May 1st, 2025
With more than 30 years of dedicated practice and teaching, Lewis Rothlein brings wisdom, heart, and clarity to every class. A longtime practitioner of Ashtanga Yoga and a Yoga Alliance certified teacher, Lewis is known for his approachable style, thoughtful guidance, and generous spirit.
His teaching is rooted in the healing power of yoga—something he’s witnessed again and again in his own life and in the lives of his students. Blending breath, movement, and presence, Lewis creates an experience that nourishes both body and soul. His classes emphasize the calming rhythm of the breath and the meditative flow that draws us inward, away from stress and into stillness.
Decades in, Lewis continues to fall more in love with yoga every day—and it shows.
Table of Contents
My first class was an Iyengar class, taught in the teacher’s home, five students. I went because my wife recommended it. I was running marathons at the time and figured, “How hard could it be?”
Even though Iyengar is a slow-moving style, before long I was drenched in sweat. I was pushing too hard, and strongly working muscles I wasn’t used to exerting. Yet I felt physically good in a way different than I ever felt before.
That was the seed that led to continued yoga, trying different styles, and then landing on Ashtanga yoga, which perfectly spoke my language. That was more than 35 years ago, and I am still enamored with and grateful for it, during and after every practice, and for how good it makes me feel in general.
It was that day it was suddenly clear that yoga wasn’t simply something that was good for me, but rather, it was a passion. I savored it, relished the gifts that it continually brought. I practiced continually, sought out workshops, read everything I could on it – I couldn’t get enough. This led to opening a yoga studio – Full Circle Yoga in Winter Park, Florida (it’s still there)!
It feels like I’ve disappeared when I’m teaching yoga.
My mind is so focused on the students, it’s as if I don’t exist. What can I tell this student to do that will make their pose feel better? What cue can I give that will help many students right now? How can I point out to that student that what they’re doing is perfect?
I feel like I’m helping and giving completely, and there is much reward in that.
That would be Pose of the Child, which centers me, feels delicious, makes me glad to be alive. Every time I take it, it renews and refreshes. What a gift!
