I’M CURIOUS BUT…

My name is Chris Byrne (he/him). I am a sasquatchian-sized, weekend warrior slow runner who loves hiking throughout Maine and New Hampshire, walking and biking around Biddeford, and watching the tide roll in and out while exploring the coast of Maine.

My classes invite participants to seek and nurture that connection using intentional movement, awareness of breath, and meditation. I offer classes that are accessible for all bodies, abilities, financial circumstances, and life experiences.

I encourage you to find the shape or posture that feels right for you in the moment. Together we’ll practice the skill of compassionate curiosity, observation and acceptance, and intentional engagement and response.

Sign Up For a Class In-Studio, Live Online, or at the beach here

Learn more about me here

Let’s be honest… Who does? (HA!)

Seriously though, I get it. It is difficult to know where to start. Don’t worry! You don’t have to. That’s why I am here. And why there is never any pressure or expectation to be anyone or anything more than you are in this moment, right now.

The practices of yoga and mindfulness are frameworks for living a life of balance and unity both within yourself - your spirit, heart, mind, and body - and with your connection to the world around you. These practices have been around for 1000s of years and are deep and complex and beautiful and accessible. And even the great scholars and teachers will acknowledge that the wisdom of the practice already lives with in each of us. So there’s nothing new to discover or learn!

When it comes to joining a class for practice, be it online or in-person, you will be gently guided through the experience. I offer a lot of verbal cues, reminders, variations, and invitations to notice differences from shape to shape and movement to movement. I also usually demo the shape or sequence at the same time to help guide anyone who is unsure.

Ultimately there is no right or wrong way to experience the physical practice of yoga. There is only your experience and how you choose to move through it. Anything I offer or suggest is merely one idea of many. Have faith in the wisdom and knowledge that lives in your body, heart, and spirit to guide you through what you need in your practice.

Check the schedule and sign-up here.

There are as many reasons why you may not feel like you belong in a yoga class as there are individual people and their unique life experiences. All of them are valid. I can’t possibly address all of them.

Sexism, classism, homophobia, racism, ableism, transphobia, ageism… all of these things intersect and exist in the yoga, fitness, and wellness communities. These are perpetuated through depictions of “what yoga is” on social media and in pop-culture. They are perpetuated through bad actors or ignorance. I am a white, heterosexual, cisgender, male from a middleclass background. There is a lot of struggle, pain, and challenge in the world that my own privilege has shielded me from.

This is why my most solemn and sacred responsibility as a teacher is to ensure all people are welcomed and feel safe to practice yoga, movement, and mindfulness. Your story matters. Who you are matters. Your experience matters. It is likely that you have had to overcome adversity that I will never know about or could possibly understand. The fact that you are here in this moment is a pretty radical and amazing miracle. That is a responsibility that I take seriously.

My style and approach may not match what you are looking for in a teacher. The practice of yoga is a personal experience. If what I offer doesn’t fit your needs, let me know. I’m pretty well connected in Southern Maine and I am more than happy to try and connect you with someone who can support you in the way that you need.

You can read more about my mission and principles here

We can all do better to support each other. We can all be better in how we respond to and engage with others. If there is something you need from me, please let me know. I can always do better for you.

In Southern Maine, drop-in prices for yoga classes are averaging, and sometimes exceeding, $20 per class. Studios often will provide offers discounted classes through class packages or memberships. These often exceed $100 and range as much as $200 per month. Some memberships also require long term commitments.

However this can create a real hardship and barrier to maintaining a sustained practice. This also contributes to the perception that the practice of yoga is only for affluent individuals.

To be clear, there are a lot of costs that need to be covered for brick and mortar studios. When the idea of running a business and leaning into the practice of yoga collide it is uncomfortable. The challenge for yoga teachers and studio owners is how to balance that. Most standard business models for yoga teachers puts the focus on the mechanics of a business. That brings a mindset and decisions set in perceptions of scarcity, fear, territorialism, and consumerism. That is the antithesis of yoga.

My mission is one of inclusivity, accessibility and service. The practice of yoga does not belong to anyone person or studio. The traditions, wisdom, and practice that we share should be accessible to everyone with all types abilities, backgrounds and life experiences. I strive to partner with studios that allow flexibility and accessibility for signing up with my sliding scale offerings. I also look to lead classes in locations in different settings that allow the flexibility of meeting you where you are.

