This month we welcomed a new teacher to the Yoga Garden SF team: Martin Scott! He is a lead teacher in our 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training program and teaches regular public classes, so keep an eye out for his name on the schedule.
How did you become interested in yoga?
It was the early 90s and everyone was getting into it. I never liked going to the gym so I thought I’d try this new thing called “yoga”! I was hooked instantly. I was lucky to have teachers who taught more than asana. I was instantly drawn to the mind-body connection and grounding of yoga. I became very tuned into the transformational process of regular practice.
My very first yoga class was with Karl Erb, an Iyengar teacher, at Yoga Tree Valencia in 1999. I had no idea that there were different types of yoga but I eventually found myself in Vinyasa Flow classes. I really connected to the dynamic movement of the classes and the sense of renewal after each practice. I spent a lot of time learning very traditional yoga from Sri Dharma Mittra both here in San Francisco and in New York. I ended up doing over 800hrs of trainings with him. He is a magical being. I’ve also practiced traditional Mysore Style Ashtanga and have been to India twice for month long Asthanga practices.
My classes are traditionally non-traditional. They are firmly rooted in asana fundamentals and alignment but still have the Vinyasa Flow aspect, it’s just slow paced. I teach breath and drishti but it is a delicate balance. My classes will challenge the student but in a way that supports them and meets them where they are. Sri Dharma Mittra says that we can’t be too serious and we have to enjoy practice. If we get too far in our heads about practice then it becomes counter productive and we end up agitating the mind instead of calming it. Every class I teach comes from the point of view of Love, Compassion, Joy and Equanimity.
I’m teaching two retreats back to back in Mexico – Dec 26 – Jan 1 and Jan 1-8. I also have another retreat July 11-18 in Greece on a beautiful island Amorgos! My new AMAZING website will launch in November!!
I THRILLED to have to opportunity to meet a new community, teach in the beautiful Yoga Garden studios!! I’m excited for us to practice together!
That’s all for now! Check out Martin on Instagram: @martinyoga.
