Meet Rene Eder | Yoga Teacher

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

Hi Rene, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
To take a quote from my book writing mentor, Joshua Sprague, “balance is B.S.”. Balance is always shifting, it changes depending on the situation. Especially if you are creative and love what you do, there is not much balance to be found. I am drawn to “rhythmicity”. Moving through cycles that honor your natural rhythm instead of trying to create a perfect one. Each of us has a unique rhythm, it is more important to get to know and understand this rhythm and make decisions accordingly. I do not feel like there is a magic formula out there that will work for most of us. It is an individual journey.

In fall, I am usually in create and work mode. Lots of writing, retreats, teacher trainings and corporate yoga classes. This crazy cycle will last until late November, then I will likely fall into hibernation mode. Late fall and winter are a time of rest and reflection until spring. In spring, there is usually another busy phase, until the laziness of summer kicks in. This seasonal rhythm works for me, it’s a macro view.

Weekly, I engage in work activities and creation 5 days a week. I take one day off for self-care. I do not teach or make appointments. Instead, I make it a priority to get extra rest and do something nice for myself, get a massage, pedicure, watch Netflix or head to the spa. The other day off is usually for “domestic goddessing” a day to take care of domestic duties, laundry, grocery shopping, errands, kid stuff.

On a balanced day, there is a burst of energy in the morning, getting kids off to school, morning workouts, leading yoga classes, writing. In the afternoon, I prefer to rest. Take time to eat, nap and welcome kids home. There’s another burst of energy in the evening to lead yoga and meditation sessions as well as write and lead discussions.

It works well for me, but may not be ideal for others. There’s the additional challenge of loving what you do, it never really feels like “work” to me. Yes, I may have deadlines to meet, places I need to appear, or classes to lead but it’s not dull or boring. I have a lot of freedom and flexibility that I have created over time. I use that to my advantage. When creation mode comes on strong, I go with it. When I feel like I have the energy to get a lot of things done and manage the details, I make it happen. When energy is low and I need to recharge, I create the space I need to rest.

It’s not a matter of finding the right balance. It’s objectively observing energy in a day, a week or a season and allowing it to unfold naturally. It leads to increased happiness and productivity. Let your own natural wisdom be your guide, your internal teacher or coach is there, just listen. It will tell you what to do and when.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been teaching yoga and meditation for over 20 years. I still love it. I love getting up every day and sharing something that is so special to me. It makes me happy. As I reflect, I truly feel that it is the reason I am here. It’s what I am supposed to do. Yogis have a word for this, dharma. Following your dharma means living and making decisions based on the highest version of yourself. Taking the time to find your dharma and follow it with all of your heart makes every day amazing.

Yoga With Rene is a brand that evolved from my dharma. It’s a personal extension of myself. At the heart of my message is taking ancient yogic teachings and making them relevant in our modern world. My mission has moved from not only delivering top quality yoga classes, but facilitating memorable yoga retreats. Leading life-changing yoga teaching training courses. Writing and publishing books around this central theme of making yoga philosophy and teachings accessible and relatable.

It has been my experience that many yoga books are underappreciated because of the tone and time they were written. The messages are universal, but sometimes the delivery is dry and dull. I created my own word for this “swami-riffic”, the messages are encouraging, but the way they are written can be difficult to navigate and understand. It can be hard to incorporate teachings into your life if you do not relate to them.

When I wrote my first book, “Yoga Your Life”, it normalizes the 8 limbs of yoga according to the great sage Pantanjali. When I first read them, they were little more than something I had to memorize as part of yoga teacher training. But with more time and experience, I began to understand them on a deeper, more personal level. It does not read like a textbook, instead it reads like a series of personal essays. I would even go so far to say that it is a love letter to the 8 limbs of yoga. At the end of each chapter, you “L.E.A.P.” into each limb. An easy acronym for “Limb, Explanation, Action, Practice” to remember the message of the limb.

I offer local weekend retreats, sharing the love of the 8 limbs in an approachable way. I’m excited to pilot a prototype of the “Yoga Your Life” workbook in October at the beautiful Elohee Retreat Center, near Helen, Georgia. The weekend will include personalized feedback, suggestions as well as a practice log so you can record your interaction with the 8 limbs. By writing things down and holding yourself accountable, it deepens your relationship with yoga, beyond going to classes. And more importantly, it’s fun.

