Caley Alyssa is a Los Angeles-based movement teacher, breathwork enthusiast, and self-described movement junkie. Blending ancient wisdom with modern functional movement, she’s spent years helping people move better and feel more alive. Below, Caley talks about the evolution of her teaching, the neuroscience of movement, and why rest might be the most powerful skill she's practicing right now.
How did you discover yoga, and what was your journey from student to teacher?
I didn’t just “find” yoga; I crashed into it during a period of total burnout. It started as a way to fix my back and ended up fixing my life. The shift from student to teacher happened when I realized I couldn’t keep this magic to myself.
How has your teaching evolved over the years, and what continues to inspire and inform it?
My teaching has shifted from “perfect alignment” to “perfect feeling.” I’m inspired by the resilience of my students and the way movement can shift a person’s entire state of being in just 60 minutes.
I’m also secretly a massive nerd for neuroscience. I’ll come for the flow, but I’ll stay for the data on how movement re-wires our brain.
What do you love most about being in the role of teacher?
I love witnessing the “aha” moments when a student realizes they are capable of more than they thought. Helping people reclaim their power is what keeps this work deeply meaningful.
What does a strong practice mean to you right now, and how do you reconnect when you're feeling stuck or out of balance?
Right now, strength is resilience. It’s not about how long I can hold a handstand, it’s about how quickly I can find my center when life gets chaotic.
When I’m feeling stuck, I go outside. Touching the earth or just changing my physical environment helps me shake off the mental cobwebs and find my rhythm again.
How do you stay connected to your own movement practice while supporting your students?
I treat my own practice like a non-negotiable meeting with myself. Even if it’s just 15 minutes of intuitive movement before a class, I have to fill my own cup before I can pour into others.
What are you currently learning or letting go of in this period of your life?
I’m unlearning the need to be “productive” every second. I’m leaning into the beauty of the pause and learning that rest is actually a high-performance skill.
What's your go-to Manduka product?
The eKO® mat. It has that natural rubber soul and a grip that never quits, which is essential when things get sweaty.
Connect with Caley
Instagram: @caleyalyssa
Take class with Caley at Primal Moves in Venice, California.
