What are your “Big 3?" 

Pisces sun. Pisces moon. Sagittarius rising. Same as Erykah Badu!

Five words to describe yourself?

Authentic. Loving. Hilarious. Intuitive. Energetic.

What’s an ODD fact about you?

I’m featured in “These Are The Ways" music video by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

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

Ahimsa. Being more gentle and kind to my mind. I’m compassionate with other people. Sometimes it’s hard to practice it for myself. It’s a journey!

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

Recharging in nature, crafting, going to concerts, and eating sushi with my partner.

What’s your fave food or restaurant?

Sushi and Thai all day.

Something or someone that inspires you?

Nature, music, and art.

What initially inspired you to become a yoga instructor?

My mother became a massage therapist and reiki practioner later in life, which planted the seed of curiosity for holistic living.
I decided to become a yoga instructor 12 years ago because I had wonderful teachers, and yoga helped me through the darkest times in my life. I love to share this powerful gift of holding space for people to feel embodied with physical and mental well-being, self-discovery, deep self-love, and joy.

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

On my mat, I integrate shaking my booty in down dog, and spiraling my hips to release my low back, and singing along to my playlist as I flow.

If a student takes home ONE lesson from your class, what do you hope it is?

Be grateful for a body that can move. Lungs that can breathe. A heart that can feel.
Celebrate your life!

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

This one.

One affirmation you always come back to?

I have two.

1. Don’t hate, self-regulate.

2. A quote by Maya Angelou.
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."

How are you feeling good these days?

Limiting phone time, sufficient sleep, nourishing meals, meditation, yoga, acts of kindness, and sharing time with loved ones.

What is your definition of “energy?" 

Energy is the heartbeat of the universe, the pulse that keeps everything alive, a constant ebb and flow, the unseen force that binds all things together.

The post ODDlight Teacher Feature: Karen Resulto appeared first on One Down Dog.

What are your “Big 3?" 

Scorpio sun Cancer moon Cancer rising

Five words to describe yourself?

Direct, Cool, Silly, Vivacious, a yapper lol

What’s an ODD fact about you?

I screentested for SNL!

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

I’m working on loving whatever body i wake up with every day and sticking beside her!

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

Doing standup!

What’s your fave food or restaurant?

Berry Bowl in Highland Park!

Something or someone that inspires you?

Toni Morrison & Nikki Giovanni

What initially inspired you to become a yoga instructor?

I wanted to learn more about my body & create my own practice!

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

In the small in between moments! In traffic, while waiting in line, I am inviting play into the mundane moments!

If a student takes home ONE lesson from your class, what do you hope it is?

Be proud of where your body is today so you can celebrate all of the ways you grow each time you come to your mat.

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

This one.

One affirmation you always come back to?

I never have to do this day again. I say this after an especially hard day knowing that tomorrow could be challenging as well but it won’t be the same challenge as today.

How are you feeling good these days?

Practicing Yoga Nidra, making time to hang with friends and looking back in time at ways my ancestors emphasized joy and rest.

What is your definition of “energy?" 

I associate energy with prana, our life force. It is what fills our body and bones with breath, life and light.

The post ODDlight Teacher Feature: Asia Martin appeared first on One Down Dog.

What are your Big 3?

Leo Sun, Scorpio Moon, Sag Rising.

Five words to describe yourself?

Driven. Brave. Giving. Funny. Tough.

What’s an ODD fact about you?

Had a boating license before a drivers license

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

Only moving when my breath changes. Which, for my home practice is great, fine , no problem. Lovely, really. Gets very tricky in a public class. Not moving at class pace, moving at my breath pace is a way I take care of myself though. I’ve worked long and hard to breathe as slowly as I can, it’s a different experience to flow slowly with ones breath.

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

Angel City Soccer Games, Movies, or Walking my dog

What’s your fave food or restaurant?

Going out? Cabra Los Angeles – it’s Peruvian, Downtown. Or Taking home? Uncle Andre’s BBQ in the Valley on Moorpark St.

Something or someone that inspires you?

I am someone who does a lot of different things so, unsurprisingly I am inspired by other polymaths. People who genuinely want to learn are inspiring. Great teachers. Sure yoga, but also in every aspect of life. Someone who is great at teaching. Cooking, communication, quantum physics, anything. Good teachers are inspiring.

What initially inspired you to become a yoga instructor?

