Live like a local in Healdsburg: Q&As, happy happenings, sneak peeks, and access discounts and perks
Q&A Features + Good to Know
How does a yogi whose family owns one of the oldest wineries in Sonoma County find balance in wine country? Read our Q&A below with Barbara Fitzgerald.
By Caroline Bontia
Q. Can you please share a bit about yourself, how you came to live in Sonoma County, your interest in yoga, and how you're involved in the winery industry?
My name is Barbara Fitzgerald, and I am so proud to live in Healdsburg, mostly because the people who make up this community are so special. I am the Director of Marketing & Membership for DaVero Farms & Winery and a yoga teacher at Yoga on Center. I am a big time runner, and love to host dinner parties. I was born and raised in San Francisco, but my family owns one of the oldest wineries in Sonoma County, so we always had ties here. My family has been in the wine industry since 1933, so it runs through my veins. I am very much one to chart my own course, so I made a few other career stops along the way, before I realized that I could make my own niche in this industry that my family helped to build. I don’t work for my family, but they have given me such an incredible foundation to spread my wings. Ultimately, I moved to Healdsburg (11 years ago!) to be with my husband, who has lived here since 2000. My interest in yoga has always been part of my search for deeper understanding, combined with my passion for somatic movement. I’m a big soul searcher, and from the beginning, yoga provided me opportunities to learn about myself (even back when I thought it just felt “good” in my body).
Q. I remembered reading your bio from Yoga on Center that you're a California state champion in yoga! What was your training process for that and what did that competition entail?
Full disclosure, I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with the idea of a yoga “competition.” Yoga poses are just the surface of something intangible and profound, so how can you rank that work? Looking back now, it feels almost irresponsible, especially because the goal of yoga is NOT to be “flexible” or limber. But, I also don’t regret it (live and learn). Back then, I was in my early 20s and pretty lost. Yoga, and rigorous asana, taught me discipline in a time when I needed it most. It also taught me to be more appreciative of the body with which I, like so many others, have an extremely complicated relationship. I practiced yoga asana for 2+ hours a day, 6-7 days a week and worked with a longtime teacher outside of class to learn dills, etc. One of the greatest things I learned through that whole experience is how to keep my cool when the stakes are high. You were on stage for three minutes, in complete silence and totally alone. You had to get through 7 postures, and you had to hold each for at least 5 seconds (if I’m remembering correctly). You couldn’t rush, but you had to keep good pace. You had to drown out the pressure of the entire room’s eyes on you and trust that the work you had done leading up to it prepared you for that moment. These tools are invaluable, so while I am devoutly devoted to teaching yoga as more than just postures, I am so grateful for what this experience taught me.
Q. As a yoga instructor with a family that's part of the wine business -- do you see any similarities in philosophies?
I think the beauty of yoga is that it applies to everything, because it’s a way to live your life. Yoga teaches us to observe, unpack, accept, persevere, dig deeper, take action, appreciate, breathe, and always, always be learning. Yoga is about knowing yourself better so you can show up better in the world; the wine industry is all about relationships, and bringing people together. When we show up better, we can be stronger in our relationships.
Q. What are some of your favorite places to visit and patronize in Healdsburg and Sonoma County?
I’m Italian, so being around a table with food, wine, and your people is in my DNA! I love, love Diavola, Barndiva, and Campofina (and the families that run them!). I’m big on the outdoors, so I love going for hikes at Lake Sonoma and Foothills Regional Park. I love Gathered and Market 337 when shopping for gifts, Dragonfly for houseplants and flowers, Shelton’s for groceries, Wash & Brush-Up for my hair, Dailey Method for some butt-kicking with a smile. We’re so lucky to have so many great places (run by wonderful people!) in this town.
Q. Any silver linings during this time?
Related to quarantine — more time to cook! I’ve been working from home since March. When I was working in my office, I wouldn’t get home until 6/6:30, and by then I was too tired to make anything more than a simple salad or some sautéed veggies. But now, I definitely have more time to get creative. With our weekends freed up, my husband and I also spent a ton of time fixing up our garden and backyard. Our schedule was so crazy before this time, and we were hardly ever home; so more time to be home and work with our hands has been quite nourishing. Related to the current protests, I’ve really been thrust from passivity to action — my two industries (wellness and wine), are seriously lacking in diversity and representation. I’ve been learning a lot over these last few weeks and it’s been uncomfortable to acknowledge where I haven’t done enough, or have been a part of the problem. But the silver lining is the kick in the pants to do something about it. I am working with other colleagues to develop programs that support and enhance diversity in all factions of the wine industry, and am doing what I can to incorporate diversity in my yoga teachings (from little things like the music I play and the brands I wear, to bigger things like the themes I teach and the voice I amplify). I guess that’s less of a “silver lining” and more of a “long time coming.”
Barbara Jean Fitzgerald
E-RYT 200
www.yogawithbarbarajean.com
www.facebook.com/yogawithbarbarajean
Instagram: @barbarajean_yoga
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