About Yoga Matt
Matt Tarnowski is a yoga teacher in Chapel Hill, NC who's goal is to guide students with love and enthusiasm through the process of developing Self-awareness and raising consciousness through the practices of yoga. With nearly 1,000 teaching hours and twelve years of experience in yoga philosophy and practice, Matthew is a knowledgeable and intuitive guide to anyone seeking positive life changes, growth and healing. His yoga teachings incorporate aspects of many lineages, including Hatha, Kundalini and Tantric Yoga.
Matthew is privileged to participate in two teacher training programs where he leads sessions in anatomy and physiology, meditation, mantra, yoga philosophy, pranayama, subtle body anatomy and chakra awareness.
Matthew teaches yoga in Chapel Hill, NC where he lives with his fiancee and two talking dogs. When he’s not teaching yoga Matthew works as a copywriter, enjoys gardening, riding motorcycles and writing about himself in the third person. He hopes to see you soon in a yoga class or yoga workshop.
Matthew is privileged to participate in two teacher training programs where he leads sessions in anatomy and physiology, meditation, mantra, yoga philosophy, pranayama, subtle body anatomy and chakra awareness.
Matthew teaches yoga in Chapel Hill, NC where he lives with his fiancee and two talking dogs. When he’s not teaching yoga Matthew works as a copywriter, enjoys gardening, riding motorcycles and writing about himself in the third person. He hopes to see you soon in a yoga class or yoga workshop.
Training
I began learning yoga by following the sequences prescribed in Light on Yoga and the Sivananda Companion to Yoga for nearly two years before enrolling in the teacher training program at the North Carolina School of Yoga with Chandra Om in 2003. This truly life-changing experience introduced me to Raja and Hatha yoga as taught by Sri Dharma Mittra. It made teaching yoga not just a vocation, but a devotion. In addition to numerous workshops and intensives, my formal training includes:
After seven years of flirting with Ma Shakti, I'm finally taking the plunge and starting the Level 1 Aquarian Teacher Training to learn Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. You can follow along with updates on the your yoga matt blog.
- Satyananda Yogic Studies Program - 2005
- Art of Living Part 1 Course - 2007
- Art of Living Part 2 Course - 2008
- Triad Yoga Institute 500-hr Iyengar Teacher Training Program - 2008
- Usui Reiki Healer Level 1 Certification - 2008
- Sahaj Samadhi Meditation - 2009
- Anatomy Trains for Movement Certification - 2011
After seven years of flirting with Ma Shakti, I'm finally taking the plunge and starting the Level 1 Aquarian Teacher Training to learn Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. You can follow along with updates on the your yoga matt blog.
Philosophy
There are hundreds of great yoga books, but I always come back to two. "How To Know God," a small, poetic interpretation of the Yoga Sutras, and the Bhagavad Gita. These gems always lead me back to the path with their guiding light. Every day I wake up to give thanks for my life. When I ask myself "How have I come to know God?" The answer is always: through courage and gratitude. That's what I hope to share through teaching.
Blessings
I'm honored that you're here. And I honor all those who have come before. I honor those masters – past and present, and the masters yet to awaken. I take refuge in the perfected beings. I take refuge in the teachings. I take refuge in the community. I dedicate this site to all sincere seekers. May your journey be joyful and blessed.
Blessings
I'm honored that you're here. And I honor all those who have come before. I honor those masters – past and present, and the masters yet to awaken. I take refuge in the perfected beings. I take refuge in the teachings. I take refuge in the community. I dedicate this site to all sincere seekers. May your journey be joyful and blessed.
There is hardly room to thank all of my teachers, but I have to give a shout out to The Beatles for helping me take my first step on this long journey Across the Universe.
Sounds of laughter
shades of life
are ringing through my open ears
exciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love
which shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on
across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Aum
Jai guru dev:
Victorious, that inner teacher,
that shining one
whose wisdom illuminates our hearts.
shades of life
are ringing through my open ears
exciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love
which shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on
across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Aum
Jai guru dev:
Victorious, that inner teacher,
that shining one
whose wisdom illuminates our hearts.
Want to know more?
Students frequently comment that they enjoy a range of practices in my yoga classes that they don't get in other classes, and often ask where I get my material. If you're interested in knowing where it comes from keep reading, or visit the links page.
