Amy Smietana

Seven years ago, I went with a friend to my very first yoga class. Though I was unfamiliar with the practice I thought to myself, "I can already touch my toes. How hard can this be?" I spent the next three days nursing muscles I didn't even know existed. I swore I would never to that to myself again. But something about the practice took a hold of me. I needed to go back.

I fell into a deep and personal yoga practice almost immediately after my first class. The more classes I attended, the more I realized that yoga is more than a series of movements. It is a way of life, and life itself.

On my mat, I found stillness of mind that is often lost in such a chaotic world.

That stillness is created by balance. It is the tranquility of a focused mind, the soft spot of a strong and challenging asana, and the pause between the inhalation and exhalation.

I try to instill the same balance during my classes. I encourage sweating through vigorous vinyasas, laughing as you try new poses with humility, and deeply relaxing into the breath. My classes are a joint journey through self-awareness, acceptance, and discovery.

In 2009, I completed 200 hour teacher training at Yogaview under Tom Quinn, Quinn Kearney, Clark Mark, and Geri Bleier. They, along with my fabulous friends from training, showed me that yoga is love and that love should be shared with the world.