Gretchen Horinger

Nickname: Stretchin’ Gretchen. My mom called me this as an infant…This must have stuck somewhere in my subconscious!

Favorite food: Hummus & pita chips, falafel, Chana Masala – Pretty much anything middle eastern or Indian.

Favorite place: Blacksburg, VA the home of my alma mater (Virginia Tech). I especially love to be there in the fall, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains as all the trees are changing. Heavenly!

Guilty pleasure: Books! New, ones, old ones, borrowed ones. I have to literally be dragged out of book stores. And I have enough books on my “To Read” list to last me well beyond my time here on this earth but, I keep adding to it!

Hobbies: Running, cooking, reading, cuddling with our 3 dogs.
Who do you most admire and why? My husband. He’s the most patient & compassionate person. He is always putting others before himself with out a second thought; he’ll say, “it’s just the right thing to do.” His life is a beautiful example of Seva (selfless service) & Bhakti (the yoga of love) because he cares so deeply about the well-being of those which he shares this world with.

What is your favorite yoga pose and why? Adho Mukha Svanasana. I love Down Dog because it’s such a warm, inviting pose. That first Down Dog of every class invites you to just let everything else going on in your life slide right off your back as you settle in & find your way (physically & mentally) back to your true self.

When did you start practicing yoga? I began practicing yoga in 2008 while training for a half-marathon. I haven't stopped since.

Who are your teachers and where did you train?  I am truly blessed to study with & am constantly amazed by my teacher Marni Task. I've also had the incredible opportunity to study directly with David Life & Sharon Gannon, the founders of Jivamukti Yoga. They are a huge inspiration to me not only in terms of how I practice or teach yoga but, in how I want to live my life -working for the freedom & happiness of all beings. In addition, I've participated in intensive training workshops with Sianna Sherman, Wade Imre Morrisette, & Jonny Kest.

Describe your teaching style: Empowering. Full of inspiring (sometimes unexpected) music & lots of love.

What is your motto? Om Lambodaraya Namah – “The infinite potential of the universe exists in us all…” just like a full, blooming, fruitful tree exists within a single, tiny seed. It’s a nice reminder that this life is exactly what you make it!

To contact Gretchen with comments or questions, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.