Day 7 of 30 : Austin Yoga Tree

DAY 7 OF 30

Name of Studio: Austin Yoga Tree
Style of Class: Restorative
Instructor: Jill White

This was one of the studios that I had to really plan to get to. Of course, I chose 5pm rush hour traffic to travel from South Austin to the Northside of the city for a 6pm class. Happy to report that the trip was well worth the drive. Due to traffic, I missed the Iyengar class that I planned to attend and decided to stay for the Restorative class. It wound up being exactly what I needed. As “they” say, the Universe always works in mysterious ways. What I love most about this studio is the lounge area in the front of the house. They serve tea and have comfy couches and chairs for people to mingle before and after class. Building community through yoga, love it! I got a hug as I walked in the door from the owner and I immediately felt right at home. Not all yoga studios feel so welcoming.

LESSON LEARNED:

We may not always end up where we planned to, and that’s ok. This is part of the absolute plan and journey of life. I’ve learned that often what’s needed is the exact opposite of what we intuitively expect. Go with the flow and take what the world gives you with a grand smile and appreciation for the long ride along the way. When life feels most chaotic, go to yoga. If your natural instinct is to push through a power class, maybe switch it up, take a restorative or yin class and slow it down.

ABOUT THE STUDIO:

Vision: “Austin Yoga Tree is more than a yoga studio. We are a hub for mindfulness and passionate living. In addition to our daily schedule of yoga classes, we offer meditation, group life coaching with our Life Mastery Series, personal life coaching, AustinTalks (our local version of TED Talks), and a variety of workshops and special events. We are your Austin Community Center. If you have an idea for a special event, please share with us! Our goal is to make this your space and your community”.
Location: 10401 Anderson Mill Rd #105-B, Austin, TX 78750
Number of Studios: 1
Natural Light: Yes
Showers: No
Mirrors: No
Floors: “the strongest floors we could find – they’re going to last forever”

Interview with Jonathan Troen

Chief Inspiration Officer, Lover of Peace, Genuine Soul

Zuzu: How long have you been practicing yoga? When did you start teaching? When did you open the studio?

Jonathan: I’ve been practicing for about 16 years. I started teaching about 8 years, after I got tired of producing TV shows, and decided on a more peaceful and giving life mission. We opened the studio in November 2014.

Zuzu: What is the best part of owning your own studio?

Jonathan: The best part is being able to share the gifts of yoga, meditation and Life Mastery coaching each and every day. And watching people transform right in front of you eyes, sometimes over a few months, and sometimes almost instantaneously. These practices are so powerful, and it is just a privilege to be able to share it. After classes, may of our students relax together with tea. Connecting with everyone is true joy.

Zuzu: Describe AYT in 3 words

Jonathan: Love, Peace, Fun

Zuzu: Describe yourself in 4 words

Jonathan: Love, Peace, Fun, Motivating

Zuzu: I tried to make it to an Iyengar class but I ended up in a restorative class (which was incredible). Explain to our readers how Iyengar and Restorative differ from other lineages/styles of yoga.

Jonathan: Iyengar yoga comes from our teacher BKS Iyengar. It’s a Hatha Yoga practice which focuses on alignment of the body, so we can achieve alignment of the mind and spirit. Many people call is the yoga of alignment, but I personally consider it the yoga of integration, as each part of your body, mind and spirit are ultimately necessary to experience the pose.

Zuzu: Do you have plans of opening other studios?

Jonathan: We would love to. The more people who practice yoga, the more peace we have in our world.

Zuzu: What are some of the lessons you’ve learned from your practice?

Jonathan:

I’ve learned that all my answers are inside of me.

I certainly rely on my teachers to lead me in the right direction, but ultimately, I need to find my own truth. I’ve also found that many of us deal with the same issues – we have these stories in our head that say we’re not good enough. It’s a common theme I find with my students. We think we’re the only one’s that think these thoughts; we think that everyone else has it together. But we all have these thoughts. And, while earlier in my life these thoughts were paralyzing, through this practice I learned that there is another way to live: a way that includes bliss and joy and peace. It’s a much more fun way to live life.

Zuzu: Talk a little about the lounge area in the front of the studio. I thought it was awesome that you have a place for students and teachers to hang out before/after class.

Jonathan: We have our small lounge outside the studio. It was important to us not to build a yoga studio, but to build a community and a community center. In so many places, people run into class and then run out. We want to create an atmosphere where people stay after class, where they can share and connect with each other. People will come and relax without even taking a class. They’ll even bring their parents down just to see the studio and meet us. It’s a wonderful community. We are so grateful!

SHOW SOME LOVE

(512) 887-8807 l Contact Email