Life & Work with Irie Lott

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Irie Lott.

Hi Irie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a registered nurse (RN) of over twenty years, a nurse educator, and a certified yoga instructor (RYT-200). I hope to share space and energy with others as we journey toward a more just, peaceful, and healthy community.

My yoga journey began in 2009 after carrying my first two ten and 9-pound babies and associated c-sections in a 2-year span. The strain on my body felt almost irreparable! On the suggestion of a physician, I began practicing at a yoga studio to regain core strength and improve posture, and I fell in love with the depth and beauty of all that yoga had to offer beyond the physical. I have been a yoga student ever since!

I felt inspired to become a yoga instructor after practicing for eight years and feeling like I had hit a plateau. I wanted more from each class I was in, and I wanted to know more about the diversity of yoga practice. It took almost three years before things aligned in my life to allow me to commit to completing 200 hours of training in 10 weeks while working and managing a household. In November 2019, I finally achieved my goal of becoming a certified yoga instructor, and I began teaching immediately.

By March 2020, when all the studios abruptly closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my teaching was abruptly cut off. At that time, I was a yoga instructor at four different studios, teaching as often as I could between working my “day job” to gain experience and comfortability in my new role. As tragic as the pandemic was on so many levels, this time proved to be a blessing for my yoga practice and teaching. Forced out of the studios, my bedroom, basement, deck, and parks became my new yoga spaces, where I learned to tap into a creative spirit I didn’t quite know existed.

My daily, solo personal practice became foundational to my triad of physical, mental, and emotional health. I started a donation-based Yoga in the Park class in the summer of 2020 with a few close friends and family who wanted to practice but didn’t have a space to do so safely. This class continues, has evolved, and eventually was the inspiration that led me back to teaching in the studio in 2022.

In June 2020, I channeled my outrage and helplessness surrounding the murder of George Floyd by co-organizing and leading a donation-based, outdoor Juneteenth sunset yoga flow to raise consciousness and funds for the racial justice movement in her community.

The event was attended by over 100 people, some of whom had not socialized or left their homes for non-essential reasons in months but were called to be a part of this occasion! In May 2021, I co-organized and led a donation-based, 4-hour event in collaboration with multiple Lansing-area yoga studios and teachers to raise money for India during its second wave of the COVID crisis.

I spent over two years practicing on my own, teaching outside or over Zoom, and evolving my yoga mission to one that was more holistic, intentional, and focused on meeting each person where they are. I currently lead 2 to 3 studio classes per week, along with my weekly donation-based group class.

I provide private one-on-one instruction as well as individualized group instruction for middle school & high school groups & sports teams, businesses, and local community groups.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
No road is ever smooth, especially here in Michigan!

The journey to achieve my teaching certification was longer than I would have hoped. I wanted to join teacher training in 2016, but didn’t end up making my way there until fall of 2019. I had to learn patience with life, how to prioritize family while still centering my own desires, and how to trust God’s plan for my life.

Three months after I finally achieved my goal of becoming a yoga instructor, I was teaching several times a week in multiple spaces when the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly put it all to a halt.

The studios in my area were not very diverse, especially during the early part of my yoga life. I never felt truly at home or settled in any of the studios. I continued to go and stay committed to my practice and the things I wanted to achieve, but there was a lack of real connection. And a lack of people who looked like me.

There also seemed to be a naivety about this among some of the studio owners and regular clients.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a registered nurse (RN) of over 20 years, a nurse educator, and a certified yoga instructor (RYT-200) hoping to share space and energy with others as we journey toward a more just, peaceful, and healthy community.

My mission in serving patients, students, and yoga practitioners is to cultivate healthy living and wellness in body, mind, and spirit. My numerous years working in healthcare & adult higher education, along with my personal yoga practice, have given me a unique and multi-faceted approach to yoga instruction. I hope to empower everyone I meet in the classroom, patient room, yoga studio, or community to be proactive advocates for their own health and quality of life through mindful, holistic practices.

Irie Yoga teaches the practice of conscious breath and intentional movement to calm the mind, engage the spirit, and build physical strength from the inside out. Drawing on the foundations of Ashtanga Yoga, I offer individualized yoga experiences for all body types and abilities with a focus on functional mobility and core strength. During yoga practice with me, participants are encouraged to develop a deeper sense of self-awareness, acceptance of where they are in each moment, and understanding of how their yoga practice can translate into other aspects of everyday life.

Functional movement & core strength are the foundations of the classes I structure. We are all as young as we’ll ever be, and our bodies require care and maintenance not for vanity but for function and to prevent injury. In my classes you can expect attention to breath, grounding & centering throughout; focus on alignment, building strength through transitions, providing intention in each movement, long holds combined with dynamic movement, and curated playlists to inspire and energize!

What was your favorite childhood memory?
As an only child of a single mother, who lived below the poverty line in crappy apartments for the majority of her childhood, my favorite memories were the times I spent at my grandparents’ house in the country.

They had 26 acres, a pond, a stream running through their property, and woods with defined trails where my cousins and I played for hours. This is where I learned to appreciate nature, quiet, and the freedom to explore.

Pricing:

• The studio I teach at is Firefly Hot Yoga Barre. A drop-in class is $20, but we currently offer one free class to new students, and there is a 2-week unlimited trial for $25.
• Irie Yoga offers a weekly donation-based class. It is free to attend, but any donations are mostly sent to local charities that I value.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.iriemyoga.com
• Instagram: @irielottyoga

Image Credits
Liz Silky Photography