Roxann Archer

Meet Roxann Archer! Roxann is a joy to have in classes. Roxann also takes care of us at Metta with her green thumb. She is responsible for our beautiful window succulents in Corte Madera.

It’s a joy to have you in classes with us, Roxann! We love seeing you in the studio, and really appreciate your sticking with us throughout the past two years. Livestream, outdoor, indoors with masks, through all our variations of classes, you’ve stuck with us and we’re so grateful! In the beginning, what inspired you to start your yoga practice?

I started my practice 9 years ago as a way to age with health and vitality. I didn’t want to become any less flexible or develop muscular weakness. I’ve always been somewhat of an athlete and wanted to continue being gracefully in my body as I age. Initially I thought it was about touching my toes (something I still don’t do!), but now I know there’s so much more to this practice! I’m no closer to my toes now than I was then, but I’m closer to myself now. It’s more about getting to know me and the world around me.

I am currently an Administrative Nursing Supervisor at Marin Health, and I’ve been with them for over 20 years (I started working there in 1975). I’ve been part of the Marin community and involved in health and wellness for a long time. Adding a personal yoga practice to my career of health and wellness was a natural fit.

In the near decade that you’ve been practicing, have you found a pose that speaks to you? You mentioned touching your toes, but what makes you feel most at home in your body and most connected to the moment? Do you have a favorite pose? 

Savasana! Said with a hearty laugh.

Great choice! I love the sweet surrender and the sensation of melting that our final resting pose brings to us at the end of class! On the flip side, do you have a least favorite pose? 

Honestly, there’s no such thing as a least favorite pose for me. There are just some poses that we need more than others. My yoga abilities have declined in the past several years, and balance has gotten more difficult, but I still come to the practice on a regular basis, and I continue to feel the mental and physical benefits.

That’s interesting, you mentioned your practice has become less about touching your toes and more about knowing yourself, so I would say the awareness you have of your body and the evolution of your practice has done the opposite of decline over the past few years. You’ve become an even deeper and more experienced yogi! The shapes we put our body into as asana, our physical practice, serve as a path to deepen our sense of yoga beyond the body to focus more on the mental and meditative aspects of the practice regardless of the pose. How has your practice changed since you started yoga? Has it changed much in the past two years?

My yoga practice has evolved over the years. Two years ago, I developed Fibromyalgia, and I remember times when taking yoga in the park almost made me cry because there was so much pain. It has gotten better since, but I’m still working on managing it.

Coming to class when we feel discomfort and lack of ease in our bodies is a challenge! I admire you for continuing to come to your mat to reap the additional benefits of the practice beyond the physical poses. As you grow and evolve with Fibromyalgia, do you have a yoga goal?  

My goal is to continue to come and practice. Even if I sit in a chair, I’ll do it!

Thank you for the humbling reminder that yoga benefits us in so many ways beyond achieving a specific pose. We carry the wisdom of our bodies, our breath, and our mindfulness with us off our mats. How do you practice yoga off your mat and out in the world?

I’m not really sure specifically. I always try to share the kindness I receive while practicing yoga with Metta - from the teachers and other students – with whomever I encounter in my nursing practice.

We can attest that you’re kind Roxann! The kindness we give mirrors the kindnesses we’ve received from you. As much as we love seeing you in the studio, we know you’ve got an active life going on outside of class as well. What is your favorite thing to do other than of yoga?

I am a very active bike rider! I have a stationary bike, an electric bike, and a road bike. I enjoy riding to work as well as recreationally with my husband. In addition, I have a degree in art, and enjoy creative artistic outlets including mosaics, painting, and sewing (I’ve been a seamstress since I was a child), and I love to cook!

Your days sound full and joyful! Do you have a favorite place to be other than the studio?

In my home. We built our home about 5-6 years ago, and we’re located just up the hill from the studio. There’s so much wildlife and the bike path is so convenient.

You’ve got such wisdom and life experience to share with us, Roxann. What is your favorite thing about living in the here and now?

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized more and more that the here and now is only for so much longer. The here and now is where we are and what we need to live in. Life only gets shorter and shorter, so there’s no point in reliving the past or predicting the future. Be here now! It ties into my favorite quote, “It is what it is.” This moment, this life; it is what it is, and we need to be here fully each moment and realize how lucky we are.

We are lucky indeed, such a good reminder! Who inspires you?

My husband, Derek, we’ve been married for 32 years, and he takes care of me in every way.

You’ve had many adventures and a life well lived. You’re full of surprises! What are two things most people don’t know about you?

I’m an open book! But you may find it interesting that I met my husband in Saudi Arabia while I was working there as a nurse. Throughout our entire marriage we’ve traveled extensively all over the world. While living in California, and prior to moving to our current home, we owned and operated a bed and breakfast in Napa Valley. Before that, I had a catering company… I’ve worn many hats over the years.

You keep busy, are you currently reading a good book that you’d recommend?

Nope! Not because I don’t love to read, but because I constantly have so many creative projects going on – knitting, beading, working on my art, etc. I’ll read more books when I’m older.

Ok, how about music? Do you have a musician or artist of the moment?

I love music from the 70’s and 80’s!

You’ve traveled extensively, along the way have you developed a favorite food?

I love anything that’s foreign.

What flavor of ice cream is your favorite flavor? 

I’m actually an ice cream fanatic - I love it! My favorite flavor is anything with chocolate. 

Do you have a favorite animal?    

Dobbins and Finnigan, my dog babies. They’re the best dogs and the sweetest companions.

This one will be interesting given what you’ve already shared with us regarding your love of traveling. What is your favorite travel destination? 

Traveling is a passion of ours (my husband and myself). We alternate years of where we go, whether it's Europe in the even years and a less developed destination in the odd years. Covid was an ‘odd’ year, but we still managed to see a new part of the world! In 2020 we went to Myanmar just as covid was taking off. Last year we went to Turkey, and in March we’re going to Sri Lanka. Part of that trip will include 6 days of biking through the countryside – I’m very excited! We’ve been to see the gorillas in Uganda. We went to India a few years ago…

That is a passport many would envy; what a collection of amazing experiences! I imagine life changed quite a bit these last two years. Your career in nursing certainly put you front and center with the pandemic. You were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and yet you continued to thrive and follow your passions and cultivate happiness. We hear so much about the negatives from the past two years for so many, but were there any surprise silver linings for you?

There were (and are) so many silver linings from and through covid. We’ve all learned so much about ourselves, our families, and our vulnerabilities. And, in my work in nursing, it was great to see zero cases of flu last year.

You’ve already shared your love of travel with us, and your travel plans for the coming months, do you have any more big plans for 2022 (& beyond)? 

I’ll retire from my nursing job on my 70th birthday (12/2/22). I’ve already got it planned out and the date is set. After that, I’m sure we’ll travel more, maybe go back to France or explore Bali.

Amazing! Congratulations on your upcoming birthday and retirement. Even if it’s 10 months away, it’s fun to look forward to and plan what happens after!

You’ve led a full and fulfilling life. Do you have children? Do they enjoy yoga?

I have two boys, Darren (43 years old), a daughter-in-law and their 2 kids; and Randy (32 years old). They do not have a yoga practice, and I don’t know if they ever will. I certainly enjoy my yoga, but it’s not something I’ve forced onto them.

Thank you for your wonderful answers and the insight into your life, Roxann! What a pleasure this has been! Is there anything else interesting that you’d like to share with our Metta Yoga community?

The Metta studios and staff have always shown me such kindness and I really appreciate that. I try to give the kindness back through my practice, my work and in my free time.

© METTA YOGA 2021