Meet Lex Koettig | Yoga + Mindfulness Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lex Koettig and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lex, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
Personally, success is waking up in a good mood and going to sleep at peace within my heart.

If these things are present, then as an automatic result, my relationships are connected and fulfilling, my creative juices are flowing, my decision making is efficient, and most importantly I’m enjoying life. If I’m in a good mood and my heart is at peace then I’m totally available for whatever comes at me in the day and can make the most out of it.

In my perspective, one of the ultimate goals of Yoga is to “love the life you live.” Not only when it is exactly how you would like it (haha how often is that the case – palm to forehead) but to love it…every damn day, regardless of the ups and downs that inevitably unfold.

To accomplish this and truly be successful, it all starts with a good mood and a heart at peace.

What should our readers know about your business?
These days you find a lot of “hobbyists” when it comes to teaching yoga, which couldn’t be further from the truth for myself. I’ve been teaching yoga and mindfulness for over 15 years now, and as you can imagine, my business has grown, evolved and changed many times over the years.

First I started teaching in local studios for basically $20 a class (palm to forehead) at the crack of dawn, and as my teaching skills refined and my knowledge expanded I moved into better time slots at the studios and gaining private clients. I have led multiple teacher trainings, taught continuing education programs and developed my own program for high school athletes.

After teaching for 10 years, I opened my own studio at my house and taught in-depths series, classes and privates.

With the birth of my son, my teaching once again evolved as I was inspired to create an online studio. For the first time in my life I didn’t have the accessibility to get into a yoga studio, but being a new mom I desperately needed to keep up with my yoga practice. Your Daily Groove is my current teaching platform – it is an app where I offer movement classes, lectures and meditations to support individuals in falling back into their groove of being themselves and feeling good daily!

One of the top lessons I learned very early on is not everyone is going to like you, your class or your methodology of teaching. I remind myself, “If I’m not pissing someone off, I’m not playing a big enough game.” Hahah so I try to push myself and the limits in this department with my teachings and offerings.

Ultimately, my brand stands for the possibility of loving the life you live – to feel good in your body, mind and heart every damn day of your life. I have been told that one of my gifts as a teacher is taking the ancient teachings of the masters and spinning them in such a way that they become easily digestible and applicable to us modern day yogis. I have full faith in these teachings to support us all in this worthy pursuit of genuinely loving our lives.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First and foremost, I love to get outside in the morning. A light run or walk along the coast is my go-to way to start the day. Of course I have to suggest a kick-your-butt type of yoga class over at Asteya Yoga in Encinitas. All of my favorite teachers are there, so you really can’t go wrong with any class you pop into.

As far as food and drink, I love to hit up Catania in La Jolla for lunch and Aperol Spritz on a nice sunny day. When I really want to treat a guest or my husband, I always choose Born + Raised downtown in Little Italy.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow is there a character limit to this question?!

Michael Fukumura is one of the most incredible yoga teachers and human beings I have met. He embodies the principles of Yoga in such a balanced and harmonious way that you can’t help but feel inspired in his presence. I owe all of my knowledge in Anusara Yoga to him, and am forever grateful for the extra time and care he spent helping me cultivate my own teaching skills and presence.

Dr. Russ Fuller is a psychologist I was referred to by a friend when I was going through a challenging time. To this day whenever I refer someone to him I always describe him as “the smartest person I know.” But that’s only half the story, because his heart is just as big as his brain. I will always be grateful for his help, insight and genuine care during a stage of my life I desperately needed someone to believe in me.

Niseema Agarwal is a top-notch acupuncturist in Encinitas who is incredibly knowledgeable and gifted in her craft. I came to her because of physical issues I had struggled with for a decade and I kept coming back because of her ability to treat me as whole – physically, mentally and emotionally. She’s a miracle worker, no matter how I came into her office I would leave feeling grounded, connected and clear.

Website: lexkoettig.com

Instagram: @lexkoettig + @your_daily_groove

Youtube: @yourdailygroove