even though I was what they call Why go read, which means you're an outside person, you're a foreigner, but I felt very connected to the culture there.

Damaris Grossmann: 8:00

I can see what you mean, like the interconnectedness. I mean, you know, your past or your childhood brought you to, you know, the transition, I feel like from my trauma and childhood, I was like, there has to be something different, you know, like, I can't be in this pain, right. And you, you were able to see that in other this other culture, and then it transitioned into this beautiful yoga journey that you have. And, and I, I know you hope and meditation and mindful, I mean, I know you have plenty to discuss. But I, I think you're a beautiful person. And I know that you bring a lot of guidance to others. So I, I just wanted to know, kind of, like, you know, where it how that how that kind of started to unfold from, you know, the Taiwanese trip. And so yeah, yeah,

Sarah Platt Finger: 8:47

thank you. It's very kind of you to say those words, I really appreciate it. Yeah, in in Taiwan, I started to do yoga, and actually teach yoga because I had a background in dance and gymnastics. And the teacher thought I was adept at it. So she would put me in front of the room. And I would teach in Mandarin, these different poses. Then SARS happened, which was, you know, an epidemic at the time. And lots of people were getting sick. And I just felt like, again, that inner voice that inner knowing was like, it's time to go home. Now it's time to leave and get back to New York. And so I returned back home. And I felt this interest in the yoga that I was doing, it had changed my state of mind. It was a physical practice that was different than dancer gymnastics, which was my background, but something again, more integrated more, bringing in this in this mind, approach of connection and awareness and presence that was new for me. So I came back to New York, and I sought out somewhere to do my my yoga teacher training. And at the time, I was living with my parents back in Long Island, and there was a school called yoga zone. And I went there. And I had been to several different yoga classes and couldn't quite find it at the time, I had reverse culture shock. I didn't really feel quite at home where I was, but of course, I knew Taiwan wasn't home for me. So I had all of this adjustment to do and it was very hard for me because I really did love my life there in Taiwan, but I also was not fully content at the time. And so it wasn't until I took my first ish to class. From my teacher at the time, her name was Mary Jo Marsha cielo, and it was for the first time I felt At home, I felt at home in my body, because of the techniques she was sharing, and the visualizations she was bringing in, and the way that she was guiding us to be in our bodies, you know, in our bodies, but also in a subtle body, right? Your subtle body is also just this part of you that you can't measure. And it just was a language that I completely understood. And I felt at home. And I was like, What is this style of yoga? I need to learn more. And she, you know, I saw the picture of Alan, who is now my husband, and felt this like, electricity through my body. And I was just like, I need to meet this person. I need to learn more about this yoga. She directed me to Manhattan to the studio at the time. And then, you know, I

Unknown: 11:45

took online. Yeah, I did you as your soulmate, okay, when I met my husband, he is your soulmate.

Sarah Platt Finger: 11:50

What it literally just was magnetism. And I didn't know at the time, of course, when I did my teacher training that that would be our sort of destiny, but I felt so it's sort of like I just was from the moment that my soul was like, Alright, time to go home. Time to get your teacher training certification. This is what it is, go find this person. And, you know, the doors really sort of open up when you when you don't think too much. And you just like,

Damaris Grossmann: 12:20

yeah, it comes in, and it just like, and it's I feel like just from this, I want to pause, which is like, like, you know, you just bring it in, and you're like, these doors open, when you think a lot are closing, like something is opening, it's like, I must be on the right path. And you're listening, right? So it is it is a

Sarah Platt Finger: 12:37

listening, right? Because we get so accustomed to speaking and talking and, you know, filling the space in but that ability to just pause and listen is really such a gift. Yeah, that's where the magic is. I think.

Damaris Grossmann: 12:52

I mean, that's, that makes, you know, a lot of sense. You know, I in general, you're, you know, you started doing the training and you became a teacher but you're a co founder of esta and I know that audience doesn't know what you know, now it's online, but what it means and, and how that is in not just the business of working and you know, or or just the poses of yoga. Yeah, much more. And when I found you guys, I the studio I was like, I felt very placed because you have a different way of thinking with your gun and a mindfulness and a meditative centering. And, and I'd love for you to explain that even more to the listeners in tempos.

