At Ripple, we believe that movement is more than just exercise- it’s a way to heal, to express, and to come home to ourselves. Today, we’re sitting down with a woman who embodies this truth in every breath she takes.
Yaara, a yoga teacher, pole dancer, and a dear member of the Ripple family, shares her journey through loss, discovery, and the transformative power of the body.
Yaara, tell us a little bit about yourself.
"My name is Yaara Israel. I’m 33 years old, a mother to my sweet 3-year-old son, Rom, and our dog, Marlene. Two and a half years ago, I became a widow after the sudden and tragic loss of my beloved husband. It was a life-altering event that stopped everything in its tracks. I dedicated myself entirely to raising my son and to my own emotional recovery and healing."
What kind of movement do you love?
"I love movement, period. I’ve always used my body to express myself. I spent most of my life in a studio- classical ballet and modern dance as a girl, and later, I discovered Yoga, training as a Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Rocket teacher. About two years ago, I added pole dancing to my repertoire as well."
How did your Yoga journey begin?
"It happened by accident when I was 22, living in Venice Beach, California. I was suffering from back and knee pain and had to stop dancing. To stay sane, I started walking around my neighborhood and found a yoga studio right under my house. I walked in, totally clueless, and asked if yoga could help someone with 'chronic pain.' The teacher was so kind; she explained the healing qualities of yoga and invited me to a class.
I didn’t fall in love immediately-I remember cursing through most of the first class! But then came Savasana, and that’s where the magic happened. I kept at it, and the pain I thought was permanent disappeared within the first month."
What does Yoga mean to you today?
"It’s my gateway to myself and my body’s natural healing abilities. Over ten years of practice, it has become my most supportive anchor. It’s been there through high stress, through joy, through injury, and through pregnancy and birth. It taught me a language of breath and self-observation without judgment."
What drew you to Pole Dancing during such a difficult crisis?
"The universe sent me an angel named Gala Asel. She owns a pole studio and after hearing about my loss, she reached out to me- a total stranger- and invited me to train for free. It took a while to find the courage, but I went there two months after my husband passed away. I was shattered and exhausted.
I couldn't do much in that first session, but I didn't stop trying. When I walked out, I felt alive. At that time, yoga felt too emotionally overwhelming; I needed something new to pull me out of myself. The focus required for pole dancing- the grip, the spin, the flow- literally saved me from the depths of grief and depression."
Yoga and Pole Dance seem like opposites. How do they work together for you?
"I don’t see them as opposites, but as complements. Yoga is the Earth element- it gives me ground, stability, and builds my inner confidence. Pole dance is the Air element. It connects me to a sense of freedom (I’ve always dreamed of flying!) and allows me to tell a story through musicality. Yoga teaches me to breathe into my heart; Pole dance teaches me to open it with pride."
Pole dancing often faces stigmas. How do you see it?
"Many don’t know that pole acrobatics originated in India (much like Yoga!) as a male military and wrestling training. When it reached the West, the minimal clothing- which is a functional necessity for grip- led to objectification.
But for me, it’s about capability. When my world collapsed and I had to hold everything together for my son, the feeling of literally being able to lift myself up and hang on that pole made me feel 'all-powerful.' There is no substitute for that feeling of strength."
For International Women’s Day, what is your message to women thats going trough hard time?
"Dear woman, if you are in a crisis right now and you don’t feel strong, remember: your strength hasn’t disappeared; it is simply drawing inward.
Your body is not against you. It is breathing with you, holding you, and surviving with you. Even if you don’t feel powerful right now, your body is a living testament to everything you’ve endured. Strength isn’t just a muscle; it’s the courage to feel, to ask for help, and to rise again- even with one tiny step. I don’t wish for you to become stronger, but to remember the strength that already lives inside you."
What is it like to be part of the Ripple family?
"Wearing Ripple feels like a hug from Mother Earth. The natural fabrics are so soft, and the fit is incredibly flattering to the female body.
But beyond the clothes, Ripple is family. I’m actually a former employee, and Adva is the most giving boss I’ve ever had. She has a huge heart. Even after I moved on to a new path, that connection stayed. So when the team reached out for this collaboration, I didn't hesitate for a second. I told Adva: I’m in- just tell me where and when!"
