Each woman came with a different story, but watching them all leave with a collective, deeper understanding of themselves, community, and connection was life-changing.
A Journey That Started Off the Mat
Hi! My name is Sydney Young, and I’m a yoga teacher based between Miami, Florida, and the Bahamas. My yoga journey began about seven years ago—but it didn’t begin on a mat.
I was living in Thailand, teaching English, and exploring Southeast Asia. I fell in love with the culture and the way people carried themselves. It inspired me to go deeper. I began reading books that changed my mindset, like The Alchemist, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, and The Power of Now. Looking back, I see how those books and the people I met along the way gently guided me toward yoga.
After Thailand, I moved to Miami and tried my first hot yoga class. At first, yoga was just another form of movement—I was exploring all kinds of workouts. Over the years, I stayed with the practice, but it wasn’t until later that I truly deepened my relationship with yoga, both on and off the mat.
In 2023, I lost my job of five years under circumstances that felt incredibly unfair. Looking back now, I see that redirection was just being disguised as rejection, and I would not be where I am today living my dreams if it wasn’t for this situation. At the time, it shattered my confidence and sense of purpose, and I found myself in a dark place that I had never been before. That’s when I took a leap and signed up for a 200-hour teacher training in Costa Rica. The training was a transformational experience that taught me about myself, forgiveness, compassion, and letting go of the ego.
Returning to the Roots: A Second Training in Thailand
When I returned to Miami, I continued practicing, but fear still held me back from teaching. I was also in a relationship that made me lose sight of who I was. I barely recognize that version of myself now. I began teaching friends and family, and about a year later, when some other doors closed, I finally decided to set fear aside and fully embrace my teaching journey.
I started by offering free outdoor classes at a local church. What began with 10 people grew to 80. Through teaching, I found my voice, rebuilt my confidence, and connected with incredible people. I stayed consistent in my personal practice, which translated to teaching at more studio spaces, meeting more people, and growing my community.
I later returned to Thailand to complete my 300-hour teacher training with Jonah Kest and Kierstie Payge, a journey that became one of the most transformational experiences of my life. This training didn’t just evolve the way I teach; it completely reshaped how I understand yoga itself—not just as a physical practice, but as a life map, a guide for navigating the inner and outer landscapes of being. I am forever grateful to my teachers.
Puerto Viejo: A Dream Realized
I just hosted my first yoga retreat, Caribbean Escape, in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica—and wow. It was everything I dreamed of and more. Puerto Viejo holds a special place in my heart. One of my childhood friends grew up there, and I’ve been visiting her for years. Even before I started teaching yoga, I knew I wanted to host a retreat there.
The local spirit in Puerto Viejo is infectious—rooted in joy, simplicity, and the mantra “one love.” It’s more than just a phrase; it’s a way of life. You’ll also hear “pura vida,” meaning “pure life,” which embodies the Costa Rican philosophy of living with gratitude, presence, and an open heart. The people lead with love, radiating positivity and connection that makes you feel instantly at home, as if you’ve returned to a place your soul has always known.
I poured my heart into every detail of this retreat—from curating intentional yoga flows with many opportunities to free flow, thoughtfully planned activities to embrace local culture, and collaborated with our amazing chef TJ to craft nourishing meals using Costa Rica’s abundant, natural resources. Every element was designed with love, presence, and purpose.
Whether it was trying new foods on our medicinal plant tour, learning to make chocolate from fresh cacao, surfing, hiking to a waterfall, dancing in our somatic movement class, connecting with locals, or exploring a new asana, we made it our collective intention to embrace discomfort… because that’s where growth lives.
This retreat has been one of the proudest moments of my life. Each woman came with a different story, but watching them all leave with a collective, deeper understanding of themselves, community, and connection was life-changing for me. We all left with true sisterhood and a deeper understanding of the practice of yoga.
This is what it’s all about. I feel honored to hold this space and create a community where people feel truly seen and supported.
A Space to Be Seen
This retreat wasn’t just a milestone—it was a mirror reflecting years of inner work. I watched students arrive guarded and leave expansive. I saw myself in their breakthroughs.
Today, when I am not teaching around Miami, I have the honor of teaching at a club in the Bahamas and hosting retreats, combining my love for yoga and travel.
Which Manduka products do you currently practice with, and what makes them your go-to choices?
Although I have a few Manduka yoga mats, my favorite—and the one I recommend to all my students, especially for heated classes—is the Manduka GRP® Adapt Yoga Mat (5mm). I’m not a huge yoga mat towel girl, so I love this mat for its grip and perfect thickness. For my most recent retreat, we used the eKO® Lite Yoga Mat, which has become my second favorite because of its texture and grip. We had sweaty jungle practices, and this mat supported us beautifully through every flow.
Connect
If you’re dreaming of your own shift, your own retreat, I see you. Let your practice lead you there.
You can find Sydney on Instagram and TikTok at @syddyoung, and her website is sydneyyoungyoga.com.
Photos by Livvy List.
