About

Matt Starnowski began his yoga journey by developing a self-practice in an art studio where he learned the Ashtanga Primary Series online through Kino MacGregor and John Scott instructional videos.

From there he began practicing in-person at Ashtanga Yoga Charlottesville to learn the Intermediate Series from Jennifer Elliot. He also apprenticed under her and assisted others during their self-led practices. He studied at Yoga District for the 200-hr teacher certification where he was exposed to Dharma Mittra and to Progressive Ashtanga. He then completed a 50-hr Progressive Ashtanga training with David Kyle from Puerto Rico.

He simultaneously became immersed with contact improvisation and ecstatic dance for non-dual awareness and emotional transformation through 5 Rhythms ecstatic dance, contact improvisation and ballet. He is a deep believer in self-inquiry and the medicinal application of yoga and movement practices that can lead to healing and towards self-realization.

He received his 300-hour certification from Dr. Rose Erin Vaughn, founder of Science of Self Yoga, who has combined Ashtanga, Dharma, and 26&2 Yoga into one practice, while honoring and transmitting the ancient tradition and science of yoga. Meridian/Science of Self Yoga integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with yoga asana so that students can learn to heal themselves by understanding the meridian pathways and points in their yoga practice, which will assist them with the goals of yoga: self-realization and service. He also received a transimission of the Hatha Yoga Pradikipa from Edward James Sczudlo through Science of Self.