In this heartfelt conversation between sisters, Modo Co-Founder Jess Robertson sits down with Modo LA, London and Danforth Co-Founder, Deena Robertson, to explore her journey of healing, transformation, and creativity. From the life-changing power of yoga to the cathartic process of songwriting, Deena shares her personal story of overcoming cancer and discovering a deeper connection to herself and the world around her. As a yoga teacher, thriving cancer survivor, and musician, Deena’s wisdom is a beautiful reminder of the strength found in vulnerability, the healing power of movement, and the creative energy that flows when we truly listen to ourselves. Whether you’re on your own path of healing or simply looking for inspiration, this conversation is sure to resonate deeply.
Jess: Hello my sister. Thanks for sharing your story here. We could obviously talk forever. But for the sake of our readers lets dive right in. How did yoga become such a transformative part of your life?
Deena: Yoga literally saved my life. I know people say that, but I truly mean it. I was physically and emotionally broken when I first started to dive into consistent heated practice, and it was like the heat and consistency started to melt everything away. Pain from severe injuries that doctors said would be with me started to disappear, heaviness and fear started to fade from my brain. I just started to feel so good. I just wanted to jump on the rooftops and scream, “Everyone can feel awesome!“
Jess: What is your most memorable experience from one of many Modo Yoga Teacher Training sessions that you taught?
Deena: That is like asking me who is my favorite child, or to choose one drop in an ocean. There are so many endless memories. From seeing people break free from lifelong patterns (including myself), to laughing harder than I ever knew was possible (great for the abs), to talent shows, to sitting and watching in awe as double rainbows appear over the ocean in Brazil. They are the moments that stitched the person I am today.
Jess: So well put. I feel the same way. To this day my time with the participants at the training is so powerful. How about one of the most memorable from your time as acting Director at Modo Yoga London or Modo Yoga LA?
Deena: This moment still affects me to this day: One day, I welcomed a student by name when he walked in the door, which is something I always tried to do with everyone. He held an almost blank stare for a moment and then went into the hot room. During class, I used his name again and acknowledged him without thinking anything of it. About a week later he lingered after class until everyone was gone. He asked if he could talk to me privately. He told me he had planned to commit suicide the other day but when I used his name in class he realized one person might notice he was gone. One person might care. He told me I saved his life. That forever changed how I taught. I deeply realized that being seen by another and truly acknowledging another’s presence is one of the most powerful things out there.
Jess: I remember you telling me that, but I hadn’t thought of that story in so long. Thank you for the reminder. In a similar vein, you have been so generous in sharing your cancer recovery story. Can you tell us about how yoga played a role in your full recovery.
Deena: The greater definition of yoga is what I leaned on. I lay in Savasana each day with a healing playlist and prepared my body for what was to come. I spent a long time in silence. I journaled, I trained my brain. All these were in the tool belt I wore from yoga. My cancer, or my “tumor teacher” as we call it, led to peace and toward becoming a deep inner listener. It was my Modo practice, the lessons that we teach and re-learn again and again at the teacher trainings, that had taught me how to do those things.
Jess: And how did a full cancer recovery and continued remission inform you diving so full force into music? Do you find Yoga and music influence each other creatively?
Deena: From being told I might never be able to speak properly again, to coming out of it all with music pouring out, is a Hollywood ending I couldn’t have ever dreamed up. And yes, to me, music and yoga both drive you into the present moment. They are all encompassing, and because of that it leaves you with this expansive sense of freedom.
Jess: I know that you’ve been singing for your whole life, as your sister I can attest to that! What inspired you to start writing your own songs and sharing them with the world?
Deena: My husband and I laugh that we still feel like we have never written a song. All these songs have flowed out of me (and my husband) through tears, through questioning, through processing. It was a musical journal. I never thought any of these songs would be shared with the world. They were just a safe place to process and let go.
Jess: Can you describe your creative process when it comes to singing and songwriting?
Deena: Space and truly allowing myself to feel without shutting off. Music comes when I give space to put away my computer and phone and give myself time to just be without filling the empty space. That for me is what leads to this hidden door of creativity that then bursts out of me. A note is played, a tear is shed and in a few moments there is a song. Then, because it’s my way to process, I just sing it over and over…and over and over as if carving into the core, going beyond the emotions of the exterior and into what is hiding below. I always laugh that my friends will share challenging things in their life and I get off the phone and always write a song. So, your secrets are not safe with me unless you want a song written about them. But, I promise I won’t use names.
Jess: Oh…I know! Who were your biggest musical influences growing up, and how have they shaped your style?
Deena: You, as my sister, and my mom. Both for different reasons. My mom is so deeply moved and shaped by music and always feels so deeply. I think she taught me that music is not meant to be listened to but to be felt. We never talked about this, but as a child we absorb what we see vs what we are told. I saw a lot of that. And you, singing and touring kirtan with you for all of those years was like singing with myself. Our breaths would link and it was almost like one voice was singing. I think some of the best memories of my whole life are traveling around the world leading Mantra and Movement workshops with you. The groups always blew us away, and by teaching we also learned so much. Okay, little miss chatty over here could keep going on but I’ll save you.
Jess: Those traveling music and movement tours were the best. I’m wondering what values or habits from your time as a full time Modo yoga teacher continue to impact your life today?
Deena: Movement is medicine, community is gold, and life doesn’t have to be taken so seriously.
Jess: How do you stay grounded while balancing your various roles as a musician, entrepreneur, and yoga teacher?
Deena: Drugs… just kidding. What I have realized living my life is I need movement, silence, alone time, laughter and nature everyday. I try to get those each day, and sometimes I comically fail, but that’s life.
Jess: Do you have any favorite mantras or affirmations that help you navigate daily life?
Deena: I have a goddess dancing playlist that I often put on and just dance and sing. Singing Mantra always radically changes how I feel. Wow. Saying that out loud sounds comical and really makes me realize I am JJ’s daughter.
Jess: Well let’s be honest if you were mom you would also be doing it while gardening in the nude! Ok last question… as someone who has faced such profound challenges, what would you say to someone who has just received a difficult diagnosis? What advice would you give? What advice do you wish someone had given you?
Deena: I think viewing the diagnosis as a teacher asking you to listen to the deep whispers is quite profound. Instead of daunting fear it can be an opportunity. Think the biggest master of your life has shown up to give you private lessons each day. Be willing to ask yourself the hard questions of why you think the sickness has come to you, and truly listen to the answers. See yourself as healthy. Write in the past tense of 2 years after you are completely better and write thinking back about the current moment. That exercise rocked my world. Everything I wrote came true.
Jess: Thank you so much! When we listen to Somewhere In Between we’re going to feel the music even more deeply now!
You can find Deena and her husband Austin’s music on Spotify, Apple or anywhere you listen and keep up to date with shows on their instagram @somewhereinbetween.
Jess Robertson is Modo Yoga’s Co Founder, Senior Advisor, and Community Documentarian. She is also a writer, musician, yoga teacher and Co Founder of the New Leaf Foundation. She lives in Montreal, Canada with her 2 kids.