Sarah Platt Finger: 13:37

Absolutely, yeah. So um, isbt is stands for the Integrated Science of hatha, Tantra, and Ayurveda. And at the time, I should say, when I did my teacher training there was it was in the school and might what my husband had shared and taught, but the actual studio was part of the yoga works at the time. And we had the opportunity to break apart and I just knew that issue needed its own home, that there were so many people who had been touched and moved, myself included by this practice. And we had partnered with another another couple at the time and opened up a studio on 11th Street and called it Isha yoga. And that was like our home because Isha was a home for me and my body, I knew that I wanted to create a home for other people to come to and feel welcome, and just feel completely accepted. Because even in the yoga world, you can feel like maybe you don't belong. If you're not, you know, adept enough, if you don't look a certain way, if you don't eat a certain way, if you don't, you know practice a certain way and Isha is really, the second meaning of Isha is that which resonates with the individual spirit, or another meaning that I love a translation that I love of the sutra from which is to comes from Spadea ish to devata Sempra Yoga is in Sanskrit. The translation of that is when you study yourself, you discover the divine. So this practice of self studies for the idea of looking inward and exploring yourself and in the process, discovering everything, right, everything that you've always desired, everything that you've always searched for, recognizing that that abundance and that peace and that wisdom, and that power is right there within you. And that's the power of Tantra, which is the tea in ish to Tantra comes from two words to note Tea, which means to expand, and try out tea to liberate. And it's this practice of accessing that part of ourselves recognizing this unified field of inspiration and intelligence that is present in all things, all beings, every actually all of matter, right? comes from one source. Everything on this plane of existence comes from one unified source of intelligence. And Yoga is Sanskrit, it's Brahman, but you you know, in quantum science, they call it the unified field of energy, energy. And I'm right,

Unknown: 16:33

right, so an energetic.

Sarah Platt Finger: 16:36

Yeah, some people might call it God, right. So whatever word it is, there's a source through which all of manifestation and matter comes from. And so when we recognize that, we recognize that we also have the power to return back to that source. So isbt is really about providing the tools and techniques through us and other physical practice visualization, Kriya, meditation, mantra, sound, pranayama breath, all of these different techniques that we have access to, to liberate us to experience ourselves as that field of intelligence as that nature. So that's really the the intention of the Isha practice.

Damaris Grossmann: 17:32

I think that was beautifully spoken. I feel the others knowing that when you start going inward, you know, it has that scary moments or scary things that come up, but being able to look inward and finding that this open space, or this, these things that come up, and then you're saying having the techniques and the tools, so many people don't have their toolbox, you know, they don't know what to do. And they're lost. Yeah, you know,

Sarah Platt Finger: 18:07

yeah, and it's really, and they really just are that tools, you know, in different people find different tools at different times of their life. But what I love about yoga and meditation are, these are tools that are inherent within us, right? It's, you don't have to go somewhere or Google anything or, you know, become somebody else, you just have to access your physical body, right? It's the technology of the physical body, that enables us to make a sound, to hear our breath to make a shape with our bodies, our to, you know, transcend into this space of consciousness. But it's all inherent within us. And it's a very empowering way to perceive the world and reality.

Damaris Grossmann: 19:01

I could not agree more as a person that had, you know, passed, and as everyone has something, if I didn't find the logo and my breath, and then, you know, a different way of thinking, I don't think I would have this mindset of, you know, change and wanting to make a difference that I think that you really, when people understand that, you know, where it can grow for you. And I just, I mean, even additional to just the yoga path of fact, of where you're the isbt away, I would say, I don't mean, I know you probably but I just I do really love how you teach and how your studio teachers and the way that it resonates. But like you said, it's it's different for each person, but kind of coming into source. I don't I mean, maybe some people are afraid to come into source, but when they recognize that I, I think it's a beautiful thing. It can be scary, but like you said, it's all around us. And I you know, totally understand that. Yeah, throughout this time. So, you and you, like you said, You brought people so many people you've impacted by having this home, and you know, and bringing all these people to your, to the studio and you've impacted and taught all over the world and, you know, was is there a teaching time for you or a moment in your life that is kind of this you know, that has made a kind of like resonates with you recently or past?