I never planned to be a yoga teacher. It just kinda happened. I think I was asking my teachers too many questions and I kept getting the suggestion to “take a teacher training" over and over, well 15yrs later… here we are

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

Arm balances offer a chance to be whimsical and playful! A little crow pose here and there keeps me playful.

If a student takes home ONE lesson from your class, what do you hope it is?

If you’re gonna spend time cleaning your mat after class, – FOLD IT before you roll it. Otherwise you’re just rolling the dirty side right onto the clean side.

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

Alligator Bites Never Heal – DOECHII

One affirmation you always come back to?

I’ve got this.

How are you feeling good these days?

Hot Take. I think feeling “GOOD" can sometimes set a bar too high. I prefer to feel calm. TO look for way to find quiet and calm. Peace.

How does your yoga practice inspire your altruism / service off the mat?

I say it at the end of every class but, We have to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first before we can be of service elsewhere. Yoga is breath linked movement. All that oxygen.

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

The post ODDlight Teacher Feature: Ashley Platz appeared first on One Down Dog.

Come for the conscientious combo, stay for Audrey’s unique and unparalleled multidisciplinary approach to movement; with a 200hr teacher training in Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda, 300hr in Vinyasa Flow, and certifications in Yoga Tune-Up, Yin Yoga, Kids Yoga and as a Sculptworks teacher, Spinning Instructor and AcroYogaFit trainer, this Renaissance woman provides you with an inspirational approach to fitness, fun, and daily chocolate.

Next November, Audrey will join Cindy Godell in a Costa Rican paradise for a transformative retreat designed to empower, embody, and embolden participants to embrace their inner power and let it guide a more meaningful experience. Expect daily flows, rejuvenating yin, and community-building acroyoga while enjoying pristine beaches, eco-conscious luxury accommodations, and local amenities and excursions at “Empower the Spirit in Costa Rica!“

What are your “Big 3?" 

Scorpio Sun Leo Moon  Gemini Rising

Five words to describe yourself?

Playful, supportive, honest, strong, empathetic

What’s an ODD fact about you?

I was hired right when Jess, the founder, was about to go on maternity leave to help cover the popular SWEAT classes. I was on such a high the day of my audition, as I was leaving, I got into a little fender bender in the parking lot of the original Silverlake studio.

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

Physically going along with the flow of the winter season. Taking things easy, moving but not pushing too hard. Taking rests fully and unapologetically. Consciously, becoming more aware of when I turn to my phone to check out and limiting opportunities for that to happen. Emotionally, she’s feeling them all as they come and loving it.

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

These days my mat is the gym. When I train I’m in my body and with my breath and I equate that to my practice rooted from many years of yoga as we traditionally understand it. When I’m not being physically active I’m training clients, teaching online classes, or with my loved ones – mom, dad, and fiancé. Or I’m curled up in bed watching reality TV.

What’s your fave food or restaurant?

Oh My Gawd Fries from Best Shawarma – It’s like Carne Asada fries but with beef shawarma meat and in n out secret sauce on top – otherwise I’m always eating cookies. Preferably soft baked.

Something or someone that inspires you?

I draw inspiration from tons of people. Ones close to me and ones I’ve never met before.

What initially inspired you to become a yoga instructor?

It was during a phase of my life between completing my bachelors in fine art, a devastating breakup I was completely invested in, and figuring out what I had to offer the world. I signed up to a yoga teacher training with no yoga practice and wasn’t aware that wasn’t the normal route people take. That training I took changed the trajectory of my life, not because it was a particularly good training. I was just ready for change and didn’t compare myself to other teachers. I wasn’t exposed to that many at the time. I just began teaching, then continued on to more certifications and workshops and then my 300hr and Yin yoga and Acroyoga and so on. The learning doesn’t stop, the industry is still growing and changing which keeps me interested, and helping people is what gives me purpose.

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

The play must be everywhere at all times. Otherwise you run the risk of taking things too seriously. Between sets, throughout your workout, in the warm up, through the music, and with whoever you are with. In Acroyoga they say there are two rules. Rule 1: Have fun. Rule 2: Refer back to rule 1

If a student takes home ONE lesson from your class, what do you hope it is?

Going back to the previous question it would be to make sure you’re enjoying your process, weaving joy throughout your practice, keep track of your progress and always celebrate your little wins.

