Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Stephenson.
Alex, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in the Coachella Valley in Southern California. The desert will always be my first home, as I have extended family there. I moved to San Diego about 20 years ago, both my children were born here, and my husband and I have created roots here. We now both consider San Diego home.
I started practicing yoga in my mid-20s as another form of exercise. However, I really appreciated the deep relaxation, and the mind, body, soul connection I experienced after each practice. I continued to practice on and off to help relieve stress and sciatic nerve pain.
About 10 years ago, seeking relief from chronic sciatic nerve pain, I began acupuncture and yoga on a regular basis. Yoga has proved to be one of the most popular and effective alternative therapies to treat sciatica. I was also seeking help with dealing with the recent death of one of my brothers. During this time, I learned firsthand the power of yoga as a tool for healing. As a result, I had an epiphany and that is when I decided that teaching Yoga was my calling. I enrolled in a Hatha Yoga Therapy Teacher Training. I began my journey as a yoga teacher (and student) for life. I have been teaching for over seven years now.
Yoga has changed my life and is a lifestyle. Yoga is about practicing on and off the mat. My wish is for everyone to experience how it feels when one is more balanced. For me, yoga is about flowing energy. Energy needs to move constantly and needs space to move. Yoga can help with that. Redirecting energy from the head to the feet, for instance, helps to be more grounded and centered, and supports in staying focused on the present moment. The result is a more balanced self. A quiet headspace. A calm body. Smoother and deeper breaths, which is the key to the entire mind-body connection. This is the catalyst for my teaching style, and my wish for my students to take with them each time.
Has it been a smooth road?
My life has not been a smooth road. There have been many roadblocks and many detours. I have made many mistakes along the way, and I have made some superb choices too. I have experienced pain and loss, hardships, and struggles in life. But that has only made me feel deep gratitude for the times when things are good. I am blessed to have my husband, my two children, my family, friends, and a job that I love. I fully understand that I am fortunate to do what I love.
My advice for other women, for one, is to go with what feels right. When there is no push back from any part of your body, that’s a good sign. When I had the realization that I wanted to teach yoga, it felt like I was flowing in a strong current. Perfectly put by Rumi, “When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” By nature I am shy, and I am not a fan of public speaking, by any stretch, but something happens in me when I’m teaching yoga. I believe it is because I know that I’m not there for myself, but for my students. It feels natural.
Second, work on not putting too much pressure on yourself because change is constant and the life we have planned may not be the one in the cards for us. And that is OK, and great because we really have no idea what may become. And that is exciting! And it is OK to make mistakes and do a do-over.
Third, and my biggest personal challenge is to practice self-care. Taking care of yourself is crucial. Mind, body and soul. Staying connected and in tune with yourself, and how you are doing and feeling in all of these areas is so beneficial. For some women, myself included, this is the hardest thing to practice. As caretaker of my children, and independent business owner, living in a busy, hustling society, the struggle is finding the time. I am working on one hour a day for myself. Whatever that means to you, and that can change, do it! It is so important. We, women, need that little time for ourselves, to recharge.
My best advice, and something I work on throughout the day, every day, is to stay grateful, even if it is a constant struggle until it becomes your norm. I admit, some days are easier than others. It really makes such a difference when you make that shift in your outlook, your thoughts, and in your heart. Moreover, feeling gratitude helps us stay in the present moment.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Yoga with Alex story. Tell us more about the business.
Today, my passion is to continue sharing the benefits of yoga practice with others. I bring a rich understanding of yoga gained from multiple yoga teacher trainings and certifications, from Tween/Teen Yoga, Yin Yoga, Vinyasa, and Meditation. My classes are for everyone, from beginners to seasoned practitioners. I work with athletes, seniors, and students with injuries, and limitations. I am actively looking to dive deeper into energy healing work. Additionally, I am currently working on becoming certified on Inclusivity Training for Yoga, Senior Yoga, and Trauma-Informed Yoga.
At present, I teach Yoga, Meditation, Breathing Techniques, Mindfulness, and Yoga Nidra (yoga sleep) in a studio, at onsite corporate yoga classes, at onsite yoga classes throughout San Diego at apartment complexes and resorts, private classes, and I also hold a class at my local Swim and Tennis club for the community.
I am excited to share that I am in the process of working on creating a 200 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training program open to all students who would like to become yoga teachers or deepen their knowledge and practice of yoga.
I am proud of how my business has grown, and how I have evolved as a yoga teacher. Experience is everything, you cannot learn certain things from books, workshops or trainings. Integrity, honesty, and authenticity are my mantras. I believe my students trust me and know I am there for them and respect them. I am their teacher, and they are mine.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
My favorite apps for my work are Canva and Mailchimp. And some books I constantly refer back to are: Nonviolent Communication by Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD,
The Energy Medicine Yoga Prescription by Lauren Walker, Intuitive Self-Healing by Marie Manuchehri, RN, Energy Healing by Ann Marie Chiasson, MD, and Yoga for a Happy Back by Rachel Krentzman
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hathayogawithalex.com
- Email: namaste@hathayogawithalex.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex.stephenson.yoga/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hathayogawithalex
Image Credit:
Katherine Beth Photography – IG @katherinebethphotography
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