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Yoga Set Me Free: from Internment Camp to Inner Journey

March 6, 2013 by


Fun and Fit Interview Yoga Legacy, Prison Camp Survivor, and Author Phyllis Pilgrim

 

Yoga Legacy, Phyllis PilgrimWhat can yoga do for you, especially if you face challenges, stress, and negative forces? Our guest, Phyllis Pilgrim shares her insights based on a lifelong and worldwide pursuit of yoga and meditation.

Given the hardships and cruelty she faced as a child imprisoned in Japanese war camps, Phyllis is especially appreciative of the ways yoga brought joy and awareness back into her life.  Listen in to bring some of those same positive feelings into your practice. Not only will you appreciate what yoga can do to improve your life, but also you’ll get a kick out Phyllis’s sense of humor and English “elocution.”

“Yoga offers Balance, Compassion,and Gratitude,” according to Phyllis.  “Yoga is not just what you do; it’s also who you are.”

  • Find more compassion for yourself;
  • appreciate your body and mind;
  • embrace change as you listen to this week’s radio episode.

Or simply follow Phyllis’s story both in this interview and via her book, The Hidden Passport. Phyllis Pilgrim's The Hidden PassportThis easy to read, fast paced, award winning book chronicles a journey from survive to thrive.

Phyllis has lived and traveled worldwide, first with her parents as a child, including imprisonment in Japanese Internment camps in Java in WW2, then as an adult enjoying hiking, trekking and safari vacations.  She has worked at Rancho la Puerta fitness resort in Tecate, Mexico for nearly 32 years, teaching fitness and expanding the yoga and meditation programs which she still teaches today. You can order her book on amazon or through Phyllis’s website, PhyllisPilgrim.com.  For the ultimate treat, head to Rancho la Puerta to enjoy Phyllis’s yoga and meditation classes in person.

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About Kymberly Williams-Evans and Alexandra Williams

Identical twins and fitness pros Kymberly Williams-Evans, MA and Alexandra Williams, MAhave been in the fitness industry since the first aerobics studio opened--with them--on the European continent back when leg warmers and thong leotards were the rage. Their fitness experience spans 3 decades on land, sea, and airwaves.

Kymberly has taught fitness on 4 continents in 4 languages for 30 years to more than 10,000 exercisers. She is former faculty at University California Santa Barbara (UCSB) in the Department of Exercise & Sport Studies. IDEA, the International Association for Health and Fitness Professionals tapped her to serve as the inaugural editor for Fitness Edge, a publication devoted solely to group exercise leaders. Finally she knew enough people in the exercise world that she became a three-time nominee and finalist for IDEA’s Program Director of the Year award.

Kymberly also worked the mind attaining a Master's Degree in English. Her true specialty was conducting business writing seminars and helping professionals communicate more effectively in the business world. From hosting an international fitness TV program to serving as grammar expert on a live show, Kymberly has led, moved and grooved with energy and good grammar for all.

Alexandra has been teaching, presenting and writing about fitness for over 25 years (since she was 7 and 1/2)! Currently on staff in the Exercise Studies Department at UCSB, she is also a contributing editor and writer for IDEA Health and Fitness Association's many publications. As an international presenter, Alexandra enjoyed her honeymoon in Venezuela after judging their national fitness championships.

Alexandra has her advanced degree in counseling, which qualifies her to ask nosy questions of her two teens. Combining her love of words and the microphone, she has also had a successful run as a radio presenter, emcee and comedian. She loves to work, so she also writes for her blog and is a frequent guest contributor to a variety of blogs about business and health.

Kymberly and Alexandra are also the Hosts of Fun and Fit on WomensRadio. Fun and Fit offers answers to audiences’ fitness questions, shares Fun Fit Facts, faces Freak Out Fit Facts head on and helps listeners cut through the hype and fat to reach their fitness goals. Learn, laugh and live it up on your road to health and fitness!

Comments

  1. Calla Gold says
    March 7, 2013 at 8:09 pm

    Wow, what an amazing life story she has! It is amazing and wonderful that she found joy in yoga, and thus life.

  2. Dr. Valerie Girard says
    April 23, 2013 at 10:16 pm

    What a beautiful story about Phyllis. I am inspired to keep my daily yoga going and love the idea that it develops more compassion for ourselves/