About

Ali first became interested in yoga when her martial arts instructor of 12 years, Michael Perry began an in-depth study of meditation and yoga. In 2001, she took her initial David Swenson workshop and was hooked. She made her first of many trips to Mysore, India in 2006 and feels eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to study with and be authorized by the late Sri K. Pattbhi Jois to teach Ashtanga Yoga. 

Ali taught for five years at Ashtanga Yoga New York under the unique guidance of Eddie and Jocelyne Stern and is most thankful for this exceptional opportunity. She continues to be inspired by Eddie and Jocelyne's grace, knowledge and humility.  

Ali is a full-time faculty member at NYU’S School of Engineering, where she teaches Genetics, Molecular Biology and Biostatistics for the Biomolecular Science Program. 

Community involvement has always been a pinnacle part of Ali’s focus. As a founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Outreach Project, Ashtanga Yoga Instruction is offered to at-risk and in-need communities in NYC. In 1996, Ali founded the non-profit organization, Kids Who Care, Inc. with the commitment to bring educational resources and awareness to abused and neglected children residing in shelters in New Jersey. As president and founder of KWC she has continued to grow the organization and include NYU students in the mission. Currently she works with at risk youth to help with college preparation and application. In addition, she teaches yoga for trauma survivors at Womens shelters. 

It is only through the dedication, love and inspiration of her teachers: Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Sharath and Saraswathi Rangaswamy, Eddie and Jocelyne Stern, her mentor Tommy Lee; her encouraging and stunning parents, and her incredible family and friends, without whom, none of her successes would have been possible. 

ALEXANDRA SEIDENSTEIN  

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