Teacher Talk Tuesday: Meet Andrew Bayer

How did you begin practicing and teaching yoga?

I started a committed practice a year and a half ago. I had just moved back to St. Louis, in the middle of a break-up, was trying to finish my undergraduate degree, and had some serious anxiety and depression that went along with that. My therapist and doctor recommended yoga or exercise to help, and it did. As my practice grew, and the closer I got to graduation, the more I realized I didn’t want to figure out what to do with my communications degree. I realized I wanted to be a yoga instructor. 

So, I looked around at some different 200 hour yoga teacher trainings in St. Louis, but many of them take several months to complete. That’s fine if you already have a job, community, etc., but I was still working on obtaining all of that. One of my instructors told me I that traveling might be a good idea. So, I found a few trainings in India and ultimately decided on one in Rishikesh, on the sacred river Ganga. 

Before going, I participated in the January yoga challenge at Blue Sky, which happened to be my first studio experience, and I loved it. I then spent all of February in India, and started teaching at Blue Sky in March.

How has yoga been transformational in your life?

It has given me many tools to calm myself and live a more structured, happy life. There are so many tools within the yoga system that allow us to pull from during hardships. And to transform our life, we need the niyama of svadhyaya (self study or virtuous observance) as a guide to look at what we need in our life, what other parts of yoga to look to for transformation, like asana, pranayama, meditation or a yama or niyama — the tools are all there.

What do you do to prepare for class?

I have a theme for each month based around a part of yoga philosophy. Stacy Berry ERYT500, founder of Yoga Pipeline teacher trainings and public school yoga programs, recommended this practice to me when I was experiencing a period of overwhelm. I teach many classes, so it’s hard to prepare a new, fresh class for each class, every week. So, now I have a monthly theme where poses are based around that theme. Each week is based around a certain flow, peak asana, or sequence that I’m enjoying, and then I adapt that based around the style of class I’m teaching. I spend 2-5 minutes in the beginning of class just talking on the subject of yoga philosophy for that month. I find inspiration from my personal practice, going to other classes, researching, studying and learning…always learning.

Do you have a favorite pose or movement?

My favorite asana is always changing, and I like to include my favorites in most of my classes. For the past few months I’ve been highlighting Vajrasana or Thunderbolt Pose. Typically you might see this as a transition to get to another place, but I like to keep my students in this shape and explain the benefits. 

This is a little different...If you were a yoga pose what would you be and why?

When I practice, If I’m tired I might hang out in Uttanasana or Standing Forward Bend for several breaths (or minutes!). So, Forward Fold, that’s me.

What’s your favorite type of music to play while practicing?

I prefer instrumental music. In India, we didn’t listen to music during our asana practice, and I loved the quiet focus this created — just the cues, your breath and body moving. When I started teaching, I considered teaching without music, but I settled on instrumental music. Lo-Fi Beats and Sweater Weather Instrumentals are Spotify pre-made playlists I enjoy.

Does your personal practice differ from how you teach?

I practice a whole range of yoga styles, and I enjoy teaching a variety — gentle yoga, restorative, a tough vinyasa — as well. I use props during my practice, and I cue poses with props, too.  I don’t like when a class is too fast-paced, and I try not to teach that way, either. I’m usually the slowest moving person in a class; I like to be in each asana for a few breaths.

Recommended reading (yoga and/or non-yoga)

• My current reading is Yoga for Wellness by Gary Kraftsow.

• Falling into Grace by spiritual teacher Adyashanti was helpful in my life and a book I’m reminding myself of so I go back to it soon. 

• The 4 Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is a great guide to living life, similar to the Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele.

• My favorite book of all-time is a children’s book, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, a beautifully illustrated, moving epic by Grace Lin. 

How would you describe yourself? What do you want people to know about you? 

I’m tall. That’s kind of my joke answer. But, it’s true. The reason I bring it up, though, is because I know this might be intimidating, practicing with a male yoga instructor who is a physical presence. But, I’m also a gentle, kind and introspective person. And I hate talking about myself, which is why the only thing I could think of is that “I’m tall.” 

Outside of yoga what is your passion/Where can you be found?

I love coffee shops. I like getting coffee after yoga. I like planning classes, my week and journaling while drinking a latte.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

Before yoga, I was going to be an actor. I studied to become a clown (among other styles of theatre) at Dell’Arte International: School of Physical Theatre. 

Anything else? 

This is kind of embarrassing, but when I first started teaching, I filled out this interview, the one I am doing right now, to learn about what I believed, what I thought about yoga. I went back and looked at it in preparation for this, and it was very different. I recognize the person I was then, but I also know much more about the yoga and wellness world now. I’ve changed. And I’m trying to make the space where I teach more inclusive and am more welcoming for all people. I would like to say: Don’t be afraid to change. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. And don’t be afraid to be yourself in every moment.

I’m probably going to look back on this interview in a few months and be embarrassed, too. And that’s alright with me. See you on the mat.

Take a class with Andrew…

Wednesdays @ 4:30-5:30pm: Gentle Yoga

Thursdays @ 6-7am: Open Morning Flow

2nd & 4th Thursdays @ 5-6pm: Meditative Mix

Fridays @ 12-1pm: Flow + Stretch

We're Turning TWO!

Wow, I cannot believe two years have already passed, and we are still standing strong and growing even stronger in our Blue Sky Yoga community. When it comes to creating changes and making a difference one must take risks. There is no doubt that taking risks can be very scary and it takes a lot of work and dedication to create a thriving community. Each person in the community makes a difference, contributes, and plays a part in creating the whole. Without each person, even the most minute things can have a profound impact and without them it wouldn’t be the same...that is how I feel we are at Blue Sky. I said this in the beginning when we began, and it all still rings true. Taking a look at our community-created logo also reminds me of the union of the community and our connection through yoga. The eight birds flying overhead represent the 8 limbs to the royal path of yoga (yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi). The human is representation of our self in the practice and seated as life on this earth that is the home for each of us. The circle surrounding the yogi represents the circle of life and complete wholeness or oneness, the yoking together of each part of our self spiritually, mentally, and physically and also to each other. The circle also represents how we can find ourselves limited in our beliefs, and it’s through our practice of the 8 limbed path that we find presence, peace, and the ability to expand beyond our limitations.

From the bottom of my heart, I believe we can take our vulnerabilities and suffering and turn that energy into strengths and grow from it to find clarity. The name Blue Sky represents a connection to the light without the distraction of clouds or rain but pure clarity and light. The blue sky has always been symbolic of clarity and peace for me from the time I was a child coming out of a coma and having to learn to walk again, having to find the strength to go back to school and dealing with pain and imbalances in my bony structure which had a domino effect on the rest of my system. Yoga has helped me find peace and presence and gratitude in the moment, and when I see a blue sky and sunlight, I feel hope and happiness. And when there are clouds and rain, I know that is a time I need to relax even more and take time to go inside, reflect and maybe even dance in the rain. I know the rain will pass and I’ve learned to live in the moment and appreciate both the light and the dark through this practice that brings us all together. 

Life is celebrated by coming together with your community. For our anniversary, let us come together and offer each other the gift of practice and community. Join us on Friday night, July 19th at 6:30pm for a yoga relay class with many of our beautiful teachers: Annie, Kelli, Roxanne, Andrew, and Bryna offering a singing bowl savasana. You simply show up, have a fun practice with us and perhaps bring food or drink or a good story to share with the rest of the community. Hope to see you July 19 630pm!

How Far & High Can You Fly when You Give Yourself the Chance? (Teacher Talk: Meet Roxanne Rodriguez)

What is your favorite asana & why?

I have a few, but Bakasana/Crow pose is tops for me. Previously, if this pose was offered during a class, I’d look around and just admire those flying. I thought never in million years would I be able to hold up my body like that. For the better part of the year, I practiced this pose almost every day. I had to build up strength and but mostly the courage. I had to feel into my body in a whole new way. Yea, I fell more than a couple times, but I kept trying. I even taped a picture of me attempting this pose on my monitor at work, and I wrote “I will learn to fly” on it. I eventually took flight, and still to this day when I manage to lift my body up, I am reminded of how strong I am and all the work it took to get there. This pose reminds me to be grateful for my body.

Least favorite/why?

I’m not feeling that into deep backbends. My first upward facing bow pose/wheel/Urdhva Dhanurasana almost gave me a panic attack. True story-Thanks Jess. It’s a learning process, and I’m giving myself all the time I need to fall in love with backbends; they just are not my jam right now.  

