Not surprisingly the decision to become a yoga teacher came to me in a yoga class. I was lying in savasna after a particularly hard hot yoga standing series. An intense feeling of compassion came over me. I felt incredibly alive and vibrant. I wanted to share what I was feeling with everyone. I realized at that moment that the best way to do that was to become a yoga instructor.

giving back

I was 55 years old at the time. After class, the more I thought about becoming a teacher the more I realized that maybe it was time for me to start giving back to society. This had been in my thoughts quite often the past couple of years. What should I do for the rest of my life? How can I help? How can I serve? What can I do? How many times had I asked these questions? It was time for me to move into the next stage. I knew right then I wanted to take this thing, yoga, that had helped me so much mentally and physically and share it with as many people as possible. I had the feeling that if I could do this, what a better world it would be, what a better community I could help to create and I could practice yoga every day for the rest of my life!

the journey

After finishing my yoga teacher training in 2009 I started on the teachers path. It’s been an amazing experience. I don’t think a day has gone by without me thinking this was the best thing I could have done with my life. I love everything about it. There’s always so much to learn and share! The teachers and the students I work with are amazing. I always think it’s pretty awesome that I am working in a field where I can do so much for everyone I meet. I sometimes wonder how many people feel this way about their work. I feel so fortunate in so many ways.

the full circle

Since I’ve been helping at the trainings I feel like I have completed the circle. It’s a wonderful feeling to help other people with their dream of becoming teachers and at the same time being in a situation where I can learn too. There’s always so much to learn! So many great folks to learn with! I love that! When I return to teaching at my home studio in Tampa it’s always with a new sense of vigor and excitement. I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned at the trainings with my fellow teachers and students, and I’m always happy to remind myself that I will be doing this for the rest of my life.

Gary Davis

I started my yoga practice in the year 2000 after sustaining a serious injury. I was 48 years old at the time, and, after a lifetime of abusing my body through team sports, lifting weights and running, I decided it was time to pursue a more realistic exercise program. For the first year and a half, I cultivated a home practice, faithfully doing a hot yoga series in various heated bathrooms, garages and attics. Once I found a studio, I jumped into a regular practice, which I continue to this day. I became a Bikram certified teacher in 2009, and have taught yoga in Sarasota, the Northeast, and the Evolation studio in Tampa Bay. Teaching yoga is my full time occupation. I am also on the Evolation teacher training faculty and I feel really fortunate to be involved in the process of training new teachers. I'm just about to turn 62, and I'm in the best shape of my life — physically,mentally, and spiritually. One of my goals is to get more people my age practicing yoga.