When it comes to making yoga accessible, exciting, and motivating, few get it quite as right as the amazing David Romanelli.
Nicknamed "Yeah Dave", this yoga guru with a sense of humour combines all the finest things in life; yoga, spa-ing, chocolate and wine to motivate and excite his happy disciples. Dave firmly believes that the ability to live in the moment enhances your power, beauty and sensory awareness.
We were lucky enough to catch up with Dave recently for a chat about well-being, passions, spa-ing and how to feel fantastic every day!
What is your favourite spa treatment? What is it about this treatment that is so fantastic?
"I love a traditional deep-tissue massage. No crazy answer here. Human touch is such a rare treat that just the most basic touch makes me melt."
Tell us about your favourite spa.
"My favorite would have to be Mii Amo in Sedona. I've taught yoga retreats there 4 years in a row and each one is more and more special. It's located in a naturally occurring arena of red canyons, the energy vortices are everywhere, the desert is magical, the starry nights are insanely beautiful."
If you could share a hot tub and a glass of bubbles with just one person (living or dead), who would you choose and why?
"A hot tub and bubbles with Marilyn Monroe sounds so wonderful. While I'd be so excited to also hang out with Gandhi, Jerry Garcia, and Jesus, I'm not sure I'd want that to be in the hot tub with bubbles."
Tell us a little bit about what you're most passionate about.
"I'm most passionate about encouraging others to reclaim the present moment via the simple pleasures. We're all so busy in today's world, there is so much information coming at us that entire days go by and we don't remember a single thing that happened. Yet nothing is changing. We're busier and busier. Who wants to live like that? l want to start a conversation about how we can change things up, how we can make it OK to call your friend out when they interrupt your lunchtime conversation by answering their cell phone, in the same way you'd call them out for lighting up a cigarette in a hospital waiting room."
You're all about motivation – here's a scenario: I'm 280 pounds in weight; I haven't left the house in months. I spend my days gorging on junk food and daytime television, and I'm being treated with medication for depression. How would you motivate me to change my life?
"Before physical health and the crazy diets and workout regimens, I believe there has to be a spark in the soul, a reminder of what's funny in life, what makes you happy, what makes you savor a moment. The first step in healing is remembering what it means to smile and sometimes a smile works from the outside in. A Buddhist monk said, "Sometimes joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes a smile is the source of your joy".
Do you have any plans to bring your methods to the UK?
"No plans as of yet but I would love to bring my methods to the UK someday soon."
What can you recommend for people who aren't able to attend one of your classes? How can we get happy at home?
"Once I was watching an American comedy show (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and I laughed so hard and realized truly it's the first step toward a better life. To laugh. There are so many health benefits to laughter. Yet most of us (myself included) tend to squeeze too tight and forget to laugh."
What would you say are your three steps to a happier life?
"Each day, enjoy a beautiful, funny, and delicious moment. We make life way too complicated. If each day we took the time to enjoy one bite of chocolate, a breath of fresh air, and a rerun of Curb Your Enthusiasm, we'd be so much better off."
What item or product would you take to a desert island to help keep you feeling fab?
"Vosges Haut-Chocolat."
Find out more about Dave and the Yoga for Foodies movement at www.yeahdave.com
Stylish Spy
20th March 2014
Spy Likes:
Minimalist lines; organic products; facial massage; tranquillity; interesting people-watching.
Spy Dislikes:
Discarded towels on loungers; steam rooms that aren't steamy; mobile phones.