Hometown: Born: Monterrey, California, Raised: Malverne, NY, Home: Where my heart is.

Favorite inspirational quote: “Old paint on a canvas, as it ages, sometimes becomes transparent. When that happens it is possible, in some pictures, to see the original lines: a tree will show through a woman’s dress, a child makes way for a dog, a large boat is no longer on an open sea. That is called pentimento because the painter “repented,” changed his mind. Perhaps it would be as well to say that the old conception, replaced by a later choice, is a way of seeing and then seeing again. “ Lillian Hellman     “Seeing and then seeing again” is how I look at everything.  I am continually reviewing and revising my vision of myself and the world I live in, seeking to see more each time I look, to see something new and unexpected even in those people and places I have known my whole life.

When/where/with who was your first yoga class? I had taken a yoga class here and there but in April of 2007 I came to Metrowest Yoga and took my first class with Shawn and that was Yoga!  I was hooked!

What / who inspires you? Art and artists, people who dream big and live their dreams, my husband who lives with Diabetes and has never once said “why me”, my son Jake who not only sees the glass half full but overflowing with optimism and good will and my son Max who is a deep thinker and also deeply sensitive.

What I love most about yoga is: The way it makes me feel thrilled to be alive; grateful to my body for carrying my spirit and grateful to my spirit for loving connection with other people.

What you can’t live without? Love, sunshine and good coffee

What you might not know about me: I lived in Las Vegas for 5 years and while there started a catering company named Food for Thought.

Best advice you’ve ever received (from who?):  My dad perpetually told me “he who hesitates is lost” – I have always taken it to mean seize opportunity – trust your intuition – move forward.

My favorite book: It’s hard to limit it to one but a friend once told me to read “100 Years of Solitude” by Gabriela Garcia Marquez, telling me it would change my life . I loved the book and every time I think of it I wonder if it changed my life and I think of my friend so perhaps it did.

Favorite Word:  Shalom (Hebrew) – it means hello, goodbye and peace.

Local escape: My art studio in Westborough center

My favorite thing to do(other than yoga): Draw and paint

Learn more about Stefanie by visiting http://outoflineartanddesign.com/