Amaran Reilly Yoga 

About

 

During the 10-years I lived in NYC, I always struggled with career and housing. In 2003, during a period of unemployment, I gave up my apartment and took to "couch-surfing". When a friend told me about a free yoga class on Mon-Wed-Fri in his neighborhood, I decided to give it a try. On days when I was able to find paid work, I would go across the street to the Integral Yoga Institute (IYI) and pay the regular price. If I was not working on a Mon-Wed-Fri, I would take the free class. I have been practicing regularly ever since. 

 

When I moved to San Francisco in 2005, I continued my regular yoga practice at IYI. In 2011, I took Basic Teacher Training. I have been teaching regularly at IYI ever since. I started teaching Basic Hatha (Level I), then Advanced Beginner (Level I/II), then Intermediate (Level II). 

 

In 2012, I developed a workshop "Yoga for Cyclists". This was the first time I was able to combine two things that I love to do: yoga and cycling. (I have been involved with AIDS/Lifecycle since 2007, both as a rider in 2007 and 2008 and as a Training Ride Leader from 2009 to present). This workshop grew organically from a 15-min warm-up I created for ALC training rides, to a 30-min session for Sunday Streets, to a full two-hour workshop at IYI. 

 

At the beginning of 2014, I took an advanced teacher training "Yoga for Healing". During this I discovered my calling: bringing yoga to people regardless of (dis)ability. I fell in love with the idea of that any body could do yoga. 

 

I helped create a regular (wheel)chair class at Laguna Honda. I continue to teach there every Friday. 

 

I also began teaching Gentle Yoga at IYI. Here I continued to develop the understanding and skills needed to help people practice yoga regardless of their ability. I always bring a spirit of acceptance to every class I teach. Accepting where we are in our physical practice as where we need to be today. 

 

It is this spirit of acceptance that has allowed me to create 10-20 minute introductory sessions for groups that are not familiar with yoga. I have presented to veterans, cyclists and people with HIV/AIDS. Even in these introductory sessions, it is amazing to see how yoga fulfills a deep longing in people: a longing to connect with our bodies and a desire to be at peace. 

 

Nothing brings me more joy than sharing the gift of yoga with others!