Get to know the Instructors – Maddy

Our beach babe Maddy was born in New York City, but moved around a lot spending several years living in Italy. Throughout her adolescence, yoga remained a constant source of grounding in her often unpredictable and rapidly changing life. Find out more about her and where you can find her when she’s not at Hot Dog Yoga (if you couldn’t already guess).

Why you became a yoga teacher:

I had practicing yoga for over 10 years when I decided to take the leap into my teacher training. Yoga had been a part of my life for so long, and while I relished every opportunity I had to deepen my practice, I craved an experience where I could learn more about the origins of the ancient practice and understand the meaning behind the asana and pranayama techniques I had been exploring. While studying in Berlin the previous summer, I practiced with 2 wonderful instructors who were leading a teacher training in Thailand the following winter. The timing seemed serendipitous, so I decided to accelerate my university studies in Sociology and graduate early so that I could pursue my teacher training in Thailand.

Favourite pose and why:

Triangle pose! I love the expansiveness and easefulness I feel in Trikonasana. It’s also one of those postures, where I am constantly learning to challenge myself while learning new ways to make my alignment more easeful. Plus it’s one of the best poses to do in the aisle on a long flight!

Other talents besides teaching yoga:

I love learning languages! I am currently fluent in Italian and Spanish and am hoping to learn more.

What you’re doing when you’re not at yoga:

While not teaching or practicing yoga, you can find me running along one of Sydney’s beautiful coastal trails, taking a dip in the Eastern beaches, rummaging for used clothing in outdoor markets or thrift stores, devouring acai bowls, or catching up on American baseball games at odd hours of the day/night.

Favourite quote:

“Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Favourite dog breed:

I love mutts of any kind! Though my absolute favourites are Pitbull mixes.

If you could choose a superpower:

Invisibility. I love the idea of being a true observer, and simply perceiving life without interacting with it. I’ve always had fun imagining all the scenarios I could be privy too if I didn’t have my physical body to get in the way.

Photo credit: Marceau Photography