“As the demand increased, I increased classes.  But I didn’t increase classes until I had demand.” ~ John Friend

John Friend, Anusara yoga’s Titan, held down three to four yoga classes a day at Wanderlust Festival, Cali, while serving as Mayor of the Anusara Yoga Village that he, Dave Kennedy and his community created for the festival. The village was complete with an art gallery, a tea room, yoga pavilion, acupuncture tent, a Shiva/Shakti altar and Manduka Yoga mats.

Where is My Guru and elephant correspondent, Jessica Durivage, talked with John about the noticeable increase in teachers, teacher training and yoga studios in the United States in the last 10 years.

This interview is the first of a series being produced by Where is My Guru for elephant journal, called “Does America Really Need Another Yoga Teacher?” …exploring topics such as the economics of yoga, Guru’s tradition and lineage, leadership and the explosion of yoga teacher trainings around the world.

This is part one of a two-part series with John Friend. Be on the lookout for upcoming interviews with Seane Corn, Dr. Scott Blossom, Dr. Katy Poole, Jeanie Manchester and Yogarupa Rod Stryker.

John Friend and Jessica Durivage get their “Zoolander” on for photographer Carl Kerridge