Yoga Teachers: Fletcher Johnson

Last, but certainly not least in our series on yoga teachers is Fletcher Johnson. Born and bred in Chestertown, Fletcher attended college in St. Augustine, Florida, where she majored in social sciences. She returned to Chestertown two years ago, and has been teaching at Aquafit since their grand opening last year.

SPY: What brought you to yoga?

FLETCHER: After graduation I had no idea what I wanted to do. I spent countless nights thinking that most people are miserable in their jobs. I kept asking myself: what is it that I really enjoy that maybe I can do? And I stumbled across yoga. I’d had five surgeries and been to physical therapy, and I’d been doing yoga for ten or so years before that, so I thought maybe I could give teaching yoga a shot. In the meantime, I had come back to Maryland, and Chestertown was driving me nuts! So, I started looking for yoga schools all over the United States. It turned out there was a facility called Discovery Yoga in St. Augustine, FL. Their philosophy and mission really meshed well with me, and since I had already lived there I felt really comfortable going back. I did the 200-hour basic certification course, which was about five weeks of really intensive instruction every day.

SPY: Tell me about your classes at Aquafit. What style do you teach?

FLETCHER: I was trained in Kripalu, which is basically hatha yoga, but I really take a little bit from everybody. I have a lot of materials and things I gather from.

My classes they are always different, depending on who’s there and what the weather’s like. Sometimes they might need vinyasa, and sometimes they might need more restorative. I try to accommodate everybody. Lately, I’ve had a lot of expectant mothers thrown into the mix.

SPY: Do you need special medical training to teach pregnant women?

FLETCHER: I did go through a prenatal certification program. But I’ve never had kids myself, so if somebody’s water broke on the scene I’d just be calling 911! [laughter] Certainly there are postures that are not recommended for expecting moms; I’m not going to have them doing inversions or twists. But if they feel up to getting loose a little bit, then that that’s probably good for them.

SPY: When you have a class that’s so diverse, how do you gage the level of difficulty?

FLETCHER:  It is difficult. My general rule is, if it hurts don’t do it. I tell them we’re here to relax, and your muscles can’t relax properly if you’re in pain. I ask people to respect their own personal boundaries.

SPY: What are your recommendations regarding diet?

FLETCHER: Diet is pretty controversial. My personal opinion is, try not to eat 2-3 hours before class! What they eat is up to their personal path. Not everybody’s meant to be a vegetarian, but if that works for you I’m not going to tell you not to. I try to stay with a non-processed whole foods diet. Just stay as close to all natural as possible.

SPY: What are your yoga goals?

FLETCHER: Basically, to continue my yoga education. I’m trying to go to a workshop at least quarterly. For me staying educated is how I keep it fresh, keeps me inspired, and knowing what’s going on. I actually think that Dr. Fletcher Johnson has a nice ring to it, but that’s a long way off in the future!

SPY: Medical doctor, or Ph.D.?

FLETCHER: Umm, whichever . . . I’m not sure yet. [laughter] I haven’t decided. My mom says the sign on the desk is a lot cheaper, why don’t you just think about getting one of those made instead!

SPY: What do you find rewarding about teaching yoga?

FLETCHER: Oh, I find it incredibly rewarding. I walk into class and everybody’s got their own thing going on, and then seeing them at the end of class with a smile on their face—I don’t take responsibility for it— they do the work, but just knowing that I took part in facilitating that. Knowing that I was part of that process, I think it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.

Fletcher Johnson’s training includes: Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training, www.Discoveryyoga.com; Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training, www.urbanyoga.ca, and

Karma Kids Yoga Teacher Training, www.karmakidsyoga.com.

Fletcher teaches yoga at Aquafit on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., Friday, 7:00 a.m., and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. Drop in $6, Five classes for $25, and one month unlimited classes for $40