Meet St. Louis Yoga Week ambassador Andi Gebhart! Andi teaches yoga at Brick City Yoga and the Ferguson Library. Her personal practice and class offerings are trauma informed, body accepting, slow flows that encourage exploration of the power if space and breath. Andi is would like to remind us that “You are enough”.
Learn more about Andi Gebhart below:
How did you first discover yoga/meditation? What was your first impression of yoga/meditation?
My first yoga experience was in Keiner Plaza for Sunrise Yoga. At the time I was running a lot and was looking for a way to cross-train. What I realized was yoga did so much more than allow me to touch my toes (which I couldn’t do at first).
What brought you to yoga/meditation?
While becoming more flexible was the initial goal of my practice it soon became obvious that it helped me beyond that. I have anxiety, depression and OCD, and for me at least that tends to fade a little more when I’m on the mat. That is what kept me coming back. Now the peace I feel tends to come off the mat with me.
What was your first yoga class like? Where was it? Who were you with?
It was a hot late spring, early summer morning in Kiener Plaza. Elle was there to check me in and admin and Jamie Austin was teaching. It changed my life even though it was difficult at first.
What is your favorite part of a yoga or mindfulness practice?
I preach it in every class I teach. It is the space between that you can find and explore. The space between poses, the space between final rest and leaving class. That space between can be uncomfortable at times, but it holds the greatest gift.
What does your current yoga and/or mindfulness practice look like?
My practice fuels me and sometimes that means sitting in a chair holding a mudra and breathing. Sometimes it is multiple sun salutations to burn off energy and a lot of times it is learning to love myself right in the moment and move however it comes. It is also something I work to teach in my classes.
What styles of yoga do you practice and teach?
I focus on trauma informed, body accepting, slow flows both for myself and my students.
What are your favorite yoga props and/or tools?
Blocks revolutionized my practice.
How does yoga show up for you off the mat?
After learning the philosophy of yoga I was really drawn to ahimsa: to not do harm to myself and others. Yet, yoga allows me to breath through the difficult things in my life. It doesn’t solve problems but rather ride through them.
How has your practice impacted your life?
It has made me more confident in my abilities to handle difficult situations. It has also allowed me to appreciate my body just as it is on any given day.
Where do you practice/teach yoga or meditation in St. Louis? Who are your teachers? If you are a teacher, where did you get your certification/who have you studied with?
I am a 200hr Registered Yoga Teacher who got my certification from Yoga Buzz. Teachers who have impacted my practice include Elle, Donna, Amber, Jamie Austin, Katie Rodgers.
I also have taken trainings through the Prison Yoga Project and Bill Brown from that program was very impactful. Other trainings include: Michelle Cassandra Johnson on Radicalizing my Yoga practice, Amber Karnes on Body Positive Yoga, an online training through Off the Mat, Into the World, and a group from the UK called Our Mala who taught about teaching to refugees and asylum seekers, which is something that is very important for me to build up one day.
Right now I teach actively at Brick City Yoga and the first Tuesday of every month at the Florissant Valley Library Branch.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started practicing?
To allow myself to be rather than push myself into thinking yoga was an exercise only.
What are you currently reading or listening to?
I always have a lot of books going, currently I’m re-reading Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl and in terms of what I listen to besides NPR and podcasts…A Tribe Called Red has been my loop music for awhile followed by a song called Faith that is a dance mix featuring Dolly Parton. I may have used it a few times in my classes.
What is the best piece of advice you have received regarding your practice?
It was from Amber Karnes when I was discussing the difficulty at times of being a plus sized yoga teacher. She said, my practice may not be for everyone but they can choose what they like or don’t, but the people you do touch will love what is offered to them. Don’t change the way you teach or go against your principles for numbers.
What are you curious about within yoga/meditation/etc right now?
I’m always curious how to teach in a way that is sensitive to the history of the practice while honoring it in my own way. I am also interested in showing that yoga is open to all bodies of every type, color and creed.
Why do you practice yoga?
To help find a little inner peace in a crazy world.
What are you up to when you aren’t practicing yoga or mindfulness?
You will probably find me volunteering at Bellefontaine Cemetery helping with tours, events and the archives. Volunteering at the Endangered Wolf Center. Going back to school for another degree in Psychology and Brain Science. Admin at Kiener Plaza and working at Wash U. I like to keep busy. At home I like to write, read and paint.
Share a story of how yoga has shown up in your life off of the mat.
When my father was dying yoga provided space for me to collect my thoughts and ride through the grief. I knew that it wasn’t always pretty but find that space to do that, even in hospitals was powerful.
Share a story of a profound/interesting/inspiring moment you have experienced within a yoga/meditation practice, whether as a teacher or student.
I teach a Yoga for Self Acceptance class at Brick City Yoga. The class always inspires me regardless of who shows up. I teaching using a lot of props and show alternatives that may work for people. Almost every class I have a student come up to me and tell me that something I talked about or taught changed their practice. That is powerful stuff.
What has been one of the most impactful things you have learned through yoga or meditation?
The power of space and breath.
If you could have an intro song play everytime you step onto your mat or chair, what would it be?
Probably Faith by Dolly Parton and Galantis
If you could practice yoga anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I’d love to go to India one day.
If you could share any message on a billboard, what would it say?
You are enough
Thank you Andi for sharing your experience with St. Louis Yoga Week! Would you like to share your experience of practicing yoga in St. Louis? Become an ambassador here!