Can you start by introducing yourself—your name, title, and how you got started
Teaching yoga to student athletes?
My name is Audrey Hamilton, and I’m the Founder of AudiMae Yoga. I first began
teaching yoga by visiting inner-city schools, offering students tools to help release
mental stress during State Testing. One afternoon, as I was leaving a session, I was
introduced to the high school football coach. He connected with the mental
component behind my why—specifically how yoga supports mental health and
emotional regulation in students. We scheduled a time for me to assess his athletes,
and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Seven seasons later, I’m still working
with his team, helping student athletes strengthen not just their bodies, but their focus,
resilience, and mental clarity as well.
What inspired you to focus on working with high school and athletic teams
specifically?
What inspired me to focus on working with high school athletes is rooted in my
own experience as a student athlete. I remember making up my mind early on that I
wanted to be excellent—fully committed to the sport and the process. But then I faced a
setback: a slight knee strain during practice kept me from playing at the start of the
season. That was tough.
Even though I was young and my interests started to shift, I found myself drawn to
practices that helped me stay present—and that’s when yoga entered my life. It gave
me what I needed both physically and mentally during a time when I felt sidelined. That
experience stuck with me.
So now, when I work with high school athletes, I do it with the belief that if yoga helped
me then—and continues to help me now—it can benefit others. It’s about
giving student athletes more than just physical tools; it’s about giving them mental and
emotional support they can carry both on and off the field.
What are some common misconceptions that athletes—or coaches—have about
yoga before they begin the practice?
There are a few common misconceptions I hear from athletes and coaches before they begin practicing yoga. One I hear a lot is, “Oh, yoga is intense!” And just as often, I’ll hear the opposite—“Yoga? That’s easy…”The truth is, both can be true. It all depends on your mindset going in. I always emphasize the importance of setting your intention before class. Like anything in life, what you choose to pour into the practice is exactly what you’ll get out of it. Some also assume yoga is only about flexibility or stretching, but it’s so much more than that. For athletes especially, it’s a powerful tool for mental focus, injury prevention, recovery, and learning how to breathe through pressure—on the field and off.
What changes do you notice in athletes after they’ve gone through your
program—either physically, mentally, or emotionally?
The growth I see in athletes after going through my program is truly leaps and bounds.
Physically, there’s more control, balance, and awareness in how they move. But it’s the
mental and emotional shifts that stand out most—there’s a noticeable increase in
confidence, clarity, and a deeper sense of emotional awareness. The goal is always
what the athlete sets for themselves. It’s always exciting to see when the goal is met or
exceeded. One of the most rewarding moments for me is when former students come home from
college and stop by class. Hearing them say they’ve kept stretching, I found a yoga
class at school, or that they miss the environment we created, means everything. It
shows me that yoga leaves a lasting impression—it gives them something to carry with
them, a reminder to pause, breathe, and keep going.
Have any athletes or teams shared powerful feedback that stuck with you?
Absolutely—every session begins and ends with feedback. I make it a priority to tailor
each class to the needs of the athletes or group, so hearing their responses in real time
is powerful. When they hop up after class and say things like, “I needed that,” or “Can
We do that pose again next time?”—That kind of feedback lets me know the work is
landing where it needs to. It also helps shape the next session, keeping the experience
relevant and personal for them.
What’s been the most meaningful outcome of your work so far?
Honestly, seeing full participation. It’s not easy to get large groups—especially teenage
boys—to slow down for 60 minutes. So when they give themselves permission to
breathe, move with intention, and be present, it’s an indescribable feeling. Pure
joy. It means they’re not just showing up physically—they’re mentally and emotionally
tuning in, too. That’s the real win.
How does practicing yoga support student athletes’ mental wellness in
particular?
Trauma can happen both on and off the field. Whether it’s a physical injury from last
season or something that happened years ago, the body and mind remember. Yoga
creates a space where student athletes can begin to trust themselves again—
physically, mentally, and emotionally.
It’s a chance to rebuild confidence in real time, and that’s not just limited to sports. Many
students are dealing with difficult or unpredictable circumstances in their personal lives.
Yoga gives them space when they need it most—not only offering tools for coping but
also helping them pause and ask: Does this deserve my attention right now?
It teaches them how to slow things down, breathe through the moment, and respond
rather than react. That kind of self-awareness is powerful—not just in athletics, but in
life.
What benefits have you seen related to stress, focus, or emotional regulation?
Throughout 10 to 15 one-hour sessions, I’ve learned how important it is to be
both honest and impactful during that 60-minute window. With student athletes,
attention spans vary, so I measure progress by how present they are in class—how
they respond, breathe, move, and settle into the practice.
The most visible benefits are often in their focus and emotional regulation. When I see a
room full of student athletes, especially teenagers, truly engaged—breathing with
intention, moving mindfully, and allowing themselves to slow down—that’s when I know
The work is sinking in. Yoga becomes more than just stretching—it’s a tool they use to
release stress, refocus, and reset in real time.
What has been your favorite part of the work you’re doing, and what keeps
You coming back to it?
Have you ever worked on a jigsaw puzzle? All the shapes and sizes need to fit together
to create an extraordinary picture or story that flows. That’s what this work feels like to
me. Working with these young athletes and their coaches gives me a real sense that it’s
bigger than just me. I truly enjoy being a part—or a piece—of their journey.
Seeing how everything starts to come together by the end of our yoga sessions, when there’s finally a flow, reminds me why I keep coming back.
One breath at a time.