Meet Yoga Instructor Andrea Mateus

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey?
Yoga crossed my path 9 years ago when I was seeking balance and a way to work on my mental health. Ever since, it has become my lifestyle on and off the mat. I have been an advocate of empathy, and yoga has been the medium in which I can share this ideology. 

Where did you grow up, and where do you call home now? 
I am from Bogota, Colombia, but I have lived in six different cities around the world in the past ten years. However, NYC and Bogota are the only two places I call home now. 

What’s something most people don’t know about you? 
How eager I am to learn, as in I would love to stay in school for as long as possible, and learn everything from yoga practice to how to bake vegan treats. When it comes to learning, I have no preferences. 

What’s the first thing you do in the morning? 
Hug my cat and my husband and get ready to work out! 

Are there any daily rituals that keep you grounded?
Yoga is undoubtedly my most daily grounding ritual, but I also practice gratitude about everything in my life, no matter the situation.

Who inspires you? 
Nature.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
My dad's advice: “Treat everyone the same way, no matter their social status, gender, country of origin...All humans deserve respect, love and empathy.”

What book changed the way you think?
Aleph by Paulo Coelho, specifically this phrase: "Life is the train and not the station."

What mantra do you live by?
Where is the other person coming from? Basically thinking of (whether I agree or not) what the context is and where a person's perspective is coming from. This is key for empathy and communication. 

What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness is the process of searching for physical, mental, and spiritual mindfulness.