MY why | how + mindset
‘photo: Beau P. Dobrikov
Hi, I’m Teri!
I’m a visual artist with a passion for systems of alignment, structure and body. The core of each of my creative practices is to incorporate the architecture of the 8-Limbs of Yoga philosophy as an outline to instill the tenets of connection to self and others for a valuable, and grounded foundation for facing life’s challenges.
For me, both yoga and my art practice are a base for building trust in yourself, and extracting value in daily life.
I guide people in creative ways to explore, stretch, twist and weave the pieces of their personal experiences— for celebrating themselves and benefiting from their individual strengths.
Originally an Architecture major at The Cooper Union, I transferred to the School of Art, graduating from with a BFA in painting. Stretching the boundaries of my art practice, I combined breath work in a gestural drawing exercise that I created for a Creative Arts Therapies thesis, (at The New School) which unexpectedly inspired a career in yoga. Today, as a professional yoga teacher (500-RYT), I lead group and private sessions. Beyond my personal experience with breast cancer in 2016, I certified with yoga4cancer to teach oncology yoga to other survivors. In 2019, former client, Robin Roberts, featured my yoga4cancer class on Good Morning America. As the final owner of Park Slope Yoga Center, founded in 1999— I’m proud to have begun nurturing the yoga community there in 2010. As a result of Covid-19, I closed my studio business in 2021 to focus more on my personal practices. While I continue to teach group classes, privately and corporate group Vinyasa classes in Brooklyn, I am passionate about the oncology yoga class that I teach for survivors at Maimonides Cancer Center.
Also, as part of the faculty at Playwrights Horizons Theater School, Tisch/NYU, I’m thrilled to be teaching Yoga + Somatics within such a rich collective of creatives. With strong attention on systems of alignment, structure and body, the core of my process incorporates the architecture of the 8-Limbs of Yoga philosophy as an outline to instill the tenets of connection to self and others for a valuable, and grounded foundation for college artists moving into adulthood and facing life’s challenges. As a result, students come to celebrate themselves and benefit from the strengths, and creative resources that they already are. I love what I get to do!
Teri Gandy-Richardson, artist, 650 YTT + certified senior oncology yoga teacher, lives + works in Brooklyn, NY