Alexis Martin

As founder/director of Prenatal to the Cradle, Yoga Alliance certified E-RYT500, mother, doula and musician, she shows us what it means to really be alive. She is known for her uplifting energy, fun-loving attitude, warm contagious smile and animated laughter. Her deep and integrated knowledge of the human body and spirit allow her to connect with any student and cater to any body type. She truly makes yoga available to everyone. Be prepared to sweat, grow, breathe, and fly because every moment is a chance to be infinite. Also known as the "flo-rida", Alexis's asana sequences are full of challenge, playfulness, and creativity. You will be right side up AND right side down in every class she leads. She has a very hands-on approach, and gives personalized information and adjustments to each student so that they may build a foundation based in impeccability of alignment. In addition to the invigorating flow, her messages lead to a place of self-inquiry, acceptance, and whole-hearted living. It is nothing less than a dynamic combination. Experiencing more than just a typical asana class, students leave the yoga room feeling vulnerably empowered and craving the next chance to get on their mat or meditation cushion. Storytelling and sharing life experience set a platform from which Alexis opens her heart & you truly meet the warm transparent spirit that lies within. She also loves to intertwine messages from the yoga sutras, 8 limb path, and insight from her own teachers, in order to support living a meaningful and satisfying life. She attributes her encouraging style of teaching to that of her mentors such as Seane Corn, Brock & Krista Cahill, Krishna Das, Dice Iida-Klein & Briohny Smyth, Anodea Judith, Marianne Williamson, Phillip Askew and Bryan Kest. After Alexis' daughter, Emerson, was born in September of 2009, she discovered her calling to work with women through their birthing journey. Ever the dedicated student, Alexis devoured every scrap of information regarding pregnancy, birth and mothering while carrying, birthing and raising Emerson. It was this experience that opened her eyes to the deeper understanding of wordless compassion and selfless service that motherhood brings. It also opened her eyes to the understanding that yoga can be part of anybody's life, especially the lives of women going through the birthing process, which inspired her to pursue certification in prenatal yoga. Following the integration of birthing into her yogic practice, Alexis decided to take her practice off her mat and into the birthing world as a doula. Her passion for support and encouraging women to use own their intuition and embrace their birthing choices has been a driving force for every birth yet. "There is nothing more magical than being invited into the intimate moment when a new mother receives her precious miracle for the first time. Many believe that when you see the face of your child for the first time, it is like seeing the face of God. For a doula, it is when we see the mother." Alexis is currently based in Ormond Beach, Florida, has taught thousands of hours of yoga since her first yoga class in 2006, and is a certified 500ERYT with Yoga Alliance. She offers prenatal and postnatal yoga classes, women's intuition series, journey through breath and sound, detox classes, yoga asana (posture) clinics, and advanced yoga anatomy classes. Alexis is a full-fledged lover of life and everything that comes along with it. When she isn't teaching or practicing yoga, she is adventurously traveling the world, savoring food, marveling at nature, being silly with friends, or stealing kisses from her husband and daughter. You will often find her with her hands down and heels up! Alexis finds inspiration and beauty everywhere she goes and in everything she does. Most importantly, she believes that yoga is a journey that allows all of us to live and practice our yoga on and off our mat daily so that we may be the change we wish to see in the world.