I’ve listed my classes at $20 per class. Workshops will vary. That is because at the end of the day it is significant investment in training, time, and overhead to maintain offering classes. However my intention is that no one will ever be turned away due to lack of funds. Every class and workshop that I offer includes different codes to self-select a price point that fits where you are.

I also do not offer memberships or class packages because I do not want to lock anyone into a large investment or make people feel like they have to make a long-term commitment to only my classes. That does not support equanimity, balance, community, or accessibly. Join when you want. Join me when you can. You are always welcome.

Not to be too blunt or dismissive, but welcome to the club!

Social Media and pop-culture have made us all believe that you have to be able to wrap yourself into a pretzel to practice yoga. That the practice is only physical in nature and is a quest to constantly improve and be better and to achieve some sort of hierarchy of accomplishment.

First of all - that’s bullshit. The practice of yoga is so much more than postures. Though in these classes we use postures to help invite awareness, navigate discomfort, and challenge our perceptions. And sure - there’s physical benefit such as building strength, improving mobility or flexibility over time.

There is no such thing as a perfect shape or posture. There is no end goal or finish line. Maybe there are different intentions, or variations to explore... but that’s it. One is not better than another. A “peak” pose (gross language!) for you maybe easier for someone else. What is easy for them may be different for you.

Secondly - Everyone’s bodies are different. We all have different biology, life experiences, and physical and cognitive abilities. To compare each other using a practice that supports the union and balance of our your whole self - body, mind, heart, and spirit - is a disservice to you, the other person, and is not what yoga is about.

We’re all different. That is what makes all of us so special and the community around us a beautiful, joyful, and vibrant thing. And, that is why it is important to practice with teachers who honor your difference and not force or demand that you follow their specific approahereches.

This is YOUR practice. Not mine. Not anyone else’s.

Sign up for classes here.

This is a huge misconception based off a combination of things - mostly the same pop culture, social media dominant voices that drive a lot of misconception about who can “do” yoga practices. On top of that a lot of studios or gyms or fitness centers use the physical postures of yoga as a means to work out. So maybe you’ve been to a place that they move really fast, or have have really challenging sequences and shapes. it is a grievous disservice that this is the dominant perception of the yoga practice.

It is also, not what I offer. I approach all of my classes through a lens of accessibility. This means a wide variety of variations for different shapes. This means gentle pacing and easing into out of sequences. It doesn’t mean that you won’t work hard, if that is what you are looking for! Have you tried to slow down your movement? It is not as easy it looks.

What it does mean is that everything is invitational and optional. I offer suggestions and guidance with a loose intention or idea. But that’s just my thought and idea.

Every moment of every practice is owned and driven by YOU. Your edge of comfort. Your belief in your ability. What feels accessible and sustainable by you. If you don’t want to do something - don’t! If you want to try something else, have at it! YOU know what works best for you. YOU know what is safe and sustainable for your body. YOU are your own best teacher and guide. This is YOUR yoga practice.

Lastly - and by far most importantly - you are capable of far more than what you believe you are. Your presence is a gift. Your resilieance is a miracle. Your body, mind, and heart and have got you through 100% of your worst moments through grace and grit. You are so much stronger than you know.

Check the schedule and sign up here.

It’s all good! Every concern, question, pause, hesitation, etc. is to be expected! The practice of yoga means different things to different people. This is one reason why you’ll see so many varieties of offerings. And when you talk to people, there are as many opinions, thoughts, and ideas as there are unique people and experiences.

If you want to check in before signing up for a class, go ahead and send me a note! I absolutely LOVE talking about yoga. I may not always know the immediate answer and certainly my thoughts are limited to my own perspective honed through study and personal experience. But if you questions, concerns, fears, or worries about practicing I want to know about them. If I can help you in any way shape or form, that makes me so happy.

Questions about class experience, what to expect, availability, what different postures are, how you can fit yoga into your life, about teaching style, where to go, what to do, other resources where you can learn more on your own… anything.

How can I help?

Do not hesitate to reach out. Send me a note here.