Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhett Crowe.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Rhett. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I began practicing yoga in 2002 knowing nothing about it other than you stretched. Thankfully I had a great teacher and by the end of the 2nd class I was completely hooked. Yoga was nothing like I expected: sure, there is stretching but it is such a small part of the whole practice. Within a few months of going to class 3 times a week I realized I was less reactionary, more calm and happy, and physically felt better too, I started teaching in 2005 while working full-time and raising my kids. I left my full-time job in 2010 and have been devoting my life fully to teaching and practicing since then.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has certainly not been a smooth road, but I have to admit a good bit of the struggle was self-inflicted. I am not comfortable promoting myself so for many years I slowly built my following through word-of-mouth. I was worried about making a living solely teaching so I hung onto my full-time job even though it took time away from my passion. I have noticed the difference since I have gained the courage to put myself more on the line, to more fully believe in myself, and to decline spending time doing anything other than what I’m passionate about. It is still not easy in some ways, but for the most part I don’t feel like I’m working – I’m just doing what I love.
Rhett Crowe Yoga and Urban Santosha – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I teach yoga in the Viniyoga tradition, known for its adaptation of the tools of yoga to work with people on whatever level of activity they need. Krishnamacharya, widely considered the “father of modern yoga” and the creator of the Sun Salutations, was the founder. I tailor not only the poses but the order of the poses within a yoga practice to the needs of my students so they can gain the benefits without the potential stress of a “traditional” yoga class. I call this Functional Yoga – you probably don’t really need to stand on your head (and there are legitimate reasons to not do so), but you do need to be able to reach the items on the top shelf at the grocery store. I work with students who have severe epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, both knees replaced, frozen shoulders, panic attacks, depression, and bulging discs. My approach is to try to heal the injury or limitation and if that isn’t possible to at least stabilize the body and mind. If the condition is progressive then we work with how to adapt physically, mentally, and emotionally to the changing reality of life in order to make peace with it. I utilize many tools that Yoga offers to achieve that, often ones not taught in other yoga classes.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My experience of success is being comfortable in my body, in my mind, and in my heart. I don’t feel the need to have new things or live in a fancy house or to be the most popular yoga teacher in my area. I’m much more peaceful living simply so I have the time to pursue what I love and improve myself rather than having to work to pay off debt. I have been fortunate to be able to follow my dream while maintaining a basic standard of living.
Pricing:
- 6 classes for $75
- Drop in $15
- Private sessions $60/hr or $75/1.5 hr
- Developing a Personal Practice for you to do at home – $150
Contact Info:
- Website: urbansantosha.com
- Phone: 706-540-9986
- Email: info@urbansantosha.co,
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhettcrowe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhett.crowe
Image Credit:
Joyce Hethcox
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