Amanda Fishman, Yoga Instructor

Serendipity Yoga Owner

ActivewearUSA.com Ambassador

Serendipity Yoga

My first yoga experience was when I was a little girl... all I remember is falling asleep halfway through... So to say it took me a long time to realize what I wanted to do, well, it took me over 20 years to realize I wanted to make yoga my way of life. At first, as a student, then as a business owner, lastly falling in love with teaching too. Born and raised in Michigan, but I have lived in Florida, Indiana, New York, and Oregon. About 10 years ago, I moved home, to work for my father at his financial advising office. While I loved the excitement of the business world, the stock market, and every day learning many new things, I couldn't wait to get to my yoga class each day. I took "yoga" vacations, attended workshops, had many yogi friends, I soon was dreaming of how can I somehow merge my two vastly different worlds. The fast-paced, dressed up, sleek office life, with the organic, blissed-out, life is sweet and happy yogini life. I wanted to live the yogic way, plain and simple.

I was lucky enough to realize my dream could be a reality. One day a few years ago, while driving around with a yogi friend, we started discussing just how great it would be to have a studio. Create something different. Why not right? I have a business background, she is a lawyer. We agreed if it worked and all fell into place, it was meant to be. We "serendipitously" found it was possible. After two years of major work, learning everything as we went along, Serendipity Yoga opened in the winter of 2009. Keeping true to our original plan, Serendipity is a place free from judgement, allowing everyone to feel at ease, and come practice yoga simply. Yoga is what helps me "balance" my life. I can help others find their inner peace, just by sharing my passion and having fun while doing so. Practicing yoga challenges me daily, constantly looking at how can I improve my actions, words, and thoughts, which I am truly grateful for.

What I can not live without: My puppy, yoga, delicious vege food, endless laughing fits with friends, family, music, art, literature, international news, and fashion

Interests: Yoga, baking yummy vegan treats, jewelry making, animal rights, films, hebrew class, training Garcia Ganesh (puppy), humanitarian issues

Inspired by: My dad, friends who can make me laugh and cry at the same time, seeing that I have the ability to create happiness and knowing that one person does make a difference. Teachers all over the world for believing in a different path of life, and the student, new and old, when they walk in tense or unsure, seeing them walk out after class with that big yoga smile.

Activities: Yoga, smiling, meeting new people and making friends, anything outdoors in any season (love that Michigan has all 4), too many to write...