Matt

Matt Borer is one of Yoga Yoga’s full time Ashtanga and Hatha teachers. You’ll find him all over our schedule, with beginners classes, Ashtanga Advanced, and every level in between. Matt also teaches the popular Yoga For Dudes workshop, bringing yoga to Austin dudes in a comfortable, supportive setting.

Matt grew up just south of Buffalo, New York in a small town called Allegany. In 2005 he came to Austin to work at Yoga Yoga. Matt is also certified in Thai Massage, is an accomplished percussionist, and spent several years as a bartender.

Matt was introduced to yoga when a friend dragged him to an Ashtanga class in Los Angeles. Having never done yoga before, he made it through and came out inspired. When he got home to DC, Matt started going to classes regularly, and eventually began teaching.

While in DC, Matt completed a 200-hour teacher training course at Georgetown Yoga, also the first place he taught and his home studio for years. He has worked with amazing teachers, but his biggest yoga influence these days is renowned Ashtangi David Swenson. Early on, Matt traveled to Vermont to take a 40-hour training with Swenson, and since has taken another 200 hours of training with him. Matt takes every opportunity to study with great teachers, including Manju Jois, Beryl Birch, and Srivatsa Ramaswami, and he encourages his own students to take advantage of the master teachers who visit Yoga Yoga.

Matt strives to teach his classes as though each student were in a private lesson. He has a natural curiosity about how people experience yoga, and is eager to help students find the proper modifications for each posture. Class is fun and lighthearted, with a bit of laughter mixed in with hard work and deep concentration.

Coming to yoga has been a transformative experience in Matt’s life. Whatever brings you to class - a good workout, time to relax, or a spiritual connection – you will probably get more than you bargained for. For Matt, teaching yoga is a natural extension of his practice. His students are his greatest teachers, ever pushing him to refine and clarify the challenges that face a yogi at any stage of the game.

Yoga led Matt to study Buddhist philosophy. He incorporates Buddhist principles into his daily life, and yoga practice. When he isn’t teaching, Matt enjoys rock climbing, traveling, reading, two steppin’, and hanging out with his awesome wife and two awesome cats.

Recommended by Matt:

Ashtanga Practice Manual, by David Swenson
Health,Healing and Beyond, by Desikachar
The Heart of Yoga, by Lama Surya Das
Awakening the Buddha Within, by Lama Surya Das

"The gentle spring rain permeates the soil of my soul. A seed that has lain deeply in the earth for many years just smiles." -Thich Nhat Hanh