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.
i have dedicated my path to preserving this traditional ashtanga practice for the local DFW community as i have learned it from my teacher, Sharathji. i hope to have the opportunity to share my passion for this profound practice with you..
erin Hollingsworth
I was first introduced to ashtanga through a beginners workshop in my hometown, Nacogdoches ,TX in 2013. I was inspired by the discipline and dedication it required. Unlike other forms of yoga, ashtanga felt structured, methodical, and I fell in love with it. Over time, I developed a daily devotional practice and with persistence and patience, have found healing.
I made my first trip to Mysore India in 2015 to study with Sri. R Sharath Jois. Soon after returning home I began practicing and later apprenticing with Priya Jhawar of Ashtanga Yoga Austin. In 2020, I moved back home to be near my family in Nacogdoches. Since that time, I was a co-owner of Ashtanga Yoga Nacogdoches where I taught and held space alongside Amy Sanford.
In 2021 I was given the blessing of my guru, Sharathji, to share/teach this tradition of Ashtanga Yoga as I have learned it from him.
HILARY ARAI
Hilary has been practicing yoga for over 10 years in a variety of styles. From June 2017 she began Mysore style Ashtanga with Dean. She is a 200hr RYT grad from Liberation Yoga in Los Angeles, and she has studied Ayurveda at Kerala Ayurveda Academy. Originally from Oklahoma, but has lived in many places including Japan (where she met her husband, Moto), the UK, and China.
MOTO ARAI
Moto began yoga in 2006 in Los Angeles. He’s practiced a variety of styles including Vinyasa, Anusara, and Sivananda. In 2017, he started Ashtanga with Dean. He likes the regularity of Ashtanga. It’s the same, but you find the difference and change within. He completed a 200 Hr yoga teacher training in 2021.