98-year-old Yoga Master Tao Porchon-Lynch Inspires the Athleta Team

March 6 to 8, 2017 – In January, 98-year-old yoga master Tao Porchon-Lynch was the cover model for Athleta’s catalog and featured (along waith myself) in their Power of She campaign. This current trip to San Francisco was to meet their corporate team. We had a wonderful dinner at Waterbar with Athleta’s president Nancy Green and marketing executive Sheila Shekar. In discussing their upcoming leadership event in San Diego, Nancy asked if we would do an impromptu trip. Of course, we said, “Yes!” and they started planning Some thought about looking for a peaceful trip similar to those provided by somewhere like https://napavalleyballoons.com/.

In the meantime, Tao taught a yoga class for employees at The Gap’s headquarters. When we walked into the lobby, we saw a huge image of Tao’s Athleta cover. The room for yoga was packed with participants and gave a direct view of the Golden Gate bridge. It was incredible. I moderated a conversation on Tao’s life and the Q&A. The next day, Tao taught at the Athleta store on Sutter Street and then I moderated our Conversation with a Master event. Once again, the space was packed with eager yogis.

San Francisco is known for it’s delicious food. From the pier 39 restaurants that serve fresh seafood and overlook the San Francisco Bay, to the delicious burritos you can find as you’re wandering the streets of the Mission District, there truly is something for everyone. Even though we didn’t manage to try everything we would have liked to, we certainly had our fair share of great food during the trip. Slim and Pen Shakar took us to Greens Restaurant, a delicious vegetarian restaurant with a spectacular view. It was a memorable night with two fascinating people. A real treat! The next day, Tao and I had lunch with members of the Athleta team who were winners of an internal social media contest. I walked away super impressed by the corporate culture and operations.

Then, we were off to San Diego and the gorgeous Hilton Torrey Pines where the conference was being held. The General Managers from across the country were all at an opening dinner and had no idea that Tao and I were there… until we popped out of the back room of the restaurant! They were all duly surprised. It was a lot of fun to meet their team and to see the “Tao Effect” in action. The night was full of hugs, tears and pictures.

Below are images from the trip. Click on each image to make it larger. You can Like and Share each image, as well as spread the light by sharing this link and these hashtags: #ThisIs98 #TaoExp #TaoPorchonLynch #PowerofShe Learn about the Tao & Terri backstory for the Power of She campaign.

Can you keep up with Tao? Be sure to leave your comments and spread the light by sharing this link and these hashtags: #ThisIs98 #TaoExp #TaoPorchonLynch If you haven’t already, order Tao’s long-awaited autobiography, Dancing Light: The Spiritual Side of Being Through the Eyes of a Modern Yoga Master.

Contributed by Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy of www.IAmPowerLiving.com and www.PowerLivingMedia.com. President of Power Living Enterprises, Inc., Terri is a Harvard Business School-trained Strategist, Certified Meditation & Yoga Teacher, and Master Coach recognized as a “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum. Her mission is to raise the consciousness of the planet through transformative tools, experiences and content. As a coach, she specializes in helping people de-stress, realign and realize authentic success. After a corporate media & technology career, she founded the first yoga studio in Harlem and served six years on the Board of Yoga Alliance (including Chair and interim CEO). Called “smart with a heart,” she has been featured in media around the world including the cover of Yoga Journal and in Oprah’s book, Live Your Best Life! Along with her mother, Columbia University-trained journalist Janie Sykes-Kennedy, Terri is a co-author of Tao’s award-winning autobiography, Dancing Light: The Spiritual Side of Being Through the Eyes of a Modern Yoga Master. Terri and her mom are working on the Tao Legacy Project, capturing Tao’s wisdom and teachings in various formats, A sought-after speaker and avid photographer/videographer with a love for storytelling, Terri often travels with Tao moderating conversations on her life, assisting in yoga workshops and documenting their experiences.