Matt Nelson

Seeking refuge from the stresses associated with working in the often-strenuous restaurant industry, I decided to take my first Yoga class in 2003. After an hour and a half of moving and breathing with intention, I realized that I had found a practice to which I would dedicate myself for years to come, if not the rest of my life. While I was confused by the names of all the poses and a little frustrated by the limitations that my body presented, I left feeling refreshed, invigorated, and with the sensation one gets in their stomach when they are first falling in love.

From family and friends to the blossoming lotus that grows out of the murky waters, I owe many thanks to all the teachers who have helped me along my path. A special round of pranams, however, must go out to Jody Kurilla, Char Rice, and Lisa Mae Osborn, who introduced me to so many aspects of yoga, including the wonderful, heart-opening world of devotional chanting. In Fall 2006, she took me under wing as an apprentice, and with her friendship, patience and ever-watchful guidance, Lisa Mae offered me the opportunity to cultivate my own personal practice that I can now share with others. In the world of Bhakti, or devotional, Yoga, Jai Uttal and his musical talents have served as a key teacher and source of inspiration. More recently, I have been studying Shadow Yoga with Matt Huish and have taken workshops with the truly inspiring Shandor Remete, the founder of Shadow Yoga.

As a teacher I strive to emulate my many teachers by sharing my passion and enthusiasm for Yoga while also offering a safe, devotion filled classroom where students can honor their bodies and move with freedom and self-expression. By learning to listen to our bodies with compassion and patience, it is my hope that all practitioners of Yoga will learn to integrate their practice outside of the walls of their Yoga studios and into their daily lives.