The Art of the Vinyasa

When I moved back to Phoenix in 2014, I was curious to see how the art of the vinyasa would be led out in the desert. Having moved from Encinitas, the OM capital of the United States and home to Yogananda’s Self Realization center, I was curios if the current flavor of yoga would live up to such rich roots. Nonetheless, it was in this state where my yoga journey had began in 2001 but our beloved At One Yoga had long since closed and my mind, body and soul craved the continuity of a deep practice. That’s when I discovered yoga with Anton and not only did it inform and inspire a new love for yoga but pushed it beyond the boundaries of where I had been comfortable practicing for over ten years. What really resonated for me was the highly informed sequencing, which to me, is the marker of what can take a good teacher to great. His sequences weren’t just challenging, but felt like a dance and left your body humming. The sequencing kept your mind engaged, while the body was lured into a rhythm that magically opened it. By the end of a 75-minute class you were both exhilarated and exhausted, having reached new places in your practice without the struggle to stay focused. Not only did it feel good but it was fun and created a bond of shared experience with the familiar faces that kept coming back for more.

It’s my pleasure to share our interview with a beloved teacher to so many, Anton Mackey.

Kim: Anton, you’ve been teaching yoga and leading teacher trainings for over 15 years now, can you share with our community a little bit about how yoga found you and why you decided to become a teacher?

Anton: I found yoga looking for stress relief. I was under a lot of stress because of a situation I put myself in, in yoga I found a place where my mind could stop racing and felt something in my body and soul that I had been searching for my whole life. There were several teachers that inspired me and with a background in physical education and exercise science, (I had been training athletes and guiding group fitness), it was a natural transition to teach the practice of yoga. I began my teacher training, just six months into my own practice. Once I became certified, I began teaching more and more, and brought my knowledge of anatomy to many yoga teacher training programs early on. I currently teach for multiple yoga teacher training programs.

Kim: What aspect of teaching do you enjoy the most and what do you find the most challenging?

Anton: I love curating experiences that weave mindset principles into the teaching of the physical yoga practice. What I most enjoy is helping teachers become the best versions of themselves by giving them the tips and golden nuggest I’ve learned over the past 15 years.

Kim: You are known for your creative and intelligently sequenced vinyasa flows. What do you believe is the most important aspect to sequencing? 

Anton: Understanding musculoskeletal anatomy, biomechanics, and joint positioning. I also believe it’s important to have a clear intention on where the sequence is going, and what I am aiming for the students to feel and experience.

Kim: What keeps you motivated to continue to evolve your class, sequencing and own practice?

Anton: The desire to keep students engaged, & challenged

Kim: What’s one thing you wish your students would know about the practice that seems commonly misunderstood?

Anton: You don’t have to be flexible, in fact, I believe it’s more important to gain stability through the physical yoga practice. Stirha & Sukham (Steadiness & Ease) are major principles in the practice and as you can see steadiness (stability) is first!

Kim: With the rise of corporate yoga studios quickly outpacing independent studios, where do you see the future of yoga in the US going? What do you think are some of the potential advantages or pitfalls of it becoming a modern mainstream “workout”?

Anton: At this point my thought is “whatever gets them on the mat”… it’s impossible not to reap the mental & emotional benefits of yoga no matter where you are or how you’re doing it (of course some ways will focus on the mental and emotional part more). This reminds me to have greater acceptance for where everyone is at on their journey. Eventually if they are willing and ready they will seek a studio or teacher who offers something deeper.

Kim: What yoga sutra or philosophy do you think our world is in most need of today?

Anton: I’ll go back to Sthira & Sukham. The world is unstable and overly reactive. These principles teach us to be more physically, mentally and emotionally stable so that we can have greater emotional maturity thus taking greater ownership for our feelings and emotions and not projecting them outward on to the world around us.

Kim: Your also a mindset coach, who is your ideal client and how can the benefit from consciously curating their routines and thought patterns?

Anton: My ideal client is a new husband and father. I have gained so much experience on how to navigate life in a devoted relationship and as a dedicated father.

Kim: You also have a patron account where students can enjoy your sequencing and flows right from the comfort of their own home. Where can people join and if they are new to your class, where do you advise them to begin?

Anton: Go to my website and “practice with me”. I update the site with content every other week. I also have a great online course that has over 25 videos breaking down the anatomical alignment of over 30 common yoga poses (Anatomy of Asana also located on my website) Antonyoga.com

Kim: Lastly, what’s your personal favorite yoga pose and why?

Anton: Most people would think Goddess, that’s my favorite to guide students through, by my favorite is Tikinasna, Triangle pose. I love the stretch I get and how it becomes more beneficial the more engaged you are in it, as well as the focus it brings to stay in the alignment.

Anton’s Background: Anton Mackey is a Devoted Son, Father and Husband. He has been on a journey of self mastery and spiritual exploration for as long as he can remember. Inspired by physical fitness at a young age, Anton received his degree in Exercise Science & Physical Education and has been teaching yoga for over 15 years. He has become a teacher of teachers and has had the privileged of traveling around the globe teaching at studios, festivals, and retreat centers. He is a men’s work facilitator with Sacred Son’s & has created his own Mindset Coaching program, empowering others to take greater responsibility for their lives, and inspiring them to live with greater awareness, presence, & intention.