8/3/2019 Testimonial [Letter of Recommendation] for Gina Tricamo, R-MHYT

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October 15, 2011

Gail Prez, Ph.D.University of San Diego

San Diego, California (United States)

Letter in Support of Ms. Gina Tricamo

I am honored to write a letter of recommendation for Gina Tricamo; I have known her for

over sixteen years, both as a student, friend and colleague. Her journey to professionalexpertise in Holy Yoga has been an amazing one. While I have not been in her yoga classes,

I have had private sessions with her. She is extremely knowledgeable and does regenerativeyoga with those of us who have disabilities and other physical limitations.

I first met Gina in 1993 when she was in my Ethnic Literature class at the University of San

Diego. She was finishing up her degree in Psychology. She was a remarkable student whowas especially interested in diverse experiences. She responded to the literature about

African Americans, Chican@s, American Indians and other groups with great insight andempathy. Her writing was not only wonderful but so were the drawings that often

accompanied her work. She was certainly one of the best students in the class. At this time,she also took me to one of the large migrant camps in San Diego where she had worked as a

catechist but also as an advocate and counselor for the hundreds of men, women and childrenwho worked there. I began to understand not only her personal bravery, but the deep

commitment to social justice, accompanied by a deep spirituality that marked her life.Because she is so insightful and has had such a variety of experiences, she is very much an

organic intellectual. A non-traditional student and a critical thinker, she might have beenviewed as threatening to some of her professors, but she is actually the kind of student we

should most want. She was also raising three young children at this time and yet managed tofinish her degree.

I also saw first hand some of the work she did as a probation officer with youth in San Diego.

In this position, she saw the full spectrum of issues impacting the lives of youth, oftenworking class and often of color. While her job had strict parameters about what could be

done for youth, Gina would go the extra mile and try to connect families in distress withservices and opportunities. It was clear that much of what was categorized as deviancy was

actually poverty or neglect or abuse. Her instincts were to address the root causes ofwhatever behaviors the youth were exhibiting. This meant that she not only worked her job,

but also spent added time trying to ameliorate some of the material circumstances adding to

the distress of children and families. During this period as well, she did work in the prisons,counseling both men and women, often through creative art therapy.

All of this work was marked by a commitment to culture as empowering the self and creatinga more positive self-definition and by a commitment to the justice issues that were often the

real causes of deviancy in both adults and children. Obviously, an ethical commitmentdrove her to create innovative methods and exercises to help her clients reframe their lives

and situations in ways that would keep them from reoffending, and in the larger scheme of

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things, find real success. This always meant that she had to do extra work and indeed comeup against those who might resist her commitment to people often demonized by those who

are supposed to serve them.

I was so happy to hear that through sheer determination she has become an accredited yoga

teacher and counselor. Her great writing abilities have been put to use in writing curriculumfor Holy Yoga and in doing research in her field. This act of self-transformation, ofdeveloping a whole new career and expertise in mid-life is itself amazing. While I hear that

she is a beloved teacher, I also know that she has committed herself to volunteer teaching inunderserved communities. Yoga is often associated with a rather elitist clientele. She

believes that this violates the spirit of the practice. True to her ethics, she is taking yoga andhealing to those who need it but cannot pay for it in the usual studios and businesses. Again,

we see the pattern of deep ethical commitment to social justice and to the spirit of thetraditions whether Christian or Hindu or Buddhistmany of us claim. Gina is not only

sincere but charismatic, and many have been helped by her expertise in healing arts and byher positive spirit.

I feel honored to have known Gina all these years and to see her now doing what she should

be doing. I believe that any employer who has her on staff will be very lucky. She will bringa strong work ethic, but also a warm spirit that will enliven any workplace. She will draw

clients and her outreach to many diverse communities will strengthen whatever organizationshe works for.

She has my highest recommendation. Please feel free to contact me if you have any

questions.

Dr. Gail PrezUniversity of San Diego

San Diego, California