Ryan Brewer stumbled into yoga in 1999 with no intention of spiritual growth. In fact, he was initially drawn to yoga for purely physical fitness reasons. After leaving the Internet business to explore a more rewarding career in personal training, his studies of anatomy, biomechanics, and nutrition led him to the amazing benefits of yoga. Being extremely inflexible his whole life Ryan decided to try yoga as a personal challenge to become more flexible and healthy. After experiencing the extraordinary benefits of the practice, Ryan decided to become certified as a yoga teacher to share yoga with his community of clients. His first teacher training in Costa Rica “cracked open” his heart in a way he'd never expected. What had started as a means to excel in fitness had become the catalyst to open his eyes, heal his heart, and profoundly change in his life for the better. Ryan considers himself a modern day urban yogi who prides himself on being able to present yoga in a way that is accessible to anyone despite his or her age, voice, fitness level, body type, or belief system. Ryan's Vinyasa classes are well known for being challenging yet restorative with a strong emphasis on the power of the breath. Great music, sweat, and over all healing are the foundation of every one of Ryan's classes where all levels are welcome! Outside of class, Ryan leads workshops and retreats all over the world, including an annual trip to Joshua Tree and the popular “Yoga & Wine” retreat in beautiful Ojai California.
KIRTAN WITH RYAN
Although I have practiced and taught yoga asana for almost ten years,
the art and practice of Kirtan (devotional singing) is a relatively new journey for me.
In fact, as of a few years ago, singing in public was one of my greatest fears!
I had always been deeply touched by kirtan when chanting in Govindas' class in Santa
Monica or singing along with Krishna Das alone in my car, but it wasn't until a yoga
retreat that I was first inspired to lead. A young man without any musical talent
whatsoever nor sense of rhythm decided to bravely share a chant with the group.
Despite his lack of musicality he sang with such amazing joy in his face and honesty
in his voice that the whole group was swept up in an amazing heart-felt high.
It was that moment that inspired me to buy my first harmonium in India and
eventually led me to participate in Jai Uttal's Kirtan Camp. There I
learned that Kirtan was about prayer and not performance. I learned that
being real was much more profound than being "good". I learned to sing from my
heart and it continues to open each time I chant. My old fear has faded into the
background and has been replaced by love and gratitude. I don't know of any practice
more dedicated to the healing of the human heart than Kirtan... and now I get to share it!
Thank you to all my teachers! Jai Ma!!!
