For me, Yoga is the invitation to come home to ourselves in an honest, self reflective, compassionate and empowered way.  It calls us to make change where we can, to be with the “IS” of what is, and to be discerning with our words and actions.  

I have spent the last 25 years dedicated to the practice and study of yoga, through the lens of asana, alignment, philosophy and therapeutics. Even after all those thousands of hours of study and training, two 500 hr. E-RYTs and my current endeavor of getting certification in FRC (Functional Range Conditioning), I continue to be inspired to learn more ways to teach an embodied practice that creates a supple, but strong container of the body, that adapts to the constantly changing landscape of our lived lives. Known for skill, clarity, and authenticity, my teaching style is a blend of functional alignment, dynamic movement, and inspiration that aim at bridging the hard work on and off the mat.  I aim to create a supportive space for every student to do their own individual work, while also cultivating a strong sense of community to practice within.  I am dedicated to making yoga accessible for everybody-making the difficult doable, and the doable difficult so we stay present and engaged.

When you come to my class, you can expect it to start with an anecdote, a story, or a contemplation that sets the tone and creates the focus for our endeavors on the mat.  The shapes and forms that we move in can transform our bodies, and in so doing, can directly impact the health of our inner landscape.  This is why I teach actions that help connect the parts. Actions of alignment are really intended to create good space for each student to move and build on their understanding of what it means to feel strong, supple, present and connected.  You can expect traditional “Yoga postures taught via radical yet specific ways.” - student, Shireen D.

Both my personal practice as a student and teacher are heavily influenced by an understanding of asana alignment, yoga therapeutics, hands-on adjustments, and yoga philosophy as taught within the Anusara methodology, the Philosophy of Tantra, and my recent study of Yoga Nidra, and Restorative Yoga.  I have ongoing studies in both asana and philosophy with my teachers Christina Sell, Desiree Rumbaugh, Darren Rhodes, Noah Maze, and Douglas Brooks.

Teaching is a full-time endeavor for me, that is, besides being a mom to the best teen ever.  In addition to teaching public studio classes, I teach private one on one sessions, am part of an after-school high school yoga program, and am on the faculty of teacher training programs locally.  You can find more information about me on my site: www.andrefotopoulos.com.