Name: Adina Crawford

Location: Germantown, MD

Favorite Athletic brew: Atletica

Instagram: @adinavcrawford

Photo credits: Ahmar Shah

It’s not everyday you get an entire holiday to celebrate you, but the town of Springfield, Mass., celebrates Adina Crawford every October. 

Adina is a yoga teacher, runner and community guru who loves to bring people together. She hosts many community events and yoga classes to foster relationships and build connections through activity and movement. 

“Over the years, I feel I have really fostered a lot of great relationships,” Adina says. “I invite people who know me but may not know each other. It provides us all an opportunity to learn something new and build relationships. And it all builds over time.”

Read on to learn more about Adina and how she stays grounded through activity and teaching!

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Tell me a little bit about yourself and how fitness and sports came into your life. 

My name is Adina Crawford. I’m also known as Deanie the Yogini. I am what you call a late bloomer in terms of my fitness journey. I grew up not really participating in gym class and sitting on the sidelines. In my mid- to late-30s, I started my fitness journey: I completed my first half-marathon in my late 30s, and also did several 10Ks and 5Ks. I’m 60 years old and still moving!

How did yoga come into your life?

After years of running, I needed to find an alternative way to stay moving. Yoga became my go-to, and it was a great balance to complement the running. It is true that yoga will make you a better runner. 

What have you enjoyed most about teaching yoga?

In my journey as a yoga practitioner, I have found such a vast community of people from all walks of life. I feel accomplished to have helped so many people feel more empowered and grounded through yoga. Truly finding the self discovery within is a beautiful thing.  

What’s your favorite yoga pose?

Warrior 3.

What are some of the other things you enjoy about yoga?

A lot of times, the story about yoga is what a person looks like. When I wrote my book, Mind Your Breath: Activating Your JOY, I wanted people to understand yoga is for all bodies. You move the way it feels good in your body. Having control of your breath will help with your body. 

The book is a collection of small, little stories to help you through your daily life: through moments of uncertainty and moments of “I need a pick-me-up.” When we quiet the mind, the soul will speak. 

It’s a short read but powerful because it is relatable to our everyday lives.

What advice do you have for someone trying to get into yoga?

If you are looking to start your journey in yoga, do your research, ask questions, and see what studio is the proper fit for you. Sometimes, you go into a certain studio and you end up feeling a little out of place. You will eventually find somewhere where you feel comfortable. 

Do your research and find out what method of yoga works for you. My favorite is yin, and there’s also restorative, vinyasa, and power plus many other versions to practice. Meet your body where it is in whatever style you choose. We all come in different shapes and sizes. That’s what makes the world go around; everyone is different. 

There is Adina Crawford day (Oct. 30 every year) in your hometown! Can you tell us more about that?

Growing up in Springfield, Mass., my family was always heavily involved in the community. I moved to the Delaware/Maryland/Virginia area and got the opportunity to collaborate with a Fleet Feet store in the area for a fitness event. Springfield, Mass., Mayor Dominic Sarno is actually a former high school classmate of mine! They deemed on the proclamation that every Oct. 30 is the official Adina Crawford Day.

 

 

 

You mentioned community building as one of the most important aspects of your life. Can you tell us more about what that means to you?

My philosophy is that when we foster good relationships, we build bridges for people to connect. Each time I host events, I will invite a lot of different people. I feel we do such a great deed, and we’re fostering community and great conversations. 

Over the years, I feel I have really fostered a lot of great relationships. I invite people who know me but may not know each other. It provides us all an opportunity to learn something new and build relationships. And it all builds over time.

How did you find Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic beer and the Athletic Brewing Ambassador program?

I’ve been in the space of collaboration and brand partnerships for a long time. A friend of mine mentioned Athletic Brewing during Dry January. I became hooked thereafter! The brews are really nice and refreshing. They’re nice to have with a burger. I got involved in the Ambassador Program after hearing about it through a friend. 

What are some of your proudest achievements? 

When I did the Chicago Marathon in 2017, that was a big achievement for me. It took 6 months to train and prepare.

Also, being able to open up at Fan Fest for the Boston Marathon. To be put on the marathon page as a woman of color, it’s a big flex. That has been one of my bigger achievements, to be able to do that. When people see me at other events I am doing, people want me to come back.

I’m also proud of being able to partner with REI and go out to the Bay Area and open up for an Olympic athlete.

 

 

 

Do you have any bucket list races, events, or achievements you'd like to attain one day?

Portugal  is one of the places I really want to run. I’ve been looking at some different events. Antarctica is also on the bucket list. There is a half marathon and a full marathon there. I met a lady in Bermuda who did the half in Antarctica. She had 16 layers of clothing on! I also really want to go to Paris. I usually go with the flow, but definitely want to go to these three places.

What is your favorite recovery food?

French fries. I love a good fry! I will do research on who has the best fries where I go to travel. The best one I’ve ever had was in Zermatt, Switzerland. It was from a vending machine!

What do you like to do on rest days?

A lot of self care: skincare, massages, and down time. I’m a big fan of word searches, too. It really helps stimulate my learning by increasing my vocabulary and spelling.

What gets you up and out of bed every day?

God, the man upstairs. Before my feet even touch the floor, I am giving thanks for another day.

What does living a life #FitForAllTimes mean to you?

I feel like it means to sprinkle your brilliance everywhere you go. You have to be in the space for it. Our bodies are all different. It’s important to accept wherever you are in your journey and sprinkle your brilliance everywhere you go. Be unique.