Alicia J Smith

I found yoga during a season of my life when I was searching for both strength and steadiness. What started as a way to reconnect with my body quickly became something much deeper. It became a practice that challenged me physically, grounded me emotionally, and taught me how powerful it can be to simply breathe and stay present.

Uptown Yoga is where my practice truly took root. It is where I learned to show up as I was, where I completed my 200-hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training in 2013, and where I began teaching with the belief that yoga should feel both intentional and accessible. I was drawn to vinyasa for its balance of movement and mindfulness, and I still love creating classes that invite students to explore strength, mobility, and breath without taking ourselves too seriously.

After stepping away from teaching for a period following the loss of my dad in 2021, yoga remained my anchor. It became the space where I focused on healing physically, emotionally, and mentally, and rediscovered why this practice has always felt like home. Returning to teaching feels like a natural extension of that journey.

My classes are breath-led and grounded in presence, but there is always room for lightness and joy. I believe yoga can be challenging and playful, focused and freeing. You will be encouraged to listen to your body, try new things, laugh when it gets hard, and leave feeling more connected than when you arrived.

I am grateful to be back on the mat and especially grateful to be teaching in the space that shaped my path.