Constance: Alright, Dizzie, I’m so glad you’re here! You’ve been teaching with us for a few months now—where did your yoga journey actually begin? Was it here in the U.S. or back in the UK?

Dizzie: It was in the UK! I actually found yoga through my workplace. My company hired an Ashtanga teacher to come in every Tuesday evening. At the time, I didn’t know the difference between any styles of yoga—so looking back, it’s kind of funny that my very first class was Ashtanga.

Constance: Right! Little did you know at the time that you were jumping right into a pretty sincere practice. Where were you working at the time?

Dizzie: I was working for the headquarters of a convenience store brand in London.

Constance: Love that. I’m working on launching our private lessons page, so workplace wellbeing has been top of mind for me. But I’m curious—what was it about Ashtanga that hooked you?

Dizzie: Honestly, I’ve never been naturally athletic or super coordinated. Maybe having the name Dizzie has something to do with that! [laughs] But with yoga, it was the first time I felt myself building strength and flexibility—and even more than that, I could feel stress leaving my body during class. It was such a noticeable shift. It almost felt like magic.

Constance: Totally. That "before and after" feeling is so real. Okay, you’re a dual citizen—what have you noticed about yoga culture in the UK compared to the US?

Dizzie: Great question. In London, the yoga scene feels more branded—very specific styles like Rocket, Ashtanga, Dharma, Jivamukti—it can feel overwhelming as a beginner. Here in St. Louis, I’ve noticed it feels more open-ended. It’s just… yoga. It depends so much on the teacher, their influences, their style. And I actually love that. It feels a bit more authentic to yoga’s roots, where traditionally, students would learn directly from a teacher whose personal approach shaped the practice.

Constance: I love that you said that. There’s definitely a conversation around honoring lineage while also recognizing yoga as a living science—it evolves with the times, with our bodies, with each teacher. Like, last night in Ally’s class, she brought in somatic tools like tapping and shaking. I love when those different modalities integrate, and it’s still yoga.

Dizzie: Exactly! But it can be overwhelming both ways—too many specific styles, or wide-open interpretation. I’ve noticed that, too, when I travel or practice in different places. In the UK or Europe, I’d show up to a clearly defined Hatha or Ashtanga class. Here, it’s more about finding a teacher whose vibe resonates.

Constance: So true. I lived in India for a year, practicing yoga at different schools, and even there, the teachings contradicted each other. It’s an oral tradition, passed down teacher to student, evolving along the way. You have to get comfortable with not having black-and-white answers.

Dizzie: Exactly. And I think that's what inspired me to teach—to help others navigate that space. That post-class exhale of relief? I wanted to offer that to others. And of course, yoga isn't always easy—it brings up emotions, discomfort, even tears sometimes. But creating a space where students feel supported through that is so important.

Constance: The way you talk about space-holding makes me wonder—was trauma-informed teaching part of your training?

Dizzie: Surprisingly, no. We focused a lot on inclusion but not explicitly trauma-informed approaches. But through my own practice and experience, it’s become a priority. In my classes, when I say "take rest if you need to," I genuinely mean it. I want students to know they can modify, opt out, or just breathe—no pressure.

Constance: And it shows! I’ve taken your class, and there’s definitely challenge, but also so much permission to make it your own. It felt really spacious, like everyone belonged.

Dizzie: That’s exactly my hope.

Constance: Let’s shift gears—what kind of music can our students expect in your classes? Any favorite songs or go-to artists?

Dizzie: I love house music—jazz house, disco house, steady beats that help set a rhythm. My playlist follows the class arc: about 15 minutes of grounding, 30 minutes of dynamic movement, and 15 minutes to cool down and settle. I want the breath, the music, and the flow to sync up, creating this meditative rhythm.

Constance: Love that. I remember really enjoying your playlist—there’s something about a steady beat that just carries you through.

Dizzie: That’s the goal—support the practice without distraction, help students drop into flow.

Constance: Besides a good sweat and a quiet mind, what do you hope students take away from your class?

Dizzie: I always weave in some yoga philosophy. When I was new to yoga, teachers would mention yamas, niyamas, or other limbs of yoga, and I had no idea what they meant—but I was curious. So I love introducing those elements gently. Our asana practice prepares us for life off the mat—the way we treat ourselves, our thoughts, how we engage with the world. This week, for example, I've been reflecting on ahimsa, nonviolence, especially with everything happening globally. Yoga offers space for self-awareness and social awareness.

Constance: That leads perfectly into my last big question—how do you live your yoga off the mat?

Dizzie: For me, it’s remembering I’m always a student first. I keep practicing, taking classes, reading texts, staying curious. There’s this pressure sometimes to be the "perfect yoga teacher"—but I think it’s more about authenticity, learning, and evolving. Also, I believe yoga is a form of social justice. True liberation isn’t individual—it’s collective. Our mind-body-spirit practice extends to our communities and beyond.

Constance: Yes to all of that. That quote comes to mind: "None of us are free until all of us are free." Especially here, near the “Delmar Divide” and North City, I think there’s so much potential for yoga to fuel community connection and healing.

Dizzie: Absolutely.

Constance: Okay, let’s wrap with a quick lightning round:

• Coffee or tea?
  Dizzie: Coffee.

• City life or nature escape?
  Dizzie: City life—I love the energy and connection with people.

• Sunrise or sunset?
  Dizzie: Sunrise. Those quiet moments early in the morning are my favorite.

Constance: Nice. And last one—anything else you want students to know?

Dizzie: Just that yoga is always evolving—for the individual, the community, and the world. My classes are meant to be inclusive, exploratory, and supportive. You take what you need. And together, we’ll keep learning, practicing, and creating space for ourselves and each other.

Constance: Beautifully said. Thank you for sharing your practice—and for being part of this community.

You can practice with Dizzie every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at Central West End Yoga, with more pop-up and subbing opportunities throughout the schedule. See you on the mat!