About Rita:
After a twenty-five year career in engineering, I feel fortunate to have been able to pursue a totally new career path. I feel doubly blessed to have had the wonderful teachers I have had.

In 1993, after meeting Swami Chidvilasananda (Gurumayi) and being introduced to Siddha Yoga Meditation, I began taking workshops from John Friend, an internationally recognized yoga instructor and creator of Anusara Yoga. Periodically, I have assisted him at large workshops conducted in different parts of the country. I also have also studied with Barbara Benaugh and John Schumacher. Principles of Anusara Yoga and Siddha Yoga Meditation continue to influence my practices and teaching style.

I have been a teacher of hatha yoga since 1997, conducting onsite classes at companies such as J. Walter Thompson and at popular yoga studios throughout the city of Chicago. I also offered small group classes and gave private instruction at the Fulcrum Blu - Chicago studio.

Now that I have become a Floridian, I am available for yoga instruction at my new studio in
St. Petersburg and invite your inquiries.

What is Fulcrum Blu?
“Fulcrum” referring to balance, “Blu” – to one’s inner state, is dedicated to yoga instruction that helps students achieve balance in their lives. This approach reflects the understanding that mind, body, and spirit are intrinsically connected and that all people are unique (everyone learns, heals, and practices in their own way).

The goal of Fulcrum Blu is to help students develop their yoga practices and to support them in carrying their intentions into their daily lives. When formed in 1998, in addition to yoga instruction, Fulcrum Blu has encompassed life coaching services. Although many have focused on yoga as a method for weight-loss or body sculpting, I have found that yoga practices that emphasize inward intention can have the most profound and lasting effect. In 1997 I studied with James Flaherty, who has created a focus to life coaching that is based on philosophy. I like James' work because it works from the assumption that there is nothing to "fix" about our lives; we are perfect just the way we are, just as the yogic scriptures imply. Coaching enables us to enhance our lives and help direct us on our spiritual paths.

Studio:
I believe, more than ever, that practicing yoga can fit into anyone’s life. I try to help each of my students create a daily practice that fits into theirs.

My studios have reflected different ways yoga can become fully integrated in one’s life. My original studio in Chicago was designed to be a beautiful, open space, especially suited for contemplation. With the help of my architect,
Ann Clark, tables, art, and other objects were chosen to encourage people
to strengthen their yoga practices. Environmentally conscious choices were made on building materials and heating technology used for the space.

My space in St. Petersburg allows me easy access to the downtown area; it is a short bicycle trip from downtown and only a few blocks from the Bay. When I moved to St. Petersburg, I fell in love with the brick streets of this historic district, the way architecture from the 20s and 30s has been preserved while new life, in the form of artists and small businesses, move into the area. Being here infuses my yoga practice because of the natural beauty that is so accessible.