Matthew Hochstetler is a 500 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance. He is also a board member of the Prison Yoga Project, led by James Fox. Matt started his yoga practice in 2001, but his practice became much deeper as he needed a stress outlet for his frustrations as a financial analyst during the global financial crisis and later as a way to decrease inflammation due to his autoimmune condition. Pranayama and community is at the core of his practice and instruction. He is a beginner in Ashtanga yoga and is enjoying his early studies with John Berlinsky, David Williams, and Nancy Gilgoff. His bhakti practice was further developed by observing Janet Stone in the Yoga Tree 500 hour program and seeking counsel from Ram Das. Matt is deeply greatful to Harvey Deutsch for his 150 hour yoga to improve health conditions course. Matt completed his 200 hour TT with Core Power Yoga under the mentorship of Melissa Mae and Jen DeKock. Matt is grateful to Steve Ross for teaching him how to integrate music into his own practice and tries to share a creative mix of music with his students as well. Matt also teaches Restorative Yoga which he learned from Judith Lasater Hansen as a certified Relax and Renew teacher by Judith.