interview: Finding Strength Through Stillness with author Tommie Burch
“If I had a deeper appreciation for myself — my body, my brain, and what I had to offer – it would’ve changed everything.”
When I interviewed Tommie Burch, I set out to learn about her journey to becoming a yoga instructor, her new children’s book, and how she approaches mindfulness. What I didn’t expect was to be so moved that I’d find myself at her 6AM hot yoga class the next day.
Looking back, it’s clear—if I had walked away from our conversation without feeling compelled to explore the world of yoga, I’d have completely missed the essence of what Burch so passionately believes in. The interview went far beyond a discussion of poses and the physicality of yoga—it was about something much more profound. And I couldn’t stop thinking about it afterward.
Burch’s path to yoga wasn’t a straight one. Before really diving into the practice, she shared that she was going through a difficult time. When I asked if it was okay to share this part of her journey, she said, “Yes—I want anyone in a shitty place to know it can get better. And we aren't tied to past versions of ourselves… I was a mess—really bad body image issues; I had an eating disorder; I was self-medicating; I was anxious. I was just not in a good place.” But then came a pivotal moment in Warrior II pose.
“For the first time—honestly probably since I was 12 or 13—I looked in the mirror and I was like, ‘I like how that looks,’” she said. “And it wasn’t because I liked the way my arms looked or my abs…it wasn’t about that. I looked fucking strong…and I was like, ‘Okay…I like this. I like this, and I recognize now that there’s something deeper than just the physical part of it.’ I felt strong, and I liked that… it was special to me.”
From there, things really began to fall into place. Burch had some happy-tear moments early on, which she described as huge emotional releases and something she’d never experienced before. “That’s when I really started noticing how deep this mind-body practice is — so much deeper than just going and getting a workout in.”
Teaching, she said, felt like a calling. “It lit me up,” she said of leading her first class. It was then that she knew teaching yoga was what she was meant to be doing. Burch became a certified yoga instructor in 2021, diving headfirst into what would soon become her life’s passion—creating transformative experiences through movement, mindfulness, and community. While getting her various certifications, including prenatal yoga, Pilates, and barre fitness, she was also getting her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at Empire State College.
Combining her love for children and movement, Burch began offering yoga classes for kids. Her goal? To help them cultivate a mind-body connection. Themes like “A Trip to the Jungle” or “A Trip to the Ocean” keep her young students engaged, but the greater message is always about fostering self-love and confidence.
“I want to create this sense of confidence in these kids. I want people to start as early as they can, teaching their kids to love themselves and be grateful for their bodies,” she said. “The physical body is a huge miracle, and I want to inspire people to take care of the bodies they live in, because that's how you can deliver the most important thing—your gift, your talent, your spark—you have to have that vessel to deliver your light.”
Burch shared that she thinks it would’ve changed a lot for her, had she had this kind of guidance early on. “If I had a deeper appreciation for myself—my body, my brain, and what I had to offer…it would’ve changed everything.”
This belief inspired Burch’s debut children’s book, Being Me is Special: A Celebration of Movement and Mindfulness Through Yoga. The book, beautifully illustrated by Nate Myers and releasing on December 31, 2024, takes children through a head-to-toe yoga practice, pairing each posture with messages of gratitude, such as: “I love my smart head for all it does and all it knows. I say thank you to my head when I practice rabbit pose.”
Burch views her book as part of a larger mission. “I want to help people feel what movement, breath, and mindfulness can do for them,” she said. She’s already making strides in schools, where she hopes to integrate mindfulness into the curriculum. The takeaway, she hopes, is that kids learn that their bodies are special, but not the greatest part of them—the greatest part is something you can’t even see.
Less than 12 hours after my interview with Burch, I pulled into Studio 4 in Schenectady for her hot yoga class. I was tired of course, but excited to challenge myself and tap into the spiritual and emotional side of what she had described.
Before class began, I struck up a conversation with one of Burch’s regulars, Caleb Nelson, who’s been attending her class for several months. When he first started, he said he was impressed by how intentional Burch was with her teaching practice.
“She thinks a lot about not only the theme of the class, but the music and everything that comes with it,” Nelson said. “It’s cohesive… It's thoughtful. She ties in all the senses… it’s a holistic approach and that’s what I really enjoy.”
When I asked Nelson how he usually feels after leaving Burch’s classes, his answer echoed much of what she had shared with me the night before. “I feel calmer, more reflective, and a little more thoughtful about my day,” he said. And from the moment the class started, I felt it, too—the grounding warmth of the room and the way the music seemed to carry the flow effortlessly—it was powerful.
As I moved through the flow, I felt both challenged and at peace. By the end of the hour, I was drenched—both in sweat and a sense of accomplishment. I did it. And even if subtly, I felt more connected to myself. And that’s the magic of Tommie Burch. So much more than a yoga instructor—she is a guide, a healer, and an advocate for self-love and mindfulness.
Whether on the mat or through the pages of her book, Burch is helping people of all ages connect with their inner strength. And if her 6AM class taught me anything, it’s this: Taking the first step—no matter how small—can lead to something transformative.
Being Me is Special: A Celebration of Movement and Mindfulness Through Yoga is available 12/31 for purchase on Amazon.