We sat down with Trailblazer and yoga teacher Andrea Marcum, who is the proud owner of U Studio Yoga in Los Angeles. Originally from Santa Cruz, California, Marcum is big on weaving philosophy, sweat and laughter into her classes. She offers classes on My Yoga Online and has been featured in Shape, NFL Network, L.A. Times, Huff Post and Self. This ambassador for lululemon and contributor to Mantra Magazine, Origin and Gaiam will be teaching at Wanderlust Yoga in the City Los Angeles and Wanderlust Aspen-Snowmass.
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: I lost my dad this past October, and his passing really made me look at what I’m up to right now, right this minute while I’m still here. He dedicated his life to education and to causes like anti-apartheid in Africa. He lived the example that progressive global shifts begin within each of us individually. As I grow up I want to make sure I water seeds that blossom into significant and sustainable beauty.
Q: What did your child self want to be when you grew up?
A: A Fairy Princess. At my Montessori school I dressed up in Fairy Princess costumes and sang at the top of my lungs on the swing set while the rest of my class was inside learning sensible math skills. I guess in a way that’s what I’m still doing…
Q: What’s your personal theme song?
Q: What is your biggest fear?
A: Fear
Q: What is your favorite yoga pose?
A: Savasana – I’m a total type A, and I’ve learned more from my time in savasana than any other pose, hands down.
Q: What is your least favorite yoga pose?
A: Pavritta bakasana (revolved crow) – I’ve tried to embrace it, but it feels like I’m giving myself a Charlie horse, and I find that hard to enjoy.
Q: What is the most embarrassing moment as a teacher of your craft?
A: The first class I taught, I called virabhadrasana “beeradrasa” which would have been perfect if we were at Oktoberfest … but as the student who busted me reminded me, we were at Meridian gym.
Q: What do you love about what you do?
A: Building community. It’s the most amazing thing to witness people commune at my studio. In fact, U Studio is named after the Unity and commUnity that built it. That interconnection in the midst of a disparate and sometimes callous city fills my heart in ways that are hard to describe without sounding totally sappy.
Q: What challenges you about what you do?
A: Actually the challenge is part of the love. Staying true to what matters is like staying in a pose or meditation. I may not love every moment while I’m in it, but what I glean from breathing through it reminds me that the challenge is the pot of gold.