ARIELE FOSTER is a doctor of physical therapy and a yoga teacher who has a lifelong yoga practice thanks to her dear grandmother, a yoga teacher now in her eighties who still leads several classes a week. For over ten years Ariele has been teaching an evolving blend of challenging alignment-based vinyasa flow and therapeutic yoga in Washington, D.C. As a physical therapist, Ariele weaves yoga into the therapeutic rehabilitation process. Ariele is also an enthusiastic cyclist, who not only loves her job, but loves the commute to it by bike — in rain or shine.
A deeply dedicated environmentalist, Ariele worked passionately for a decade with numerous national and international environmental justice organizations. She spent three months on the border of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, and four months in Costa Rica examining the impact of environmental change on indigenous and traditional populations. Ariele also worked closely with local farmers in DC to establish farmers’ markets in neighborhoods with limited access to fresh foods, and labored on various organic farms across the country. Recently, she founded the nonprofit Yoga for the Planet, dedicated to elevating discussions on environmental stewardship within the yoga community.
Ariele is a humble student of Anusara, Kripalu, and multidisciplinary vinyasa yoga and gets massive inspiration from music, dancing, and joy. She is also very involved in the karma yoga community of DC and has taken part in a number of yoga outreach and fundraising efforts to help uplift the planet and the greater community.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS & CREDENTIALS:
- Doctor of Physical Therapy/ licensed physical therapist with National Rehabilitation Hospital, one of the top ten rehabilitation facilities in the country
- Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training
- E-RYT – “Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher” more than 10 years teaching as of this year!
- Anusara Yoga Immersion program at Willow Street Yoga Center (currently enrolled)
- Senior Yoga Instructor (and frequent student) at Yoga District, Embrace Yoga with Faith Hunter, Epic Yoga, Vida Fitness and Meridian Yoga
- Anatomy Instructor for Embrace Yoga/Faith Hunter’s Professional level (300 hour) Yoga Teacher Trainings
2012 INTENTIONS:
- Host free fitness events at the Athleta Georgetown store
- Complete Anusara Yoga Immersion and discover what’s next on her yoga journey
- Take the plunge and sign up for a 5k to try a running race for the first time (baby steps)
- Attempt paddleboard yoga!
WEBSITES:
SacredSourceYoga.com »
Facebook.com/SacredSourceYoga »
Facebook.com/YogaForThePlanet »
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wow, fantastic journey, energized to hear your story and applaud your outlook in life. I long to become hooked on yoga but not there yet in my season of life … Rock on sistah!
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This is very exciting, Ariele! Very proud to see this recognition of all your hard work and efforts. AND very pleased to know that I have been a recipient as a student of yours. DC’s a long “bike ride” from Richmond, but you make it look like it’s more than worth the trek. Peace!
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Paddleboard YOGA! Yes, you will love it! If you want to bike across the river to alexandria in the spring/summer (when it warms up:) let me know. I have 5 paddleboards and last fall taught SUP classes and SUP yoga. (just a few before it got too cold) Happy to help you “attempt paddleboard YOGA” easier than it looks and so amazing to be out on the water!
peace~ delia
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You are so awesome! Love you Ari!!
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Thank you, ladies! Delia, i’m looking up your website right now — Beautiful photographs! I’ll send you an email shortly. Best wishes, ariele
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Just want to show my support and congratulate you on all of your accomplishments. You seem to be on the right track.
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Wahe Guru Arielle! Congrats!!!!
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Oops, I typed 2 ls in your name. Right on Ariele!
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thanks Emily and Candice!
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congratulations! so good so see such amazing strong women sharing their passions !!! what an inspiration!
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So inspired by your energy and calm, Ariele…your story is awesome. Peace!
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I’m excited to announce my first event at the Athleta Georgetown store: https://www.facebook.com/events/234546516636464/
Saturday March 10th 2pm, Yoga for Strong Shoulders.
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Your bio is such a testimony to who you are, Ariele! I could not have said it better. Commitment to mind, body, sprit, environmental justice. Just as your 85 y.o. grandmother, you, too, will leave quite a legacy! I’m sure you are going to fulfill your 2012 intentions! Much love!
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Love your story Ariele! Your grandma sounds amazing too!
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I have a question for you, my husband suffers from Psoriatic Arthritis and has some major joint issues these days. Are there any yoga positions or stretches that might help with his joints? I’m just trying to help him deal with the pain in other ways other than taking medications. He is trying to drop his weight and get his sugar levels under control before he switches medications. He was on a steroid that spiked his weight up and threw his sugar levels off. Now to get his weight down he has to remove the steroid as much as possible. I figured some simple yoga moves might help his hips and legs and wondered if there were any for his hands and arms as well?
Also, would any particular types of yoga be better for him to help deal with the pain and joints to help with mobility?
Would love to hear your thoughts.
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Hi Jo,
Thanks so much for writing, but I’m sorry your husband is suffering.
I can’t give medical advice here, but I can say that generally anyone with arthritis will serve themselves best by staying active. Moving your body normally, despite some modest increase in pain during the movement, is actually the best way to prevent the arthritis from worsening…much less from owning your life.
Your inclination is spot-on. Medicines are essential but they are just a piece of the disease management puzzle. There is a growing body of evidence specifically demonstrating regular gentle hatha yoga practices lead to improvement in quality of life and daily function for arthritis sufferers, including those with psoriatic arthritis.
I actually have specialized training in a Yoga for Arthritis program that is endorsed by the National Arthritis Foundation. I use that knowledge regularly with yoga students and physical therapy clients. If you and your husband are interested in lessons, contact me directly. (You can get my email address off my website sacredsourceyoga.com or message me at https://www.facebook.com/SacredSourceYoga). I teach in-person in Washington, DC as well as via video chat that works wherever you have internet access.
The Arthritis Foundation website, arthritis.org, is also an comprehensive and user-friendly resource.
Other non-pharmaceutical options that might help your husband include Physical and/or Occupational therapists (you can seek out a Certified Hand Therapist in your area), arthritis support groups, and an exercise buddy (you?) with a set of goals.
Thank you so much for messaging me. I hope this information is helpful, and I wish you both the best in thriving fully.
Never hesitate to contact me with questions,
Ariele
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Hi, I am here in VA to see my son graduate from his training a Quantico Marine Corps Base. I was drawn to your bio because 1st you are a PT. I am a PTA working in the home care setting in southern RI. I am also a certified Yoga teacher. I have a small business called Community Yoga, Yoga for everyone is our motto. As a therapist I am always applying what I know in my treatments. Being in balance with the present is where strengthening begins. As a Yoga teacher I love that I am able to modify poses for every level of student. I know that you get that!
2nd, because the DC area is a place I frequent a lot. I am planning on stopping in!
Keep writeing and doing those good things!
Sherry
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Hi Sherry.
Thanks so much. I <3 PTAs!!! You guys are the best, and we need more of you. I love also that you are connecting yoga and physical therapy. So many of our patients (inpatient or outpatient or home/nursinghome care) need simple information about breathing, gentle movement and body awareness for pain control. Who better than a yoga teacher or yoga trained practitioner to provide that?
I look forward to meeting you soon. I keep my classes up to date on my website: sacredsourceyoga.com and you can follow my lastest blogs, ideas, random thoughts and events at facebook.com/SacredSourceYoga
Be very well,
Ariele
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