We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angela Schwartz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angela below.

Angela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When you’ve been a professional in an industry for long enough, you’ll experience moments when the entire field takes a U-Turn, an instance where the consensus completely flips upside down or where the “best practices” completely change. If you’ve experienced such a U-Turn over the course of your professional career, we’d love to hear about it.

I was a special education teacher for over 20 years before I became a yoga teacher. About 10 years ago, I got a concussion which removed me from the classroom. Despite my attempts to return to the career I loved, it was no longer the right path for me. Then, about 5 years ago, I began the daily practice of yoga. Naturally, I wanted to share what I was learning and experiencing. I received my first yoga teacher certification in 2019 and my classes were scheduled at a local studio beginning in January, 2020. I was so grateful to be teaching again! It wasn’t long before studios closed and yoga classes moved online. And there was another redirection for me! In order to continue to serve the people who were practicing with me each week, my former dining room became my in-home studio and I started my own business, Meet Me On My Mat. I currently offer 10 online practices each week with an option for local friends and family to practice in-person, right in my home. Grateful for this transition and the opportunities it has made possible!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was a special education teacher for over 20 years. Now I’m a yoga teacher who specializes in yoga for people with individual needs (that’s all of us!) due to injury, illness, age, or other circumstance. I especially love to practice with people who are not so sure about yoga or would not necessarily get out to a yoga studio.

I have personally experienced addiction, concussion, and multiple pelvic health conditions that have impacted my life and my practice.

After many years of doing a little yoga here and there, I began a daily yoga practice in 2018. By 2019, I knew I wanted to learn more and share with others. I had been away from a teacher role in schools for about 5 years, but I knew I was still a teacher. I got my first (200 hour) certification that year and had classes on the schedule at my local studio beginning in January 2020. When the studio closed in March, I moved my classes online. A few months later, I started Meet Me On My Mat, my very own yoga business from my home.

I am now a Certified Yoga and Meditation Teacher with additional specialized experience with Accessible and Adaptive Yoga, Y12SR (The Yoga of 12 Step Recovery), TRY (Trauma Recovery Yoga). Restorative and Yin yoga, and a member of Pelvic Health Professionals.

I currently have 10 practices each week including Chair Yoga, “Back On The Mat” (for those who do not want to sit or stand), “All Yin”, Mindful Movement, “Mostly Meditation”, and MMOMM’s Book Club.

What I love about turning my former dining room into a place where I can share yoga is that I can reach so many people and bring a community together. No need to leave home! That’s great for me – and great for MMOMM community members!

From June 2020-July 2021, I created and hosted a Day of International Yoga (DIY) once a month on a Sunday from 6AM-10AM. I had a different yoga teacher each hour sharing the yoga they loved most and we reached people all around the world! That is likely the coolest thing I have ever dreamed, done, or might ever do in this lifetime!

Have you ever had to pivot?

The greatest pivot of my yoga teacher career was in 2020. From studio classes to virtual classes overnight and ultimately to the creation of Meet Me On My Mat! I felt a responsibility to my community, to continue to provide classes and there was no question or doubt. Had to take the leap! So glad I did!

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I am so grateful to have experience as a special education teacher and administrator. It definitely is helpful in the ways I share yoga, create community, and adapt to whoever is in the virtual yoga space.

I would also choose my own life experiences again as they have created the stories I have to share, the ways I can relate and connect with others to help them with similar concerns.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @meetmeonmymat
• Facebook: Meet Me On My Mat