I’m currently editing my second book, “Dosha Your Day”. A yoga workbook that uses the ancient teachings of ayurvedic doshas as a way to categorize your day. There are suggestions and practices you can follow so you are prepared to dominate your day. Whether it is a creative day, a busy day, or a much needed self-care day. Ayurveda laid the foundation over 5000 years ago. “Dosha Your Day” builds upon this foundation. It will show you a fun, simple way to be more at peace and productive using this ancient wisdom.

Yoga With Rene provides experiences, classes, retreats, publications and yoga teacher training courses designed to make more of a yoga practice. To satisfy the curiosity of those who want to take their practice “off the mat”. There is so much more to yoga than what happens within the walls of a studio. Yoga With Rene can help make those connections in a personal, local way that will make you feel comfortable. Like talking with a group of friends, not condescending or intimidating. Using easy, relatable language wrapped up in love and compassion.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I moved to Georgia in 2014, I am still getting to know this amazing state and all of its’ treasures. I would definitely head to:

Red Top Mountain State Park. Less than 30 minutes from my home, but you feel so far away. Amazing hiking trails, particularly the Homestead Trail, beautiful Lake Allatoona, the recently renovated cabins are a must see and stay for a long weekend.

Cylantro’s Venesualean Cuisine. The food is so full of love and flavor, I can’t get enough. I would highly recommend the burritos, fried plantains and a juice drink called Lulo. I don’t know what they put in their homemade sauces, one is green and cooling, the other is red and spicy, but they are both delicious!

Tiny Bubbles Tea Bar. My favorite place to take the kids for a treat. In downtown Woodstock, close to shopping and the playground. An exhaustive list of combinations of tea, macaroons, edible cookie dough and sweets.

Sahara Grille. A small, family owned mediterranean restaurant. The food is fresh and delicious, standouts for me are the falafel, babaganoush and stuffed grape leaves. There is an incredible beet salad, even if you don’t like beets!

I am a spa hound and since moving to Georgia, I have fallen in love with Korean-style spas and saunas. When I want to treat myself, I head to Jeju or Spaland. An entire day of self-care; start with a dip in the pools, get a body shampoo, some Korean stew, top it off with some reflexology and time in the different mineral encrusted saunas.

Just Love Forest. A beautiful blossoming community to experience forest therapy. Hikes, gatherings, healing sessions, meditations and amazing food. Forest foraged tea brings you closer to the land, always a memorable experience.

The Appalachian Trail. So fortunate to have this natural treasure so close by. Anytime I get to hike a section, or spend time on the trail, it’s like creating your own “Wild” experience. A great way to honor the iconic trail system as well as explore the mountains. You meet the most interesting people as you walk the trail.

The City of Helen. I know it’s touristy, but I love it. Shoot the Hooch, hang out and have a beer at the Troll Tavern and laugh as your navigation speaks German to you! Always a great getaway.

Blood Mountain Wilderness. Love exploring this area, lots of falls, rivers, cabins, BBQ and trails to explore. The summit hike to the top is tough, but totally worth it.

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?
I would not be able to share anything if it were not for my teachers, there are so many that have touched my life in some way. Here are only a few that I can recall at this moment:

D’ana Baptiste, Jonny Kest, Swami Sivananda, Swami Vishnudevananda, Jonah Kest, Mila Burgess, Steve Ross, Baron Baptiste, Georgi Savanelli, Scott Moore, Tejasvin Narayan, Bikram Choudhury, Tiffany Wood, Erin Menut, Swami Paramananda, Swami Pranavananda, Caru Das, Sreekanth Gopi, David Hawkins, Anodea Judith, Jane James, Tonya Breuggemeyer, the Dalai Lama, Lobsang Tenzin, Erika Lefever, Dave Stringer, Deva Premal, Patti Reiss, Gwen Fellin, Swami Prabhupada, SN Goenka, TKV Desikichar, Sharon Salzberg, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Geri Fox, Tom Bluewolf, Sonya Davis, Richard Ruud, Eckart Tolle, Tory Schafer, Swami Satchidananda, Sadhguru, Arjuna, Seane Corn, Jason Hulshof, Gin Miller, Joshua Sprague

Website: www.yogawithrene.com

Instagram: @Rene_Eder

Facebook: @ReneEderYoga

Image Credits
@kellemacphotography