Written by Mary Feser
Noah Fabie, a sophomore Winter Start, is not just a student at Colorado College, but also a teacher. Certified in Core Power Yoga Sculpt, a style of yoga that fuses traditional yoga postures with weightlifting and cardio, Fabie teaches several classes per week in the multipurpose room of El Pomar Fitness Center. Fabie began practicing yoga in high school as an alternative to hockey when he had shoulder surgery. “I lost the ability to lift heavy weights or do any sort of big training,” explained Fabie. “With that not being an option anymore, I came to yoga and found that as a solid alternative.” Eventually, he developed his practice by completing a 200-hour teacher training.
The Yoga Sculpt class, while difficult—it is known to some as “scary yoga”—is not as intimidating as it looks. “I advertise the class as a choose-your-own-adventure thing,” Fabie described. “You have two sets of weights and a block, but you don’t need to use your weights if you don’t want to. Just find something that works for you.” It is also a space free from judgement, competitiveness, and comparisons. “Especially at CC, I think it’s really easy to want to compare yourself to your friends or your classmates, and to always have this urge to want to be the best,” said Fabie. “That’s really unhealthy, especially in fitness where everyone’s body is unique.” Instead, the class is a place to forget the stresses of the Block Plan, relax, and let yourself be in the moment, all while getting a great workout.
Yoga is not Fabie’s only interest at CC; he is also a referee for intramural hockey and an organizer for Llamapalooza. “This block it’s a hockey-yoga-Llama focus,” Fabie joked. His participation in Llamapalooza, which entails finding artists that fit the CC vibe, contacting them to see whether they are available, and making sure costs are covered, stems from his love for music.
Fabie plays guitar and is currently taking Music Theory, which he says is a challenge. “I like to talk about music and listen to music and play, but the science behind it has always been kind of difficult for me,” he explained.
Right now, Fabie’s plan is to major in Economics with a Business concentration, and to combine that knowledge with his love for music by working in the music industry after he graduates. “It’s interesting…how one discipline can cover so many different aspects,” Fabie reflected. “For me, it’s more so the business aspect of it.” Fabie spent his first semester at CC abroad in London, Paris, Florence, and Bratislava. His travels gave him the opportunity to observe the European music industry and the economic factors that might influence how music “flows across cultures.” While his post-graduation goal is to move to U.S. music hotspots such as New York, Los Angeles, or Nashville to work for one of the big record labels, he is also considering working abroad.
“The big three labels tend to have a lot of overseas operations,” said Fabie. “[Pop music] is usually coming from America and the UK so there a lot of places where you can work abroad and get into that music scene. I think that’s what I’d like to do if I can get the chance.”What are Fabie’s goals for the rest of his time at CC? One is to get more involved with the Colorado Springs community by working with the homeless. “[Homelessness is the] biggest issue in our community,” Fabie said. “It comes down to just normal people doing what we can to make sure these people can get some opportunities and find their way out of whatever situation they might be in.” Fabie believes we need to give disadvantaged members of the community more support by working with people individually.
Fabie also wants to make sure that the Yoga Sculpt scene stays strong at CC and continues after he leaves. While the classes are already well attended, Fabie says there is always room for more people who want to take some time to work out, let the stresses of the day go, and have some fun.