Matthew Tift, PhD, RYT-500
I teach yoga that helps people feel strong, steady, and calm in everyday life. Many of the students I work with feel tight, stressed, or worn down. Yoga gives us simple tools to breathe, move, and slow down, so we can feel more present with ourselves and the people we care about.
My classes are gentle and welcoming. I focus on healthy movement, breathing, and mindfulness. You don’t need to be flexible, fit, or experienced. You only need to show up and be curious.
Yoga is more than poses. It’s a way of living with kindness, patience, and honesty. These skills can help us at home, at work, online, and in our relationships. When we learn to pause and pay attention, we can respond with more care and less stress.
Currently, I am:
- Yoga Teacher, The Marsh and Minnesota Arboretum
- Host, Pretty Good Meditation podcast
- Lead Engineer, Lullabot
Previously, I was:
- Board Chair, onelove.yoga (yoga in schools)
- Prison Meditation Group Facilitator, Minnesota Department of Corrections
- Visiting Assistant Professor of Musicology, University of Iowa
My credentials include:
- PhD, Musicology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- RYT-500 Kripalu Yoga Teacher
- Eagle Scout
I live near Minneapolis, Minnesota, and I’m grateful for the wisdom I’ve received from my teachers around the world. These days, I mostly play harmonium, though I’ve been playing violin since age 5. I love any opportunity to play string quartets with my wife (on viola) and our two children (on cello and violin).
More information in my full CV.
