Yogi Aaron: from pain to power, a journey of unbinding

How one teacher redefined yoga through courage, muscle activation, and the wild wisdom of nature.

Not all yoga journeys begin with enlightenment. Some begin in pain.

For Yogi Aaron, it began deep in the woods of British Columbia, shaped by the silence of nature and the brutality of a rigid boarding school. Long before he would become an international teacher, author, and guide for countless students seeking healing, he was a young man chasing freedom first in the wilderness, then in himself.

His story, both raw and real, is one of unbinding: from physical pain, from limiting beliefs, and from outdated paradigms of what yoga should look like.

Through decades of exploration across continents and inner landscapes, he has emerged with a bold message: stop stretching. Start activating. And most of all, come home to the strength that’s already within you.

In this conversation, Yogi Aaron speaks candidly about letting go, listening deeply, and rewriting the language of yoga for a generation hungry for true empowerment.

The interview

YOGI TIMES: Your journey from the wilds of Canada to the sacred paths of yoga is anything but conventional. Can you recall a moment in your early life that first stirred your spiritual awakening?

YOGI AARON: It was probably less of a lightning bolt and more like a quiet whisper that wouldn’t go away. I remember being 18, standing on the edge of a lake in northern Canada, feeling this ache inside me, like there had to be something more than just surviving.

That moment, surrounded by silence, totally alone, was the first time I truly felt my spirit stir. Not in a religious sense, but in a “something inside me is ready to wake up” kind of way. That’s when yoga started calling.

YT: You’ve practiced yoga across oceans, mountains, and cities how has your relationship with nature shaped your personal practice and teaching philosophy?

YA: Nature is my original teacher. Before I knew what yoga even was, I was learning about presence, rhythm, and stillness from the natural world. Mountains taught me how to stand tall, rivers how to flow without resistance.

When I teach now, whether it’s breathwork or AYAMA, I’m always referencing those primal teachings because they remind us of who we are underneath all the noise.

YT: Many yogis come to the mat seeking relief from pain. What was the turning point when your own pain became a catalyst for redefining your teaching?

YA: For years, I thought pain was something to push through. I was hyper-flexible, always chasing the next posture, until one day… my back just gave out. It wasn’t a dramatic injury it was a slow collapse. And it forced me to face the fact that the very thing I loved, yoga, was hurting me.

That’s when I began studying muscle activation and eventually created AYAMA.

I had to rewire everything I thought I knew. It wasn’t easy. But that pain? It ended up being the greatest teacher of all.

YT: You’ve often spoken about “flipping the script” on flexibility. What are some myths around stretching that yoga students and teachers need to reconsider?

YA: The biggest myth is that more flexibility equals better health. It doesn’t. In fact, for many people, especially women, over-stretching leads to instability, injury, and chronic pain. We need strength. Stability. Integration.

Not just bendiness. AYAMA works with the nervous system and muscular system to create sustainable strength. That’s the real goal not just to touch your toes, but to walk pain-free and live fully.

YT: Your method AYAMA feels like a blend of science, subtle energy, and deep listening. How would you explain it to someone new?

YA: At its core, AYAMA is about turning muscles back on. When a muscle isn’t functioning properly, other parts of the body compensate. That’s where pain begins. AYAMA uses breath, intention, and precise movement to re-activate those dormant muscles. And the magic is it’s subtle but powerful. People stand up after one session and say, “I feel like myself again.” That’s the goal. To return to wholeness.

YT: You’ve led yoga teacher trainings across the globe. What’s one inner shift you see most often in your students?

YA: I see them remember who they are. Like, really remember. Not the version of themselves that the world expects but the version that’s been quietly waiting underneath.

There’s always a moment, usually after a deep practice or a long-held breath, when someone just melts. The armor drops. And from that place, everything changes. They teach differently. They live differently.

Ready to experience this shift for yourself? Learn more about Yogi Aaron’s immersive 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica where deep practice meets deep transformation.

YT: After years of running a yoga center in Costa Rica, you’re now in a season of letting go. What has this transition taught you about non-attachment?

YA: It’s been humbling. Building that space was a dream and releasing it is an even bigger one. I’m realizing that dharma isn’t always about holding on. Sometimes it’s about knowing when to step aside so the next chapter can unfold. Letting go doesn’t mean failure it means trusting the evolution of your own journey.

YT: Yoga is often viewed as a practice of surrender. But you teach it as a path of strength. How do those ideas coexist in your work?

YA: Beautiful question. I think real surrender requires strength. Not the brute kind but the kind that lets you face discomfort, own your story, and choose differently. In AYAMA, we don’t collapse into poses we rise into them. That shift, from passive to active, changes everything. It teaches you to live with intention instead of reaction.

YT: You’ve been through some deep personal transformations. What advice would you give someone who feels stuck or disconnected?

YA: Start small. One breath. One walk. One truth spoken out loud. You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Just find one place where you can say, “I choose myself today.” That’s how freedom begins. And from there, the path unfolds.

Closing

Yogi Aaron’s story is a reminder that yoga isn’t just about movement it’s about reclamation. Of strength. Of truth. Of the freedom to live unbound.

As he enters a new chapter, letting go of the retreat center that shaped so much of his teaching, he carries with him not just years of experience, but the raw, unfiltered wisdom of a life lived fully, fiercely, and from the heart.

Curious if this path is for you? Discover what awaits inside his 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica a program that empowers you to embody your fullest potential, on and off the mat.