Sarah Platt Finger: 20:37

Um, you mean with like

Damaris Grossmann: 20:38

teaching yoga teaching or is there someone in the in your, you know, was, I don't know if you have to say, was there a teaching moment that you find or you know, that was been that brother ATP recently or pass in the past that you're just kind of been good.

Sarah Platt Finger: 20:56

Yeah, I mean, really all of the, all of the teaching, the opportunity to teach is is a gift. You know, um, whether it's, you know, teaching, I had the great honor of teaching for summer solstice, a few years ago, in Times Square and teaching to, you know, 1000 people in the middle of Times Square we are, the busiest part of New York was heading. Oh my God, that's gonna be crazy. Just so electrifying and elevating. I just felt so inspired by it, and seeing people from all different backgrounds and walks of life and just coming together and breathing and moving and being in their bodies. Um, that was really inspiring. And I

Damaris Grossmann: 21:54

love chaos, right?

Sarah Platt Finger: 21:56

And finding peace in the chaos. It's, it was a really magical moment. I think that's something that definitely stays with me.

Damaris Grossmann: 22:06

Is there anyone in your life in your family that inspires you to you know, keep with what you're doing, knowing that you're in the source, knowing that your, your path is always been? Or is it more kind of the talk within?

Sarah Platt Finger: 22:25

Well, I'm lucky that my husband is, has devoted his life to yoga and meditation as well. And he's been, it's always great to have a very influential for me, and yeah, making this sort of a way of life. away, I definitely stay on the path, certainly, because I, I feel this is my Dharma, I feel like it's my life's calling. And I'm meant to share and do this because I feel so complete when I do. And it's also how I stay present for my daughter and, you know, model for her, what it means to be in, I don't, and I don't like the word balance, because I'm not always in a state of balance. And life isn't always balanced, but to have coping mechanisms to be able to handle what comes your way. And also just to be doing something that I'm passionate about. I think it's so important for our children, especially little girls to show them that, you know, you can feel you can have a career that you love, and also love being a mom at the same time.

Damaris Grossmann: 23:46

I love that, you know, I was saying to you as being a new mom, I, you know, wanting to be a role model for your child. You know, I call you integrative mama also resonating in the things that are important to you. And then obviously teaching this way, but also just being as a wonderful, good person, you know, and bringing the right morals and love to them. And the connection is so important. Yes, I just, I like, love having you on the show. Is there something that you'd like to share with the, you know, people that are listening or in the audience? There's so much more than I know, you could discuss with us. So you you have you know, let me know.

Sarah Platt Finger: 24:32

Yeah, no, I mean, I think the most important thing that, you know, has been, I guess a lesson for me, and I think that just keeps coming through is compassion, um, that like to practice this art of compassion for ourselves. Because our inability to feel to hold space for other people or to let others be in their process, because we're also much in a process, certainly in the last year, it's been massively transformative on many levels and a struggle and a challenge and to just have compassion for our needs. That sometimes we need to be frustrated. And sometimes we need to feel tired. And sometimes we need to feel like we need space and to give ourselves like, okay, like, that's what a you know, a nurturing mother would do. It's like, yeah, I see that you're feeling that way. I see that you're going through this but for us to hold that space for ourselves, to hold that space to be able to move through the whole range of feelings and emotions and sensations that are the spectrum and fabric of life. And I really feel that when we can hold that vibration, you know, like, really stand in that space that we are authentically feeling and not make it wrong doesn't mean we need to act on anger and you know, rage out, but it's just like, watch the sensations rise and fall like really feel that, then I think we'll see ourselves being able to hold that for other people that we have to hold it for them, but to like, see other people authentically as they are, and still meet at the heart. You know, and not be in judgment. It's, it's a really, it's like a simple thing. But it's so powerful. And it's been really a process for me, in my life of being the wife, I want to be being the mom, I want to be being the business partner, I want to be in a teacher I want to be it really just all comes back to my own relationship to myself.

