My Approach to the Practice of Yoga
My classes are informed by an intelligent combination of lineages, as I prefer to avoid the confines of operating within any single yoga method. Read more about my approach!
About Me
A Unique Approach to Vinyasa Yoga
I grew up in the heart of Washington DC, immersed in the punk and hardcore music subculture of the 80s and 90s, surrounded by independent thought and do-it-yourself ethics. I was also introduced to vegetarianism and yoga philosophy through that same music scene.
By the age of 30 I was living in Las Vegas, working long hours in the fast-paced mortgage industry and spending a little too much time at casino poker tables. I eventually hired a personal trainer who helped me internalize the importance of diet, sleep, exercise, posture, and a positive attitude. After that, it didn’t take long for me to stumble into the local yoga studio where I was enamored by the community, practice, and philosophy.
I’ve been on a steady journey practicing and studying yoga since 2006 – moving through different stages of proficiency and confidence, bouncing around between various methods, learning from a wide range of teachers, and consistently re-evaluating what yoga means to me.
When I’m not teaching yoga, you can find me navigating the peaks and valleys of marriage and fatherhood, aspiring to become a better cook, and maybe even listening to some reggae music while I fantasize about summertime on Martha’s Vineyard. I also work full-time as a marketing professional in the tech industry. I have an undergraduate degree in business from Northeastern University and an MBA from Babson College.
What you can expect from my classes
I first noticed the tangible benefits of yoga when I realized I felt much better after taking a class then I did beforehand. Whenever I’ve had a tough decision to make or if I just feel overwhelmed, setting aside time to practice yoga has consistently helped improve my outlook and decision-making. I always lead my classes with that primary objective in mind – to have you exit in a better place physically and energetically compared to when you entered.
The beauty of vinyasa yoga is that it includes ample space for innovation. My personal expression of vinyasa yoga is informed by an assortment of yoga methods – including Ashtanga, Anusara, Iyengar, and Yin. No matter what type of class I’m teaching, you can expect thoughtful instruction with steady and deliberate movement, balanced with plenty of time for stillness. Creativity is important to me, so you should anticipate a very different experience from one week to the next. My sequences include unique variations and transitions, and my classes are also slightly slower compared to many vinyasa classes, which can actually be more challenging than rapid movement – enabling you to really explore the depth of each posture. My teaching is heavily influenced by Nikki Vilella and my Boston Yoga School co-pilot Ame Wren.
I love challenging, sweaty flow classes, and typically there are an expected set of poses and movements to get your body moving. Ben’s class has all the things you might wish for, but in addition, he is masterful at guiding you step-by-step into some unique pose that your body has never experienced. He brings a level of creativity to his teaching that makes each class new and different. He does it with patience, grace, and the right dose of humor, recognizing that each student will achieve what is right for them. As a new yogi (I’ve only been practicing for a year), I have always felt welcome and challenged, but never overwhelmed.
- Sarah Spitz