How did you begin practicing and teaching yoga?

I started a committed practice a year and a half ago. I had just moved back to St. Louis, in the middle of a break-up, was trying to finish my undergraduate degree, and had some serious anxiety and depression that went along with that. My therapist and doctor recommended yoga or exercise to help, and it did. As my practice grew, and the closer I got to graduation, the more I realized I didn’t want to figure out what to do with my communications degree. I realized I wanted to be a yoga instructor.

So, I looked around at some different 200 hour yoga teacher trainings in St. Louis, but many of them take several months to complete. That’s fine if you already have a job, community, etc., but I was still working on obtaining all of that. One of my instructors told me I that traveling might be a good idea. So, I found a few trainings in India and ultimately decided on one in Rishikesh, on the sacred river Ganga.

Before going, I participated in the January yoga challenge at Blue Sky, which happened to be my first studio experience, and I loved it. I then spent all of February in India, and started teaching at Blue Sky in March.

How has yoga been transformational in your life?

It has given me many tools to calm myself and live a more structured, happy life. There are so many tools within the yoga system that allow us to pull from during hardships. And to transform our life, we need the niyama of svadhyaya (self study or virtuous observance) as a guide to look at what we need in our life, what other parts of yoga to look to for transformation, like asana, pranayama, meditation or a yama or niyama — the tools are all there.

What do you do to prepare for class?

I have a theme for each month based around a part of yoga philosophy. Stacy Berry ERYT500, founder of Yoga Pipeline teacher trainings and public school yoga programs, recommended this practice to me when I was experiencing a period of overwhelm. I teach many classes, so it’s hard to prepare a new, fresh class for each class, every week. So, now I have a monthly theme where poses are based around that theme. Each week is based around a certain flow, peak asana, or sequence that I’m enjoying, and then I adapt that based around the style of class I’m teaching. I spend 2-5 minutes in the beginning of class just talking on the subject of yoga philosophy for that month. I find inspiration from my personal practice, going to other classes, researching, studying and learning…always learning.

Do you have a favorite pose or movement?

My favorite asana is always changing, and I like to include my favorites in most of my classes. For the past few months I’ve been highlighting Vajrasana or Thunderbolt Pose. Typically you might see this as a transition to get to another place, but I like to keep my students in this shape and explain the benefits.

This is a little different...If you were a yoga pose what would you be and why?

When I practice, If I’m tired I might hang out in Uttanasana or Standing Forward Bend for several breaths (or minutes!). So, Forward Fold, that’s me.

What’s your favorite type of music to play while practicing?

I prefer instrumental music. In India, we didn’t listen to music during our asana practice, and I loved the quiet focus this created — just the cues, your breath and body moving. When I started teaching, I considered teaching without music, but I settled on instrumental music. Lo-Fi Beats and Sweater Weather Instrumentals are Spotify pre-made playlists I enjoy.

Does your personal practice differ from how you teach?

I practice a whole range of yoga styles, and I enjoy teaching a variety — gentle yoga, restorative, a tough vinyasa — as well. I use props during my practice, and I cue poses with props, too. I don’t like when a class is too fast-paced, and I try not to teach that way, either. I’m usually the slowest moving person in a class; I like to be in each asana for a few breaths.

How would you describe yourself? What do you want people to know about you?

I’m tall. That’s kind of my joke answer. But, it’s true. The reason I bring it up, though, is because I know this might be intimidating, practicing with a male yoga instructor who is a physical presence. But, I’m also a gentle, kind and introspective person. And I hate talking about myself, which is why the only thing I could think of is that “I’m tall.”

Outside of yoga what is your passion/Where can you be found?

I love coffee shops. I like getting coffee after yoga. I like planning classes, my week and journaling while drinking a latte.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

Before yoga, I was going to be an actor. I studied to become a clown (among other styles of theatre) at Dell’Arte International: School of Physical Theatre.

Anything else?

This is kind of embarrassing, but when I first started teaching, I filled out this interview, the one I am doing right now, to learn about what I believed, what I thought about yoga. I went back and looked at it in preparation for this, and it was very different. I recognize the person I was then, but I also know much more about the yoga and wellness world now. I’ve changed. And I’m trying to make the space where I teach more inclusive and am more welcoming for all people. I would like to say: Don’t be afraid to change. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. And don’t be afraid to be yourself in every moment.

I’m probably going to look back on this interview in a few months and be embarrassed, too. And that’s alright with me. See you on the mat.

Take a class with Andrew…

Wednesdays @ 4:30-5:30pm: Gentle Yoga

Thursdays @ 6-7am: Open Morning Flow

2nd & 4th Thursdays @ 5-6pm: Meditative Mix

Fridays @ 12-1pm: Flow + Stretch