When marketing executive Jamie Schlef Wilhelm moved to New York City from Atlanta in 2019 for a dream job with a large national retailer, she was a yogi but not yet a teacher. Looking for a way to find a network and meet people who enjoyed doing the same things she did, Schlef Wilhelm signed up for a 200-hour teacher training through Yogamaya. Little did she know it would not only open the door to friendships and a stronger practice, but a whole new professional passion, the founding of nonprofit organization Alt Yoga Collective.

“I signed up with the intention of learning something I love. And it turned into loving teaching, which was totally unexpected,” says Schlef Wilhelm.

With a mission to kick down the barriers to developing a regular yoga practice, Alt Yoga offers free, donation-based virtual classes at various levels of difficulty taught by certified yoga instructors. All class donations go toward the organization’s Mat Program, which gives mats to those in need including schools.

Here, we chat with all-around badass Schlef Wilhelm about Alt Yoga’s purpose of making yoga more accessible to everyone and yoga’s mental health benefits, something Schlef-Wilhelm has relied on during the pandemic and through grieving for recent losses.

A Q&A with Jamie Schlef Wilhelm, co-founder of Alt Yoga Collective

How has yoga helped you?

During the pandemic, it’s given me something positive to focus on. That’s so huge. The other thing is I have personally struggled with mental health, and I’m passionate about the subject. I have generalized anxiety disorder so I get anxious about anything. I’ve also lost three important people to me within 3 years, a close friend, my grandpa and my stepdad. Yoga’s breathwork helps calm the nervous system, and movement also helps. I’ve become more self-aware of what’s triggering me and a better idea of what I need to do to fix it, and it’s all through yoga. It can help people struggling with anxiety and grief; it’s been a life-changing tool for me.

What was the catalyst for launching Alt Yoga Collective?

One of the biggest catalysts was challenging the industry. Yoga is an industry that has, to be honest, a bad rap. Yoga isn’t about fancy photos on Instagram or arranging your body into difficult poses. Also, when you take an in-person yoga class, you have to drive to and from the studio and get there early so by the time you’re done, an hour class can turn into 2 hours. It’s also intimidating for someone who doesn’t know the poses or Sanskrit names, or who can’t touch her toes. And in many cases, it can be expensive.

My co-founders, Shira Miller and Rachel Saslaw, who I met in teacher training, and I made a list of the barriers to entry. Convenience, cost and intimidation. At Alt Yoga, we want to make it convenient, cost effective and inclusive. Yoga should be about finding a deeper connection with your mind and body.

Jamie Schlef Wilhelm, upside down in New York’s Central Park.

What do you love about teaching?

I love that I’m making people feel good about themselves. Everyone who finishes says they’re really happy to be doing it. That’s so fulfilling to me. I don’t get that fulfillment from the corporate world. I felt like something was missing and this is filling that gap. I love it so much.

Also, I practice teach on my husband Kevin every week. He’s getting so much better! He’s also our Alt Yoga model because we don’t have a lot of men yet. His photos get the most the likes on Instagram.

I’m currently doing a 300-hour teacher training with Yoga Oasis out of Tuscon and one of my teachers is Neda from Tough Love Yoga, whose classes I used to attend in Atlanta.

How do Alt Yoga Collective’s teachers hear about the organization?

Through word of mouth. Some of the teachers are also from our teacher training, and others have reached out. If they fit with our vibe and have our same passion, we let them teach. All are volunteering their time!

What’s your advice for those who can’t afford yoga classes or feel intimidated but want to try it out?

Come to Alt Yoga! We started a Fundamentals class once per month for beginners, which goes through the basic poses, how to do them, what the Sanskrit name is for the pose, and how to do a vinyasa. If you take this class, you can take a beginner class anywhere. We want beginners to feel comfortable and don’t want you to be intimidated. In every class, we always offer modifications so you can still get the benefits even if you’re not doing advanced poses. There’s this thing about yoga that you have to do all these crazy arm balances etcetera to get the benefit, but that’s not true.

The Alt Yoga Collective founders Rachel Saslaw, Shira Miller and Jamie Schlef Wilhelm.

Tell me about your Mat Program.

We wanted to give back. All classes are donation based, and the money goes to buying mats for people who need mats. By working with organizations like The Namaste Project and HaRT Yoga as well as responding to individuals’ requests, Alt Yoga Collective donated 140 yoga mats in the first four months of existence. We have worked with a couple of schools so far, and want to get the word out to more that we have mats to give. (Apply for one or more mats here.)

How can the greater yoga community be more inclusive?

Welcoming yogis of all races, class, genders, ages and abilities is extremely important. Making all people feel comfortable and included in classes improves the yoga community and that is what yoga is about. The true and pure teachings of yoga are about equality, self awareness and love. These teachings are what the yoga industry should strive for.

What do you think introducing yoga to kids does?

Introducing yoga to kids at a young age gives them tools to deal with emotions and what they’re going through. How to use breathing to calm down—these are skills that should be taught. Just moving is so good, too. We have a culture of kids sitting in front of iPads. Alt Yoga is adding a kids class to the mix called Family Yoga—it will be a special event for now.

Where do you see Alt Yoga Collective going?

Good question! We are just starting to talk about what it looks like when studios reopen. The Alt Yoga model still works. We want to get bigger and bigger, and make a bigger impact on challenging the industry to be different.

What’s your daily wellness routine like?

I do some sort of yoga every day, whether it’s taking a class or putting together my own class or taking our classes at Alt Yoga and supporting other teachers. I also try to go on a walk every single day just to get outside no matter how cold it is to get fresh air and vitamin D. I am starting to add meditation into my day, too. It’s a challenge for me but something that I’m really dedicated to and want to improve on. And I go to bed early now. With Covid, nothing’s open here [in NYC] to stay up late for!

Find Alt Yoga classes or donate at altyogacollective.com. Take a class with Schlef Wilhelm on Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m.