great things never come from comfort zones

A little bit about me…

It’s hard to picture my life and who I was before yoga. 

I was lost. Well, I still feel lost as fuck, but I think that’s a natural part of being in your 20s.

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Before I walked into my first yoga class, I had minimal self-worth, didn’t realize that I had even been through any trauma(s), and felt like my life riddled with anxiety and depression was constantly spiraling out of control.

This was unfortunately influenced by trying to fit in with my peers, binge drinking and profusely popping Adderall each night as part of the college culture I so desperately wanted to be a part of. All things good for your mental health, right? 

Anyways, I stumbled into a yoga class my junior year because I was having back pain. I could have never predicted how that one class would have guided and transformed the future trajectory of my life. 

In 2020, I completed a Yoga Teacher Training thinking that I wouldn’t teach, but wanted to enhance and deepen my practice. 

When I arrived in Nashville for grad school, I found Small World Yoga, Nashville’s only nonprofit yoga studio. Soon after that, I began teaching for them.

Teaching with Small World Yoga has allowed me to teach all around Nashville to various populations including youth ranging from preschool to high school, libraries, mental health facilities, correctional facilities, music festivals, community events, breweries, and more.

I’m so grateful for Small World Yoga and the opportunities and humans it has connected me with. Each class and student is special and allows me to grow.

I’ve been lucky enough to teach yoga at Bonnaroo for the past couple of years. Each year has been an invaluable experience and something that I will remember for the rest of my life. 

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This year, my friend Katie and I were standing at a show and a Roo friend named Jacob came up to us and said, “Hey those are the yoga girls. I was hoping they would be here.” 

Last year we met Jacob because we were doing yoga in the grass late at night outside of a show.

That’s how that one yoga girl was born. 

Although teaching this year was nothing as I expected, I'm so grateful for all of the beautiful souls who joined me and who ran through the Roo mushroom-like we were a bunch of little kids again.

Here I am. Maddy Kelly-that one yoga girl. Perfectly imperfect, completely and utterly fucked up, trying to figure out my past, present, and future. Always beginning again.

i'm glad you're here.

you are worthy.