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

We just got back from a destination wedding in Cabo and loved the music at one of the restaurants there. Here’s a playlist I found on Spotify that’s similar. Otherwise Rufus Du Sol never misses.

One affirmation you always come back to?

“You know I’m not an affirmation person but I realized I’ve been living by The Four Agreements before I knew the book existed
1 – Be impeccable with your word. Which is why my friends describe me as honest and sometimes maybe blunt
2 – Don’t take anything personally. Cause its not about you and to think so is a selfish thought
3 – Don’t make assumptions. You have no idea what people are going through and chances are whatever you assume you’re projecting
4 – Always do your best. If you move with that in mind you’ll always love your practice"

How are you feeling good these days?

I make sure I move in some way every day. Movement always makes me happy. Lifting weights makes me happy. Then I enjoy two pieces of See’s chocolate every day. For now.

As a yogi, how do you approach New Year goals and ambitions?

I believe every moment is an opportunity for a fresh start—whether it’s a Monday, a new morning, a new quarter, or even a new hour. You don’t need to wait for the new year to make progress or set something exciting into motion. Personally, I don’t put a lot of emphasis on New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I focus on continuity. My goals don’t reset with the year; they evolve. I just keep building on them, setting new ones as I near completion of the old. I think the idea of New Year’s goal-setting can be helpful for some, but I prefer to maintain steady momentum throughout the year

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

The post ODDlight Teacher Feature: Audrey Guedelekian appeared first on One Down Dog.

Dedicated to sharing yoga, cultivating connection, and “always doing the next right thing," Jessica has also put One Down Dog at the forefront of altruism and social change. For example, she was one of the first people to donate to Miry’s List back in 2016 – helping to enable the vision of a friend, neighbor, and ODD student, Miry, who sought to assist refugees with the difficult process of resettlement in the United States. Needed now more than ever, Jessica continues to lead this charge with an annual fundraising FLOW for Miry’s List, this year hosted at our Eagle Rock studio at 10am on Christmas Day, and led by Jessica herself!

What are your “Big 3?" 

Scorpio sun Aquarius moon  Taurus rising

Five words to describe yourself?

Loud, adventurous, determined, loyal, hard-working

What’s an ODD fact about you?

My first dog, Patrick Bateman, is THE One Down Dog. He passed away in 2021 and I now have another mini-schnauzer named Steve Yzerman.

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

Showing up

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

On my computer running this business lol, but also being a mom, walking my dog, lifting weights, seeing live music, hanging with friends, eating delicious food.

What’s your fave food or restaurant?

I am a huge foodie so this is impossible to respond to. I love sushi, Hama is my fav.

Something or someone that inspires you?

Women in business.

What initially inspired you to become a yoga instructor?

“Long story short, working in a rehab. Short story long, while I was in my MA program studying psychology, my parents got me to take a yoga class, and I loved it. For graduation, I was gifted yoga teacher training, which I thought was going to be an add-on to my work as a therapist. I applied to work at a rehab and they saw yoga on my resume and asked if I would teach yoga there. I had no intention of ever teaching, in fact public speaking was (and sometimes still is) terrifying to me, but I said yes because I really wanted to work there. It turned out that I loved teaching yoga more than working as a therapist. The impact I saw in the clients I worked with was magical. Yoga has changed my life in massive ways, and I wanted to share that with others. I’ve worked in every position there is at various yoga studios and after not finding what I was looking for in my neighborhood, I decided to open my own. While I love teaching, my favorite part is creating and nurturing community.

Fun fact: the name One Down Dog comes from my work in recovery centers. One Down Dog at a time… (also, I’ve always secretly wanted to be a dj, so getting to make playlists brings me a lot of joy)"

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

Lots of singing and dancing.

If a student takes home ONE lesson from your class, what do you hope it is?

I’m not teaching right now, but if I was it would be to find ease within the effort, have fun and not take shit so seriously… none of us are getting out alive.

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

I’m going to see Saves the Day, Pharcyde, and Digable planets this month, so all of their albums You can also find a lot of my favs in our feeling-focused ODDtunes playlist on Spotify.

One affirmation you always come back to?

It’s ok to not be ok. I love you, keep going.

How are you feeling good these days?

Music, dancing, eating yummy food,

How do you incorporate karma yoga into your practice?

Always doing the next right thing.

The post ODDlight Teacher Feature: Jessica Rosen appeared first on One Down Dog.