Damaris Grossmann: 27:23

And that inner conversation that you spoke of, and the inner voice and that kind of inner breath, kind of sitting. And I appreciate you saying in the sense of, we're okay to have these feelings. And no, it's you don't have to be this way or that or recognizing that. Yeah, you know, I call it guilt sometimes for me, the guilt of trying to put it together trying to do this or that and, and be a mom and work. And then also say, Yes, I am trying to you know, figure this out. I in moments for me, I usually say I'm like, I'm not perfect by any means. And, and I always keep telling people, it's okay. But I like I love the fact where you come from and then it's you know, inner voice conversation and then growing from that. So, yeah, that's really deep. I'm going to have to sit with this because I'm yanking in your conversation right there. So

Sarah Platt Finger: 28:27

and holding that space with radical to take Lady Gaga.

Damaris Grossmann: 28:35

She's awesome, by the way.

Sarah Platt Finger: 28:37

All compassion, like radical self acceptance. And it has to be right. It's true. It has to be radical, like meaning like, you fly off the rocket, and then you're like, I'm, I'm still worthy. You know, I still deserve love, my own love my own affection. That really, I think is the power that's going to create a shift,

Damaris Grossmann: 29:03

collectively, that we're all looking for. Great. And I mean, I felt like for me when I was trying to learn some of this and still very much so learning, I thought there was a selfishness because I guess me being a mom new new for me. I was like, I can't go and do yoga today. I can't breathe, because I need to go make sure he's okay. That was a new thing on my growth. And I'm still working progress, as I tell everyone. We all are, you know, you're, you're such an your Dharma and the way in which you speak, it's so appreciative. And I know that there's a lot of people that need to hear more of you and need to get in touch with you, and connect with you in the studio online. And also, I know that you'll have the studio soon you were saying, so how can the audience get a hold of you? I'll have all the show notes and waves additional. But how can Is there something coming up recent that you want to talk about or anything in particular that like to?

Sarah Platt Finger: 30:01

Yeah, I mean, there's always trainings that are happening at Isha yoga. We have a meditate meditation training coming up in June. And teacher training coming up in July and another one in September, so people can find me either on the Isha yoga website, or on my own personal website. Sarah Platt finger COMM And I'm pretty active on social media on Instagram. My Instagram is black finger, so

Damaris Grossmann: 30:31

Oh, wonderful. Okay, awesome. I, I'm gonna have it all in the show notes too. So I just wanted to know if there was anything additional that you might want to to let the listeners know. And then as we end the show today, is there just one small mindful way that you want to send to the listeners before you

Unknown: 30:56

Think

Sarah Platt Finger: 30:59

just feel your body, you know, be in your body. So we get so caught up in our mind and our thoughts. But just take moments to feel your body and whatever that looks like whether that's a yoga pose, or a deep breath or just standing on your feet. But just feel your body be in your body when you're in the moment.

Damaris Grossmann: 31:21

Thank you, thanks so much for coming on the show. Sarah, you're sharing woman and I look forward to you being on at some other time again, and you know, if the opportunity arises, and I look forward to getting to see you on for at the studio in person and online. So, thank you so much for coming on.

Sarah Platt Finger: 31:43

Thank you so much for having me really was a pleasure. I appreciate thanks for all you do.

Damaris Grossmann: 31:48

Oh, and I'm hoping you know, each and every day and people will find a mindful way and and and integrate the health that we should have, you know, in a mind body, you know, health approach, mind body spirit approach. I just wanted to say thank you so much. And it's beautiful. My pleasure. Take good care. You too.