Dean Hollingsworth

I stumbled into my first yoga class just as I was sobering up after a decade-long heroin addiction. I didn’t stay clean then and I didn’t maintain my practice. However, the seed was planted, and it has always been synonymous with getting my life together. Initially, I just loved the way it made me feel. I loved discovering new possibilities. I loved overcoming adversity with dedication to my practice. I needed the disciplined approach of consistency in my life. I loved the sounds of breathing in the room, the smell of work being done, and the absence of distracting noises. I loved that I was developing a regular time to get to know myself in this new way. I loved the quiet, content state of mind that a good practice leaves me with. I loved the compassion that I feel for others as a result of being more in tune with my self.

I decided that I wanted to share the practice with others who were suffering from addiction issues, and this began my journey of holding space. Along the way, I found ashtanga to be the practice most therapeutic for me. I made a decision early on that I wanted to learn directly from the source, so I embarked on the first of many trips to Mysore, India to study with my teacher to- be, Sharath Jois.

In 2016, I received the first of my teacher’s blessings. Again in 2018, I was honored with my teacher’s trust in me. This time in the form of level ii authorization.

Along with my wife Sarah, we have now come to dedicate our path to preserving this traditional ashtanga practice for the local DFW community. We hope to have the opportunity to share our passion for this profound practice with you all.