Aimee Echo is the owner and primary teacher at Community Yoga Club, home of Ashtanga Yoga Long Beach, where she runs her daily Mysore-style Ashtanga Yoga Program, teaches chanting, Yoga Philosophy and offers Individual Yoga Therapy.
With decades of study in the Krishnamacharya lineage of both Ashtanga Yoga and Viniyoga, she is a trained Yoga Therapist and SYC/KPJAYI authorized level 2 Ashtanga Yoga Teacher. She also holds certifications in Massage Therapy, Health and Nutrition Coaching, Weight Neutral and Diet Recovery Coaching.
She is the creator of the Yoga of Food & Body Respect, a yoga therapy program for folks looking for recovery from disordered relationships with food and body.
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Here’s the conference that we do after lead class
Today on The Heartbreak Kids, I’m talking with someone I’ve known for a long time—Tara, a friend I met in Mysore many years ago. Back then, we were both deep in the grind, showing up every day, learning, struggling, growing. And over the years, Tara has continued to build on that foundation with an incredible depth of knowledge and experience.
She’s one of those people who lives and breathes the practice—not just the asana, but the philosophy, the discipline, the inner work. I’ve always admired the way she shows up—authentic, sharp, and fully present.
I’m excited to dig into this conversation with her. We’re going to talk about yoga, life, practice, and everything in between.
This conference happened after our Friday led class on May 2 2025
We just came off of an amazing Collective practice week. 50 people from around the world came to Savannah and we finished it off with this discussion
Welcome to the next edition of the Heart Break kids. Tashi has been a student for a few years and I’ve seen amazing transformation and I’m super excited to have her on the show.
John Klarer is back on The Heartbreak Kids Podcast.
He’s a longtime student, friend, and someone who’s done the real work—on and off the mat.
A lot has changed since the last time he was on, and in this episode, we get into what that transformation has looked like.
This one’s honest, powerful, and a reminder that the practice works when you do.
Trigger warning! This episode is a conference that I did in person March 21, 2025 I share my story and there is some graphic content. We host a conference after every lead class that I teach.
Thank you for joining today. I hope you enjoy.
Season Premiere: Kino MacGregor & Tim Feldmann on The Heartbreak Kids Podcast
The new season of The Heartbreak Kids starts with a conversation that the entire Ashtanga community needs to hear. I sat down with Kino MacGregor and Tim Feldmann, two longtime teachers, world travelers, and Certified Ashtanga teachers who have dedicated their lives to this practice.
We’re diving into everything—from the discipline and devotion it takes to stick with this method to the changes and challenges the community is facing today. We’ll talk about Sharath Jois’ passing, the impact of his legacy, and the controversy surrounding the newly certified teachers. What does it mean for the future of Ashtanga? Where do we go from here? And how do we honor the tradition while moving forward in a way that serves everyone?
This is a conversation about more than just yoga—it’s about community, leadership, and the responsibility we all have as practitioners. Don’t miss this one.
The Heartbreak Kids Podcast is Back!
We’re kicking off a brand-new season of The Heartbreak Kids, and trust me, you don’t want to miss this one. I’ve got an incredible lineup of guests—people who live and breathe Ashtanga Yoga, who have been through the fire and come out the other side. We’re diving deep into why we practice, how this discipline shapes our lives, and what keeps us coming back to the mat even when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.
But it’s not just about yoga poses and philosophy—we’re tackling real-life topics, current events, and the raw, unfiltered truths that come with this practice. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or just Ashtanga-curious, this season is packed with conversations that will challenge, inspire, and maybe even call you out a little.
New episodes drop soon. Get ready.
Joseph Armstrong is an Authorized level 2 teacher of Ashtanga Yoga. He teaches yoga with feet planted firmly in tradition and gaze turned towards the future. His search for a more present and peaceful life first led him to the practice in 2008. A few years later he was in India, studying intensively.
After finally overcoming a long struggle with addiction, Joseph began experimenting with Ashtanga Yoga. He understood quickly that the lineage was calling to him to deepen his practice. He underwent a 2 year apprenticeship program at the world renowned Miami Life Center, continuing his education under his teachers Tim Feldmann and Kino MacGregor. In 2016 he completed 2 months of study in Mysore under Sharath Jois. 2017 brought Joseph to Guatemala where he taught Mysore Style for over a year while also traveling and giving workshops in Europe and the Americas. 2019 brought him back to Miami and his yoga family at MLC.
Joseph teaches yoga because attempts to do any and everything else ended disastrously. But when he finally devoted himself to his passion, he became an asset to himself and others. He hopes his practice allows him to be ever more loving and to exist gently.
Michael Baidoo, also known as @Bay_Jitsu began a practice during the Covid pandemic that brought a new change into his personal life. After
being furloughed then let go from his former job, Michael received advice and guidance from his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Sensei Josh Griffiths. Waking up at 5 am in the morning to practice one of the most difficult styles of yoga, Ashtanga. Using Instagram as a tool of communicating
not only with friends but others who also practices Ashtanga yoga as well to build a community of positivity and wellness.
Scott Johnson has over 17 years of experience with Ashtanga Yoga. He is the co-founder and director at Stillpoint Yoga London which he established in 2009. Scott has taught Ashtanga Yoga there almost daily since Stillpoint opened. He was introduced to the practice of Ashtanga yoga by John Scott in 2002 and has studied deeply with him, Lucy Crawford and Manju Jois since then, dedicating himself to the practice while working and raising a family.
He is authorised to teach the primary and intermediate series of ashtanga yoga by Manju Jois and has a deep connection to the ancient practices of pranayama and vedic chanting that Manju shares. Scott has also undergone extensive Mindfulness training under the tutelage of Cathy Mae Keralse at Clear Mind International, gaining their level 3 certificate in Mindfulness and Compassion.
Scott is co-founder and one of the directors of Amāyu Yoga (est. 2018), a first of its kind organisation dedicated to educating Ashtanga teachers around power dynamics and consent driven, student centred approaches to the teaching and practice of Ashtanga Yoga.
Scott teaches with encouragement, insight and integrity to the teachings of yoga and mindfulness that he has had access to. His deep love of the contemplative side of these practice creates a rich, nurturing environment and he is deeply dedicated to the healing power of yoga and mindfulness in the people that he is fortunate to meet. His devotion and dedication to these practices assists practitioners in discovering how contemplative practice can unfold not only personally on the mat, but also find meaning in the wider context of daily life.
Mariana Andre is an Ashtanga Yoga practitioner in Brazil who started a brand named The 4am Culture.
After graduating in Naturopath she became more focused into her practice and started teaching a Mysore program in Samatva School in Florianópolis which is one of the biggest community of Ashtanga in Brazil.
Her passion for the practice and martial arts has brought her into a place of sharing her experiences with other people and encouraging her to open her own business of clothing and lifestyle.
Connect with Mariana:
