To get a quick idea of who someone may be and their approach to life, we need look no further than the Astrological Big 3.
* * * * * * *
Astrological Big 3:
The Sun (individuality)
The Moon (way of relating, emotions)
Ascendant or Rising Sign (façade, personality)
* * * * * * *
Debbie's Astrological Big 3:
Sun: Leo - Fixed Fire
Moon: Gemini - Mutable Air
Rising: Cancer - Cardinal Water
Leo is enthusiastic, inspirational, courageous, dramatic, and a natural leader. Fixed means Debbie stays the course, steady as she goes!
Gemini is quick witted, chatty, loves to learn, and share ideas. Mutable means Debbie can be flexible (she is a yoga teacher, after all) and goes with the flow.
Cancer is sensitive, emotive, nurturing, and action-oriented around family and creating safe, comfortable surroundings. Cardinal means Debbie takes the initiative and doesn't wait for life to come to her.
* * * * * * *
This gives you a hint about me. What are your Big 3? Don't know? Book a consultation to find out!
How did I get into yoga, astrology, and Human Design? Glad you asked!
My love affair with astrology began when, barely old enough to read, about age 7 or 8, I memorized the 12 zodiac signs from the astrology-themed kitchen matches my Aquarius mom had on-hand. As I got into my teens, I started casting charts by hand, pre-computer age, which is the best way to learn!
I have my family and friends trained that as soon as babies are born, they know to jot down the exact birth time for me. Astrologers want to know!
In 1979, I discovered a book on yoga. I was a high school gymnast at the time, and after seeing photos of headstands, back bends, and the splits, things I’d been doing since childhood, I realized I’d been doing yoga most of my life. Before school, I'd practice yoga next to my water bed and lava lamp. This was 1979 after all!
Twenty-two years later, in 2001, I obtained my first yoga certification and began teaching yoga. I have a 500-hour teaching certification, and lead modules on the yoga sutras in yoga teacher training programs.
The Human Design System found me in 2006. I learned I am a Projector (guide, adviser), 3/5 Profile, Emotional Solar Plexus-authority, Right Angle Cross of the Unexpected. Projectors are here to guide and advise, but we need to wait for an invitation before sharing our penetrating wisdom and insights. I'm now 17 years into my Human Design experiment. I love the clarity and success (Projector key word) I experience when applying its principles to my own life, and sharing it's philosophy with others.
Most of my career was spent as an Executive Assistant and Office Manager. I've worked for CEOs, Presidents, Vice Presidents, and managers of large corporations and small mom 'n pop businesses.
2001 was a big year for me. In January of that year, my career as an executive assistant ended with yet another corporate layoff. Instead of looking for another administrative position, I founded a professional development and motivational speaking and coaching business. I also started teaching yoga that year.
For seven months in 2003, from Atlanta to Seattle, I conducted over two hundred sales training workshops promoting Brian Tracy’s one-day sales training events to every type of sales business - from mortgage companies to mortuaries, from real estate offices to car dealerships. The experience taught me to think on my feet while relating to diverse audiences in a variety of settings. And how to navigate new cities pre-GPS!
Later that year, I moved to Southern California to work with Rhythm Journey Drum Circles promoting corporate team building drum circles. Yes, you read that right, drum circles! As a drummer, I enjoy giving others the experience of entrainment that happens in a rhythmical activity like drumming or breathing together. The unifying effects of entrainment last for days and weeks.
In 2005, I won the Platform Performance award from at the National Speakers Association, Greater Los Angeles Chapter, for my three minute inspirational / motivational speech. I performed an advanced yoga demonstration…on a table...while speaking to the audience! The audience’s response? “Some people talk about focus, Debbie Barnett demonstrates focus, loud and clear!” You can watch a video of it on my Astro Yoga Woman YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqM1pbuq5JM
I began reading astrology charts professionally in 2006, after reading for friends and family for many years.
In 2008, I published a book, “The Deeper the Roots, the Juicier the Fruits! 8 Spiritual Practices for a Juicy Life.” This small, illustrated, colorful book is like a yoga class in your back pocket.
In 2010, during a Jupiter return, the Orange County (CA) Probation Department honored me with an Outstanding Probation Volunteer award for teaching Hatha Yoga and yoga philosophy to incarcerated male minors in Juvenile Hall. Minors and staff cited my approachability, sense of humor, and ability to make yoga fun and accessible as reasons for the recognition. The students called it "chollo yoga," and claimed, "Real gangster do yoga!"
2011 saw my yoga teaching career take off, teaching up to 14 classes per week. I was also involved in developing, leading, and mentoring yoga teachers in yoga teacher training programs. In 2012, I completed my 500-hour yoga certification through Be The Change Yoga in Irvine, CA.
In late 2016, I made the move to Tucson, Arizona. I enjoy being surrounded by mountains, the beauty of the Sonoran desert, and the laid-back lifestyle Tucson offers. Hiking, biking, camping, socializing, and of course yoga, are some favorite activities.
I continue to teach yoga and conduct readings and consultations for clients across the globe, guiding them in their decision making process to choose the best path forward to fulfil their potential.
Enough about me. How can the Astro Yoga Woman help you?