About Thug Yoga
The origin story....
​
Sit back with a lil Hair of the Downward Dogg and LOL to the origins of G.O.A.T. yoga (the Greatest of All Time) as told by the OG thugis themselves.
​
Shout out to Nik House Media for filming and editing and our main man Max for getting drunk and telling the story. We wouldn't be here without all the homies who supported us from the begining and continue to do so. Thank you to the growing TY Crew across the globe, the yogis from India who gave us this incredible healing science and of course the world of Hip Hop which provides the heart and soul to our ritual. Namashred.
About the bawse
Courtney Smith
Founder & owner of thug yoga
​
In 2000, Courtney began practicing yoga in Australia to recover from a running injury. Amazed with the results she began experimenting with many styles of yoga including Astanga, Iyengar, Jivamutki and Yin, however she always came back to the Astanga style for its strength, flow and tradition.
​
After teaching sun salutations to her surfer friends in Spain, she decided to go for a teaching certificate. In 2006 she completed the 200hr training and was awarded a Yoga Teacher certificate in the Astanga style from Brian Cooper at Union Yoga in Edinburgh, Scotland. She has been teaching consistently since 2007 and completed countless other trainings including a Chromatic Yoga certification with Matt Giordano. Courtney’s classes draw from the Astanga vinyasa style of breath and flowing movements while adding elements of playfulness and education gained from the Chromatic style.
​
She enjoys showing students how yoga can enhance their lives by creating awareness in all activities on the mat or in the streets.