What do you love most about yoga practice?

I love the way yoga brings an awareness of my body; as the energy moves through me, I feel strong and in control. When practicing yoga, I'm doing something wonderful just for me, so in essence, it's a celebration of self. That celebration of self is also part of why I'm tattooed. Just like in yoga, I'm honoring my body in appreciation but through art. There's a misconception that tattooing is a form of mutilation or harm. I couldn't disagree more. For most who are tattooed, it is a very positive, self-affirming act. In most tribal cultures, tattooing has long been part of identity and beautification rituals, and I think that's true in Western society today and the tattoo renaissance we're experiencing. I do, indeed, feel more beautiful with my tattoos.

What do you love most about your tattoos?

That celebration of self yoga brings to me is also part of why I'm tattooed. Just like in yoga, I'm honoring my body in appreciation but through art. There's a misconception that tattooing is a form of mutilation or harm. I couldn't disagree more. For most who are tattooed, it is a very positive, self-affirming act. In most tribal cultures, tattooing has long been part of identity and beautification rituals, and I think that's true in Western society today and the tattoo renaissance we're experiencing. I do, indeed, feel more beautiful with my tattoos.

Do you have a favorite tattoo, or are they, collectively a whole story?

I love all my tattoos because they all tell my story, like a diary written on skin. While my larger work on my back and arms are decorative, they mark very specific moments in my life. For example, patterns in my tattoos include motifs from the Greek island of Chios where my father is from, as well as artwork found along my travels like tile designs in Morocco or Spanish iron work I photographed in Madrid.

But if I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be the small, Mehndi-inspired tattoo on my right hand-the first tattoo I received from my now-husband Daniel DiMattia of Calypso Tattoo [calypsotattoo.com]. While I had a number of tattoos before meeting Dan, all my big work has since been created by him.

We LOVE how you followed your heart to move from Brooklyn to Belgium to co-create a life with your beloved. Gathering up your roots and moving forward into the whole world! A dazzling leap of faith that resulted in an original and beautiful creation in needled.com, unlike anything that has existed before. You are such an inspiration to us all. How has yoga - on or off the mat - guided all this boldness?

Well, first, it definitely is a stress buster! Spending half my week as a consultant in corporate law firms in Brussels and the other half writing about body art and traveling word wide to tattoo conventions can be a pretty schizophrenic existence. Yoga keeps me centered.

But most of all, I've learned not to be afraid to follow my passion, despite naysayers. Just out of law school, I found myself working on Wall Street, making tons of money, wining and dining...and being utterly miserable. I felt soulless. Over the years, through much trial and error, I've found this balance in my life: working part-time in law to support myself but also creating and writing Needled, which may not pay off all my travel bills, but feeds my passion for tattooing and promoting it as a fine art form.

That's why Needled was started by my friend Josh Rubin and me, to bring a little beauty to the Internet via walking works of art. We never went into it seeking to get rich off it, but our devotion and love for the site did indeed pay off when Rivr Media Interactive purchased Needled from us in May. I not only continue to be the editor of the blog [http://needled.com/blog/] but I also help produce these new and beautiful high definition videos on tattoo art.

Have you found special places in Belgium and Europe and all the places your company, Needled.com, takes you, to practice and reconnect with yourself?

A great aspect of yoga is that it can be done any time and any where. For example, my husband has also started to practice with me, in addition to his daily Tai Chi, and recently we found ourselves in a hotel room before a convention helping each other into poses to relax and take our minds off the electric but intense atmosphere of these types of gatherings. More than just connecting with myself, as a couple, it also brings us closer together.

We at American Yogini love your website creation-- even those among us who are not tattooed. What we see and appreciate is how friendly and generous your site is. It successfully removes the fear that separates people by presenting something that is often emotionally polarized: either judged in a negative way by the non-tattooed or as a rebel identity for those who are tattooed. There's nothing like a little friendly information and compassionate sharing to dissolve the illusion of separateness.

Thank you! I love the democratization of tattooing and Needled celebrates the diversity of aficionados of the art. From executives to soccer moms, yogis to bikers, tattoos stimulate conversation and a connection among people from all different backgrounds.

Were you calling upon Ganesha, the remover of obstacles when you dreamed it up?

That's a great question because Ganesha is becoming an ever-increasing presence in tattooing. I have seen numerous tattoos, including full backpieces [http://www.flickr.com/photos/harizanmai/525908240/] honoring the deity. In fact, East Asian iconography in general, the beauty and power of its symbolism in artwork, is finding its way on more and more bodies-a better trend than your average spring-break mistake of the past.

For me, I channeled my Greek homegirls: Demeter, Artemis, Athena and Aphrodite. I'm sure the Muses were also dancing around us when we conjured up Needled.

Anything else you would like to share with our readers?

I want to thank you for such a wonderful experience and your guidance during my juice fast. Not only did my body feel healthier and stronger afterward, but my tattoos looked like new! It was also fabulous to practice yoga and pilates in a loving, no-judgment environment.

As we meditate on loving kindness on the mat, we should remember to keep it in mind always, especially when meeting those whose appearance is quite different or even shocking. We are all works of art, tattooed or not.

Namaste, Marissa - we all miss you here in the USA!

Namaste, Mary. I'll be back soon most definitely!
Visit Marisa's amazing website at http:www.needled.com, and be sure to check out her blog too!

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