It’s the added bonus for us at team She Said (when creating the opening paragraph and googling for specifics about the featured lady), finding they’re even more amazing than we already thought. Stasia is no exception to these moments! A former opera singer, Stasia Forsythe Siena, has served on the faculty of Indiana University and Milliken University and currently teaches the Alexander Technique for the University of Illinois School of Music. Over the past fifteen years, she has taught the Alexander Technique in university, conservatory, and master class settings throughout the United States and abroad. In addition to teaching, Stasia enjoys music, travel, Bikram Yoga and dance breaks with her two energetic children. She also maintains a private teaching studio in Champaign—if you are interested in private Alexander Technique lessons please contact her at stasiasiena@yahoo.com.
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What are you grateful for today?
I’m a very positive person. But it occurs to me on almost a daily basis that we are all just a twist of fate away from illness, accident or a difficult diagnosis. So today I’m grateful for good health. And guardian angels, which are perhaps not unrelated to the first thing. Oh! And coffee. I’m grateful for that, too.
Tell us about one of your friends and what you love about her.
She is a very rare bird, who sees clearly beneath the surface and consistently exemplifies grace, integrity, strength, humility and compassion. She is a force of nature, yet lives quietly – and always to principle. She is a beacon of light to everyone in her sphere and my personal yardstick for a life in service to others.
Describe one of the best days of your life.
There have been three best days of my life: The day I married my husband, the day my son was born and the day my daughter arrived – in chronological order. Any day upon which one finds oneself breathing is a very good day in my book!
What’s the best lesson you learned from your mother/grandmother?
My mother is hugely talented and infinitely creative. She taught me by example to always dig deeper and to think outside the box.
We’re all unique. What is your special gift?
As a teacher of the Alexander Technique, I am trained to identify habitual patterns and help people grow and change. But I’ll go out on a limb and say that my ability to perceive is more gift than it is training.
What could women be doing to make their community a better place?
Loving each other. And getting together for house cleaning parties.
What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
This is one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves – our daughters, our sisters and our friends. We should ask it on a daily basis, as the answer helps us get at our deepest desires and take stock of our spiritual “bucket list.” We’re not always limited by fear, though. Often times there are other things holding us back: time, energy, funding or support. If I weren’t afraid (of outsizing my mini-van), I’d eat ice cream on a daily basis. And throw away my cell phone.
