Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Caldwell.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 1997, Michael, my then boyfriend, now husband, and I were working in the music business in Hollywood. I was working with a music supervisor that coordinated all of the soundtracks for Oliver Stone’s films. I worked on “Heat, Natural Born Killers, Nixon, Twister and others. Michael was working for BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated) and produced a sampler CD that included such acts as Cake, Keb Mo and the as then unsigned Black Eye Peas. We met at a record release party for composer and jazz bassist Stanley Clarke.
We loved what we were doing, but at some point, we were seeking a lifestyle change. So we quit our jobs and set out to explore different cultures and philosophies. We ended up backpacking around the world for three and a half years and visited 15 countries.
We got engaged in Nepal at 18,800 feet with Mt. Everest as a witness, then hiked to base camp. In Fiji we spent four days alone on an uninhabited island.
While picking apples in Australia to earn extra travel money, Michael and I discovered the joys and benefits of yoga. As our passion for yoga grew, we went to India and studied with some of the country’s amazing yoga and meditation masters.
Upon moving to San Diego, I began leading donation-based classes in Balboa Park. When winter came, I moved the classes inside and Yoga One was born.
We are so happy to be able to share wellbeing with others. Since 2002 award-winning Yoga One has helped tens of thousands of San Diego residents, visitors, businesses and schools enjoy healthier and happier lives.
In 2007, with the help of renowned Los Angeles based instructor Diana Beardsley, we led the first Yoga One Teacher Training (at that time just a 100-hour course). Currently the acclaimed 200-hour course is held yearly in both winter and summer. We are excited to have had yogis from all over the world participate, including individuals from Japan, Ireland, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, England and more. We’re looking forward to offering a 300-hour course in September 2018.
Over the years, I’ve appeared on the cover of Yoga Journal (twice, including their 30th anniversary edition) as well as their “Home Practice” section. Michael conceived and compiled the popular Yoga One CD, which was released by Quango Music group and features among others, Thievery Corporation, Bliss and Zero 7.
Additional highlights include Yoga One being voted “Best Yoga Studio” in San Diego over 10 times and co-creating the best-selling iYoga Premium app in conjunction with 3D4 Medical. To create the app, I was filmed wearing a suit covered in electrodes and performed over 150 yoga poses. I recorded the voice over instruction and sequenced the demos. It was such an educational experience learning about the technology required to bring something like this to fruition. The other educational part was deepening my anatomy knowledge. My friend and fellow yogi Rachel Krentzman of Embody Physical Therapy and Yoga and I had to identify which muscles were contracting and stretching in each and every pose so that it could be animated for the app’s yogi avatar. Creating the app was certainly a challenging but thrilling experience.
I had the pleasure and honor of co-teaching a Yoga for Hope class in the outfield of Petco Park which helped to raise over $80,000 for the City of Hope’s research and fight against cancer. And for the past number of years, in conjunction with Scripps Health and the Downtown San Diego Partnership I get to lead a class for hundreds of yogis aboard the historic USS Midway.
Michael and I are so thankful for the practice of yoga in our lives and we feel extremely fortunate to share it with others. We are very grateful for the wonderful yoga teachers and students that comprise the Yoga One Family. Each day we strive to continue learning, growing and loving one another.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We love offering yoga to students in the downtown environment, but realize that for those who don’t work or live downtown parking can be challenging. We are always looking for ways to make it easier for students to practice with us. (And we think it’s worth the effort of seeking us out!) (:
Recently, the FRED program just expanded. FRED stands for Free Rides Everywhere Downtown. And, true to its name it’s free.
Riders can wave down a passing FRED cart or use the free app to schedule a pick up. Pretty cool!
But being downtown has its advantages as well. Our location has afforded us the opportunity to specialize in corporate wellness and yoga for professionals. Bringing the joys and benefits of yoga to a work environment is definitely one of our strengths.
Yoga One – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We feel yoga isn’t just what you do but how you do it. Yoga to us is a philosophy, a mindset, a way of life, not simply exercise.
We offer a variety of yoga styles and levels in a welcoming, safe and non-competitive environment led by experienced instructors who teach optimal alignment and breathing, as well as mindfulness, strength and balance – on and off the yoga mat.
In addition to facilitating the well-being of thousands of private individuals, Yoga One has a long-standing tradition and is adept at assisting companies, schools, organizations, social groups and residential communities who are looking to improve the health of their associates.
We teach how to practice with intelligence, notice carefully and then be open to the outcome. Detailed alignment in yoga postures helps to refine awareness and empowers students to stay safe. In this way, we can enjoy a lifelong practice! And wellbeing of course supports the other aspects of our lives: family, work, dancing, surfing, hiking… whatever nourishes your spirit.
We teach with depth of knowledge, heart and integrity. No set series, no memorized scripts, no automated teachers – each and every one of us at Yoga One keeps learning, stays open to new ideas and pays attention to what works for ourselves and our students. We strive to share that strength, openness and mindfulness in each and every class.
Never wanting finances to hinder individuals from experiencing the joys and benefits of yoga, we maintain on-going, weekly free classes held at our studio that are open to the public. And in conjunction with Scripps Health and the Downtown San Diego Partnership we offer a free class every Saturday, from 9-10am at various parks in the Downtown area.
Yoga One is authentic, knowledgeable, welcoming and down to earth. We are comprised of a wonderful group of individuals who simply strive to be their best selves and contribute to creating a positive environment. This culminates in a fantastic community. Just like the three elements of Kriya yoga, we practice and work diligently (Tapas), we try to notice or pay attention carefully (Svadyaya) and do our best to remain open to the outcome (Ishvara Pranidhana).
Pricing:
- New Student Special: $50 for one month of unlimited classes
- Unlimited Monthly: $99 – via auto-debit
- 8 Classes monthly: $88 – via monthly auto-debit
- 4 Classes monthly: $48 – via monthly auto-debit
- 5-Class package: $70 – Valid for 6 months from purchase date
- 10-Class package: $130 – Valid for 6 months from purchase date
- 20-Class package: $240 – Valid for 6 months from purchase date
Contact Info:
- Website: www.YogaOneSanDiego.com
- Phone: 619-544-0587
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogaonesandiego/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogaonesandiego/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/YogaOneSanDiego/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/yoga-one-san-diego
- Other: http://www.yogaonesandiego.com/yoga-teacher-training
Image Credit:
Shadow Van Houten
Epic Photo Journalism
Nacee Lewis
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
