Sandy Byrne… Owner of River Rock Yoga & Wellness Center
E-RYT, Yoga Tune Up® Teacher Trainer, and LMT
I found my way to the mat about 14 years ago. Before that I was a competitive gymnast and coach. I looked shiny and pretty on the outside but my insides where falling apart from all the misuse, overuse and abuse from many years of coaching and gymnastics. Yoga put me back together and made me feel better in all of my bodies.
wind up… how do you wind up, prepare for the week ahead?
Hmmm that’s a hard question because I own a studio and have a family so it’s pretty hard to wind down. I think I’m always wound up! That’s why I do yoga. Its my practice and my teaching that actually ground me and keep me able to do life.
and, when you need to exhale… what’s your other direction?
The things that fill me up and slow me down: Of course my yoga & meditation practice help, but give me a walk in the woods or a day at the beach and I’m good to go. As well as spending time with my family and friends.
favorite high powered snack?
My healthy delight? B.Good Kale Crush Smoothie
My secret pleasure? Dark Chocolate
the sound of music… you have room for 5 tracks on your playlist, they are?
Om Shakti Om by Trevor Hall
God is Real by Krishna Dass
Winter Song by Sara Bareilles/Ingrid Michaelson
93 Million Miles by Jason Mraz
Ariel by Peter Jack Rainbird
Hadra by Lumin
your bible… what one book do you turn to time and time again for inspiration?
If you’re asking what’s by my nightstand, right now it’s covered in anatomy books. My favorites? The Roll Model Method by Jill Miller and Alignment Matters by Katy Bowman. As far as my spiritual go to? The Bhagavad Gita translated by Stephen Mitchell is my favorite. It’s an easy read and each time I read it, I see it from a completely new perspective. Each stanza is painted with different color penned/penciled notes. I can tell where I was when I was reading it last and witness the shift in my perspective.
Sandy Byrne assists Jill Miller, creator of Yoga Tune Up®, nationally and is a lead teacher trainer in the Yoga Tune Up® community. Sandy (an E-RYT and an Integrated Therapeutic Yoga Tune Up® Teacher/Trainer) will be leading The Roll Model Method – The Science of Rolling on November 21 at Om Warrior in Boston. This event will mark Ms. Byrne’s first time ever Yoga Tune Up® appearance in the Boston area.
Interview compiled by Susan Currie
Author Susan Currie is an Associate Editor at LA YOGA magazine. Her words and images have been featured in the Boston Globe, Elephant Journal, Yogi Times, the Tishman Review, the Huffington Post, Spirit of St. Bart’s and on the cover of the book Moving into Meditation (Shambala) by Anne Cushman.
Susan is also the creator of the Daily Inhale and an RYT 200 registered yoga instructor. She unpacks her various professional experiences through the creative and yoga workshops she leads throughout the country. Her new book, GRACENOTES (Shanti Arts 2017), a blend of words and images, is now available in wide release.