ODDlight Teacher Feature: Emma Alley

We One Down Dog dare you not to describe Emma's presence and teaching style as serene, tranquil, or calming. Actually, we're gonna throw you a curveball and describe her CHILL, FLOW, RESTORE, and MEDITATE classes with an unexpected word – ELEGANT! As a choreographer and performer, Emma brings music and fluid movement to the forefront, leaving students with an imaginative spark they can carry from the mat out into the world. Emma's Libra-ness cannot be tamed, as she balances that creativity with a centered bravery you have to experience firsthand. Read on for a peek inside Emma's life beyond yoga and how it inspires your new favorite classes (& playlists).

Five words to describe yourself?

As told by my partner: vivacious, intuitive, creative, genuine, in-tune

What's an ODD fact about you?

I have one cat named Eggs and another named Fig.

One thing you're working on in your personal practice right now?

Staying connected with my breath consistently

Where are you when you're not on the mat?

In nature, ideally!

Favorite food or restaurant?

Jitlada in Thai town! The perfect Tom Yum soup.

What initially inspired you to become a yoga instructor?

After 20 years of rigorous and intense classical dance training, I was interested in finding a movement system I could practice and share that would be conducive to a gentle and holistic relationship with the body.

Where are you inviting play into your practice/day to day?

I am lucky to currently be working with children, who draw me into the state of play daily! I try to spread that quality/state of being into other areas of my life, including my work as a teacher/facilitator.

If your students take home ONE lesson from your class, what do you hope it is?

That their yoga practice only begins on the mat~

What song/album/playlist do you have on repeat right now?

One of my favorite albums to move to is In Rainbows (Radiohead) and I think my students are quite aware of this fact.

One affirmation you always come back to?

The only truth is change.

Get to know Emma more by finding her on the class schedule!