Recommended Reading (Yoga & non-yoga)

The Yamas and Niyamas book by Deborah Adele really helped me dive into yoga philosophy. It was so approachable, and it helped launch me into teacher training. The past couple years have been school and yoga books all mixed in with kid books. I love reading to my toddler. I’m finally carving out time for myself to read and currently on my night stand is The Celestine Prophecy.

Funniest/most embarrassing yoga moment?

Oh goodness. I love to laugh. I giggle a lot and sometimes the smallest thing will have me bursting out into laughter during serious moments ugh. One time I took a class with my brother; he had the hardest time with something, and I could not keep it in. It was a full-on laughing attack; I was so embarrassed. I looked like a crazy person; good thing it was my little bro so he shook it off bc he knows me. Another time I attempted a head stand/Sirsasana in the middle of the room away from the safety of the wall. I kicked up and almost kicked the teacher in the face and yep over shot it and ended up landing on my back. Hello ego. Incredibly thankful for everyone in that class because we all laughed about it.

Best/most rewarding yoga moment?

One of my most rewarding moments was when I kicked up into a head stand for the first time...way before that epic flop. I really surprised myself when I kicked up and found the wall behind me. I thought to myself while upside down, gosh I’ve got this I just need to believe in myself more. I had worked on strengthening and focusing on the mechanics of this pose for a while, and it took one teacher after a class to help me find my courage and up I went!

Who knew? (interesting tidbits you might like to share)

I’m a mom of two beautiful little ladies. Stella and Evie; they are my whole world. I’m a Texas girl and big time miss the warmth and my family. Vacations are always fun by the beach, and I have free places to stay. I work in sports television and this can be a shock for those who knew me growing up because I had zero knowledge of professional sports. Ha. Who am I kidding? I still don’t really know about professional sports, but I love my job.

Outside of yoga what is your passion/Where can you be found?

The Zoo and Forest Park in general is my favorite place in St. Louis. Over the summer catch me and my girls riding the train and eating dole whips at the zoo. I’m also head coach for my daughter Girls on the Run team. I love running, and I like to run in my neighborhood. So chances are if you live by me you’ve seen me catching free smells on my runs by all the restaurants in my neighborhood.

What inspired you to be a student of yoga? To teach?

I first started taking yoga seriously for my daughter. She was having a lot of issues with anxiety, and I did my research and it said yoga would help. I wanted to teach her in a tangible way that calming your mind would help. Honestly, I hid myself behind her and really wanted to try yoga by myself but was too scared. I eventually sat down for a solo class and was a ball of anxiety, but after, I was different...in the best way. I felt lighter. That moment after that class ... I was hooked.  I knew I wanted to be a teacher after about full year of practicing regularly. I looked back at all that I was able to accomplish off my mat that year and knew I had to share this practice with others. I really had made so many positive changes in my life, and it was because I showed up for myself and had great teachers along the way.

One piece of advice you like to give your students?

Keep showing up for yourself. Life gets hard sometimes, and it seems impossible to get a class in or moment for you but keep showing up for you and make time to do things that really bring you joy. I truly believe you cannot pour from an empty cup.

Favorite yoga quote or mantra?

I have so many favorites. I’m recalling these words by Rupi Kaur right now. I first heard them on my mat, and they really spoke to me. “It was when I stop searching for a home within others and lifted the foundations of the home which in myself I found there were no roots more intimate than those  between a mind and body that have decided to be whole”

Favorite yoga tunes?

I love love love a good playlist. I have a really wide range of songs that I like to flow to and totally enjoy a good cover that you can see people thinking “hey is this that song”. I appreciate when I’m in downdog and feel the music and start to dance or when I see this happen in class. I also enjoy the sweet sounds of singing bowls and frequently play this in my home. Feel free to check out some of my playlists on Spotify.

How can we connect or practice with you?

I’m active on social media. I frequently overshare my kids and experiences. You can alway catch me teaching on Sundays at 12:30p for Midday Revival.

Final thoughts?

This practice has changed my life. I sat down at my first class a total mess — emotionally and physically. I look back and think “wow, I’ve come so far all because I kept trying and believing in myself.” I once hated my body, and today my body is what has brought me to a place a joy and peace. It’s amazing and a dream come true.

Namaste.