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

Justin Anne, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

One of the most important lessons I have learned as a yoga teacher happened to me early on. I graduated from my first 200 hour teacher training program in 2013, and started teaching right away. Just a few months later I quit my retail job, picked up more classes and became a full time hot yoga teacher. Here’s how it went: I struggled at first to find my place. I tried to sound like every yoga teacher on the planet but myself. I made my classes harder just for the sake of making them difficult. I was trying so hard to come up with all kinds of wild, crazy stuff to teach in class to set myself apart. Looking back, I think I just wanted to “prove myself” in some sort of way. To the students and the other teachers. Finally (thank goodness) a couple students complained about my classes and the studio owner called me. At the time I was devastated, but it’s the single best thing that’s happened in my teaching career. She very gently reminded me that yoga has been around for thousands of years for a reason. Because it works! Throw in some creativity now and then, but no need to reinvent the wheel. Now, 10 years later she and I co-lead the asana, sequencing and teaching methodology portions of our studio’s teacher training program, and I am very happy to pass along this knowledge to our trainees!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I took my first 200-hour teacher training in 2013 at Indigo Hot Yoga (where I currently teach). I also traveled to Florida and completed two advanced yoga courses at The Yoga Joint in Ft Lauderdale. Helping people of all sizes and abilities feel at home in their bodies has become my greatest passion. I want my students to feel empowered and confident. I hope that, in some way, I contribute to changing what a yogi looks like. I firmly believe that yoga can and should be accessible to all people. All sizes, ages, and abilities.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Just like the rest of the world, the pandemic was really challenging. The entire yoga and group fitness industry was forced to either shut down or pivot. For me (and I’m sure many others), not teaching just wasn’t an option. I worked harder than ever. I was forced to be more creative when engaging with my students. I taught outside, in parking lots, online, basically anywhere I could. I even made connections that lead to additional teaching opportunities at Greenhill Recovery and the NC State athletics department.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Passion for teaching and helping students achieve their goals. Not every class you teach will be your best, but it doesn’t matter as long as you are prioritizing the experience of your students.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @JA_yoga_girl