community spotlight: matthew

matthew joined Ritual at the start of the year, during what he describes as a chaotic time.

“I had just recovered from surgery, and there was some drama over the holidays,” he recalls.

“I wanted to join a studio that had a strong sense of community to help ground my practice. Yoga had always been personal for me, but it felt good to subsume the self into a larger community..”

What stood out immediately was the quality of teaching.

“There’s a lot to love about Ritual,” Matthew says. “I’m always excited to go to class. I’ve learned so much. Everyone is extremely helpful and responsive, and I really like that the teachers push themselves to learn more and try out new things.”

Physically, the practice challenged him to engage more deeply with his core.

“Previously, I relied on my quads, back, and chest to shift through poses,” he explains. “I couldn’t hide from my core at Ritual. I had to push myself and work on strengthening my midsection.”

Breathwork has also played a key role in his growth.

“One challenge is I can’t breathe correctly when I’m doing something novel—I need to concentrate because I lack the muscle memory,” he says. “Being able to execute new poses while maintaining equanimity is difficult, but I get new wrinkles in my brain, so it’s a win regardless.”

He appreciates the variety of classes that Ritual offers.

“Some days I like to push myself, and Vinyasa II does that for me. I also love Yin—there’s nothing better than unwinding at the end of the week,” he says. “Kundalini requires a lot, but feeling challenged and getting knocked out of your comfort zone is a good thing. I also love the sound baths and chanting—they’re so much fun.”

When it comes to favorite poses, Matthew says his body usually tells him what’s needed.

“I really enjoy hip and hamstring openers,” he shares. “Camel and Bridge effectively counter the sitting I do most of the day. I feel like I’d be a pale shadow of myself if I didn’t practice those regularly.”

As a professor who trains teachers, Matthew finds deep value in being led.

“Ritual affords me the opportunity to just let go and be a student,” he says. “I know I’m in the right place. There comes a point in many classes where my ego dissolves and I’m just a mass quivering over a puddle. That’s when I know I’ve done something right.”