Justin Reilley is teaching at Wanderlust Yoga in the City Philadelphia on June 7. Registration is free, but space is limited. Sign up!
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Wanderlust: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Justin Reilley: Funny you should ask! I posted on facebook a while ago that I finally knew! I want to be a Spartan warrior! I just watched The Rise of the 300 and I was so pumped! Spartans are just flat out bad ass!!
WL: What did your child self want to be when you grew up?
JR: My child self wanted to be a pro-skateboarder. I started skating when I was really small.
WL: Your personal theme song?
JR: Rose Tattoo by Dropkick Murphys
WL: What is your biggest fear?
JR: Sharks. I want to surf so badly but I’m so scared of what is under the water!
WL: What is your favorite yoga pose?
JR: Handstand (big surprise I know!). It has taken me a long time to learn it and refine it. It taught me to be patient, confident, and to let go of any attachments. It has been one of my best teachers.
WL: What has been your most embarrassing moment as yoga student?
JR: Falling straight on my face in a room of more than 40 people trying to go to chaturanga from handstand. I was still new to yoga and I couldn’t handstand well yet, obviously. It made a terrible sound!
WL: What has been your most embarrassing moment as a yoga teacher?
JR: I don’t know if I have a most embarrassing moment as a teacher because I’m constantly doing it! I forget sides, get students names wrong, forget poses, and last week as I was doing a mantra I forgot it mid line! I do it 11 times a week at least and I forgot it.
WL: What do you love about what you do?
JR: I love my job so much. There are so many reasons why. I love to inspire people. I love to make them feel like they can do anything on their yoga mat and in their life. The poses are great and all but when a student tells me I inspired them to follow their dream or that I helped them through a dark time, that’s the best feeling ever.
WL: What challenges you about what you do?
JR: I’m the biggest challenge when it comes to my job. I get in my own way, I have self doubt, second guess, I get lazy, all the feelings most people have. Sometimes it’s hard for me to be inspiring if I’m going through personal turmoil. But when I step foot in the studio and I see my students, I’m okay. They are my inspiration, they are my muses, they are what lift me up when I’m down. I’m so grateful for them.