Mother, wife, yogini, artist, designer, student of the Italian language, animal lover…these are all ways in which to describe Shelby Makowsky.
She began her yoga journey way back in 2001, when she was pregnant with her first child. Through the years, it was a journey through various styles of yoga, and of stops and starts, pauses, peaks, valleys, and bumps. In 2013, she committed to a daily Ashtanga practice, and has never looked back. Then, in 2015, her yoga path led her to undertake an intensive apprenticeship with Krista Shirley, Level 2 authorized Ashtanga yoga teacher and founder of The Yoga Shala in Orlando, FL.
Upon graduating from the apprenticeship, she immediately began teaching several Ashtanga Mysore-style classes at The Yoga Shala, working her way up to leader of the mid-morning Mysore program as well as General Manager of the studio.
Over the years, Shelby has worked with hundreds of students of all different backgrounds, ages, physical abilities, stages of life, etc. In doing so, she has gained tremendous knowledge in making yoga accessible to all. Additionally, she enjoys the practice and sharing of Pranayama (breath work) and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
Currently, she works with students individually in private yoga sessions, something which truly gives her a great deal of both contentment and inspiration. Working in one-on-one settings allows her to completely focus on the individual in front of her, guiding that person in the way that is most suitable to them.
When not on the yoga mat or sharing the practice with someone else, you can find Shelby studying Italian, a passion that she’s had since her first trip to Italy as an art student over 30 years ago. In fact, her goal is to start leading yoga/culture/history/art/food/wine retreats to Italy.
Shelby also has an artistic eye, and worked as a graphic designer in both the publishing and advertising fields for over 10 years. This appreciation of aesthetics stems from her deep love of creating art. These days, she focuses primarily on oil painting, enjoying the subjects of nature: flowers and landscapes.
Beyond yoga, painting, design work and Italian, Shelby enjoys spending time with her family and their seven pets (two dogs and five cats — all rescues!) at their home in Orlando, FL.
