When did you start practicing yoga?

I started practicing yoga semi regularly in 2005 at a gym I was a member of in downtown Boulder.  The teacher was an Ashtangi and I was doing the primary series each time.  I did not even realize it was the similar sequence each time!

What has yoga brought to your life?

Yoga has brought me everything.  It has taken me from a place of anxiety, panic, depression and dispair (which I was medicated for all of the above) to being un-medicated, happy, health and free.  I truly believe that yoga saved my life.

Why did you become a yoga instructor?

After eventually committing myself to a daily practice the profound healing and transformation I had undergone left me no doubt I needed to make my practice my #1 priority in my life.  What a better way to become a life long student than to become a full-time teacher.

What impact can a regular yoga practice have on a person's life?

A regular practice has the potential to change everything.  Physical, mental and emotional healing is guaranteed with a dedication to the practice.  I know this first hand, coming from someone who was VERY inflexible physically, mentally and emotionally.

What advice would you give to someone that is just starting yoga?

Show up!  Even on those days that you don't want to.  Leave your expectations at the door.  Be less focused on the end result of the work you do and do the work for the love of the work. 

What is special about the style of yoga you teach?

I refer to my style as "embodied power vinyasa".  It is definitely a flow class, but I truly do my best to keep alignment as a focus (it can often get lost to some extent in flow classes) and sequence to peak poses.  Sequencing is really my favorite part, it is my creative outlet.

What is your favorite yoga posture to teach, and why?

I honestly can say I don't have a favorite to teach.  They are ALL my favorite, whether simple, or complex they all have the potential for an "ah-ha" moment.

Please share some words of wisdom or advice for your yogadownload.com yoga students.

My advice to everyone is to have a dedicated practice!  Don't fall into being "too busy" for yoga!  Make it your priority and all is coming!!!

Do you have a favorite quote you'd like to share?

"To be yourself in a World that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

What do you like to do "off the mat"?

For me there is no "off the mat."  My life is yoga, everywhere I go I breathe, notice and contemplate impermanence.  I practice 24/7 ;)

Rob is ERYT 200 certified and teaches public classes in Boulder and Denver on a full time basis. He describes his style of teaching as embodied power vinyasa, pulling from many lineages of yoga. Rob's classes are creative, challenging, intelligent, FUN, and bring depth beyond just physical asana. Visit Rob's website here. 

Click Here for a complete listing of Rob's YogaDownload classes!