SFist Interviews Brian Monnier of Yogic Motion
Those of us you who live or work near the Nob Hill/Russian Hill/Chinatown area are conveniently located near the biggest-bang-for-your-buck yoga in town. Yogic Motion's intro offer of $20 for 30 days of unlimited yoga is impossible to resist and a very smart tactic. "Everyone can go to the ATM and withdraw a twenty," explained Yogic Motion owner Brian Monnier. And for that $20 you can do yoga every day for a month. Then you will be hopelessly hooked.
And hey, we gotta giveaway too. Start off your new year right and enter to win a free month of unlimited classes at Yogic Motion.
By SFist Leanne
How long have you been doing yoga? Teaching?
I have been practicing since 1999. I have been teaching full time (20 plus classes a week) since 2000.
How did your health/outlook change when you got into yoga?
Completely, I come from a family with lots of health issues. When I started doing yoga I lost nearly 40 pounds and my overall health improved greatly. I stopped smoking, drinking to excess and eating poorly. My energy level went up and I have never felt so healthy!
Who are some Interesting people you've done yoga with?
My teacher Tony Sanchez is one. Yamuna Sake is another she is an amazing Yogini/bodyworker. Both totally changed my life.
What makes the type of yoga you teach unique from the other practices
in town?
The yoga system I teach from is what is known as the 84 classic asanas. Unlike
many of the other studios, it is not a flow system but one of held positions. I don't focus just on the sun salutation or downward dogs all class. It can be done by anyone regardless of skill or physical limitations. That is the beauty of the system. It can be broken down and modified to accommodate the needs of the practitioner.
Tell us about a couple of memorable students you've had through the years.
I have had many! One that sticks out is Bee. She took my class when I was working at Body Tonic. At the time she was in her 60's and was a spit fire. She was having some vision issues and during class I asked what they where. She responded
"I think it was all the great grass I smoked in the 60-80's!" The class needless to say turned into teenagers and totally lost it in laughter.
Do you have any words of advice/inspiration for newbies who want to take
up yoga?
Go slow at first; learn the proper alignment of whatever yoga you are doing.
Start with 2-3 times a week and build good habits. Shop around for a class you like, look for a teacher you really connect with. Try all of the intro offers at the studios in your area. Also don't forget about the gyms. Many offer decent yoga.
Any advice for aspiring yoga instructors?
Stop being a workshop and teacher training junkie! There is a power in focus. Stay with one teacher for many years and practice hard. Expect to teach 15-20 classes a week to survive as a full time teacher. Also when you start don't be picky about jobs. Life as a yoga instructor is not easy you will be lucky to get enough work to make it in the beginning. Keep teaching and learning. Read more about how the body works than about philosophy. If you are working only in the city, get a scooter. Best and fastest to get around in the city. You can also park anywhere without getting a ticket.
Name
Brian Monnier
Introduce yourself in one sentence
The man with the plan, the tower of power, the master of disaster!
Age and Occupation
33, Yoga teacher
Home Town
Santa Barbara, CA
How long have you lived in the Bay Area and Where (city, neighborhood etc.) and WHY?
Been in San Francisco 13 years and proudly living in Nob hill area! I love the Nob/Russian hill you can get anywhere in the city from here!
Favorite place to spend time online (website/blog/RSS feeds)
SFist.com and Yelp.com
Favorite local business
Other then mine? It’s a tie between the Chameleon café and the Bell tower.
What I'm currently Reading
Angels and Demons by Dan Brown and How to Eat Move and Be Healthy by Paul Chek.
Best Deal in San Francisco
$20 for 30 days of unlimited yoga at Yogic Motion!
Favorite mode of transportation
My scooter, best way to travel in the city, except when it rains.
Best Band or Musician to come out of the Bay Area
I was always found of Tommy Castro and Fillmore Slim those guys could Jam the blues!
Favorite Bay Area Stereotype, and whether or not you buy into it
Marina people suck.
Favorite local hangout_Bell tower, Olive, Wasabi and Ginger
SF has the BEST_Food and wine!!!!
You've never lived in SF until_you experience gay pride and the Folsom street fair _
Favorite Bay area politician of past or present_I was told there would be no math and politics!
Now that Mayor Gavin is single, who are you going to set him up with?
I pass, but more then likely someone very scandalous. I love scandals!
You can tell someone is a local here_By how they walk downtown and how they drive in the city!
SF would be soooo much better if only_If it wasn’t SO DAMN EXPENSIVE!
Best Burrito_La Taqueria in the Mission
Best Restaurant_Gary Danko
Best movie scene filmed in or about SF
The Chase seen in Bullet
Place you always tell visitors to check out
Usually restaurants, hmm let’s Isa on Steiner, 1550 Hyde on Hyde st. R&G lounge in Chinatown, the list is endless
Favorite Bridge in the area
The Bay Bridge, how long does it take to build a bridge?
You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in SF, what are you going to do?
Go to the Borders, grab a gossip mag and sit at the Hidden Vine on Post st have a lovely glass of red!
I have found/sold/bought the following on craigslist
Bought my scooter, found my apartments, bought a total gym, advertise my studio on it. Craigslist ROCKS!
I want all the SFists out there to know
That which does not kill you will only make you stronger