Teacher Spotlight: Meet Alison
Alison King Tigges (better known as AKT!) has been a staple of the OTY schedule for as long as we can remember. She started practicing here in high school, took teacher training with Theresa Murphy and started teaching hot yoga right away. A few years in, it became clear that yoga would be her path, so she quit her “real job” to take on yoga full time. And she hasn’t looked back. Alison now co-owns OTY and lives the path every single day.
Here is our recent interview with Alison:
1. Tell us a little about you.
My life these days consists of teaching yoga, running 2 yoga studios, and being with my family. I have been married to my husband J.J. for almost 10 years and we have a 6-year old (Amelia) and a 3 year old (Leo). They keep me super busy! When I am not chasing kids or doing yoga, I really love being active in general. I am outside as much as I can be and am even becoming someone who bundles up in winter just to be outside. I love walking, weight-lifting, and reading. I am usually reading several books at once. In my former life I was working in the political and criminal justice world, so I still geek out on that stuff in my spare time. Gimme all the podcasts and interesting articles.
2. What is the biggest impact that yoga has had on your life?
Do you have several hours?! I have been practicing yoga for 20 years now, and I will say it just keeps getting better. I came for the yoga poses but I stay for the benefits it has on my mental and emotional health. Yoga has really taught me how to deal when the going gets tough, that nothing is permanent, and to always practice contentment. I am grateful for this path EVERY SINGLE DAY. I have learned skills for how to slow down, live more in the moment and think before I speak. That is huge! Physically I am just so grateful for how this practice helps my body. I can chase after my kids, recover from my lifting workouts and generally wake up feeling great. That’s the gift that keeps on giving!
3. When do you apply the lessons of yoga in your daily life?
Constantly! Yoga informs my life off the mat always. When I am working or parenting or adulting —I apply the lessons of yoga. It has also been particularly helpful in my self-growth work and how I interact with others. I actually cannot imagine doing life without the lessons yoga teaches me!
4. What are your 3 go-to poses if you need a quick practice?
Ooooh 3 is tough! These days? (1) Downward-facing dog (2) sukhasana and all it’s variations (3) Supported bridge
5. What is your favorite style of yoga right now and why?
I will always and forever be a Hatha girl. I love to LEARN poses and geek out on workshopping them with all the props and all the anatomy-goodness. BUT I also dig yin as its really what provides the most balance my body (and life!).
6. What is unique about your classes and your style of teaching?
I hope that my style is a great balance of holding true to the long tradition of yoga AND light-heartedness. I fully believe yoga is a subject and is serious—but also not that serious! I try to approach my classes playfully but also impart knowledge. Since I come from an athletic background and am a HUGE advocate of strength-training, I really try to emphasize the importance of stability and strength (not just stretching) in my classes. I think I can cue the heck out of any pose and am really great at sequencing (we all are at OTY actually!)