By Raquel Issenberg
Alexandra Mitchell likes to carry her students over the boundaries of a common yoga sequence into a harmonized practice held by traditional postures and dancing elements within the movement.
With a passion rooted in both the fluidity of dance and the introspection of yoga, Mitchell crafts her yoga classes to promote self-discovery at the levels of body, space, and energy.
On top of that, Mitchell infuses her verbal instruction with her bright personality and humor, guiding her fellow yogis from an inward perspective into a lightened heart. This is one of the many reasons she is the yoga teacher who offers her voice this month and gives insights into her practice and unique teachings.
Embracing harmony
Using the energy of the dancing arts, Alexandra Mitchell inspires her students to explore the depths of their physical and emotional potential.
“My connection with movement through music and dance began as a form of creative expression at an early age. When I went to college, I left behind group sports to solo dance for exercise instead. Gifted some Middle Eastern videos at graduation, and I studied for years alone. It wasn’t until I sought a teacher and class that I really felt the power that dance created, and that it was bigger than me.”, she expressed.
Mitchell, who’s an artist of the company Stardust Pixxies, has a vivid memory of how she embodied the interconnections with different disciplines.
“Energy was moving through me and around me, beyond me. With all the workshops and classes that I took and taught, yoga was always there in the background as a bridge to explain to students the knowledge of what muscle groups were affected. There is a common thread of yoga being present throughout my entire life in my dance, my practice, and my therapy. I started yoga as a warm-up and cool-down before my dance or performances.”.
Drawing from her background in dance and energy sensitivity, Mitchell seamlessly infuses the ancient practice of yoga with the artistry of movement, inspiring her students to explore the depths of their physical potential.
“When we move, we can stir then shift energy. Once we move as a group, we become something larger than ourselves. We become another entity of energy, as a flock of birds will flow in a collective that evolves from a single being to a greater combined force. They follow instinct as they twist and turn together in the sky linking an energy greater than the individual. Movement takes us out of ourselves and we have a purpose in the present moment.”, she elaborated.
Unlocked energy
“Stuck energy can create discomfort and fragmentation (…) Thus we build heat in our bodies to burn off the rubbish of everyday life and get to our core to integrate and ignite us”.— Alexandra Mitchell
Through her creative teachings, Mitchell effortlessly weaves together the spiritual essence of yoga and the grace of dancing arts. Her classes become a harmonious blend of strength and flexibility, where students are encouraged to explore the infinite possibilities of their bodies, transcending their own perceived limitations.
“The grace and flow of dance have blended into my practice for building heat. Leading us to spaces for holding stagnant positions; some we never imagined we could get to. We never know if we don’t try! Yoga teaches us to drop our ego. Dance is a form of self-expression usually with a partner or group.”, she expounded.
To Mitchell’s experience, yoga is “self-expression on an inner level that connects our physical form with our essence; group yoga merges our individual being with the created collective energy of the room. Dance is a powerful way to heal ourselves and unwind the body to achieve release. Trust yourself. Healing initiated through movement can assist to further body and mind alignment.”.
Beyond the physical aspect, Mitchell recognizes the importance of cultivating sacred spaces, and fostering an atmosphere of mindfulness, compassion, and self-acceptance on the mat: “As we practice yoga and begin to move, my purpose is to provide a safe space and a few guideposts for suggestions. Movement is great therapy and helps shift the energy within. Stuck energy can create discomfort and fragmentation. Sound (music, singing) and dance are intrinsic forms of self-expression that raise our vibration and make us happier. Thus we build heat in our bodies to burn off the rubbish of everyday life and get to our core to integrate and ignite us—mind, body, soul.”.
With each breath and movement, Mitchell, who’s also a licensed massage therapist (LMT), encourages her students to embark on an introspective journey, inviting them to release stagnant energy and embrace a heightened sense of self-awareness.
“We are all residents of vibration whether that’s light waves, sound waves, or atoms. Stillness and movement in practice are equally important for our healing and health. We create movement through our kinetic energy so we can build heat to release what no longer serves us. Stillness offers answers to come to us after we cleanse our essence of negative/nonserving energy by applying the heat of movement.
Moving dispels frozen and scattered energy which allows us to go deeper into stillness to heal and connect with our inner self, our consciousness, our mind, our awareness, and love- our essence so we can become whole. Thus gaining a positive balance within our body and space.”, she highlighted.
Send Alexandra an email for inquiries.
Mitchell's teaching style exudes a sense of freedom which includes rich and deep tones via drums and other instruments, inviting her students to explore territories of self-expression.
“We are all made up of vibration. By bringing drums, singing bowls, and tuning forks into class, I am hoping to encourage people to feel their frequency and find their voice, their healing sounds, and their vibrations. We are utilizing our bodies as instruments and fine-tuning the subtle energy bodies. My hope is to allow the resonance to cleanse one’s electromagnetic field and one’s consciousness and the surrounding air of what has been released thus deepening the integration of their practice.”, she explained.
When you attend her classes you notice that her voice isn’t monotone but a blend of strong authenticity and humorous yet nonintrusive notes.
Mitchell considers that “humor lightens the heart and keeps us present. Humor is healing and therapeutic. Laughter evokes a commonality among people that lightens the mood and drops the ego. Then we see how much we have in common as loving human beings, all together. Singing, dancing and laughter are ways in which we heal ourselves…”.
In the near future, Mitchell is opening her new studio in Vidalia, Georgia, along with her partner, Leslie Gilbert, a wellness coach and yoga teacher, and author of You Are The Expert.
Mitchell and Gilbert’s space, The Village Hub, will include yoga classes, massage, and a variety of workshops. Stay tuned for more!
Through her unique blend of artistry and wellness, Alexandra Mitchell serves weekly the Savannah community:
➠ Practice with her at Savannah Yoga Center and the JEA! Follow her on Instagram or send her an email.
Send Alexandra an email for inquiries.
The intricate threads of dance and the yoga journey can reveal on the mat the transformative power it holds for the body and soul. It is also a reminder to bring “lightness of being” into our lives.
“I offer my unique expression in order for others to find their light. Laugher permits the soul to shine. Shine On.”, Mitchell finalizes.
