If you’ve taken a free yoga class on YouTube in the past couple of years, there’s a good chance you did downward dog or crow pose with instruction from Austin, Texas-based YouTube personality Adriene Mishler. Mishler has been running her free channel, Yoga with Adriene, since 2012 and, thanks to her approachable teaching style, calm demeanor, and a pandemic that sent everyone scrambling for at-home workout videos, she now has over 10 million subscribers.
Mishler’s goal isn’t to be a global yoga celebrity (although she is); instead, the former trained actor and Adidas ambassador wants to make the practice available and accessible to everyone. She teaches yoga for chefs, teens, writers, gardeners, those struggling with social anxiety—basically, it’s yoga for the people, and none of it feels preachy or exclusive or like you need to know anything about it before you click play.
She’s also the co-owner of Practice Yoga Austin, a studio where you can donate anonymously or not at all, depending on what you’re able to contribute. Mishler spends much of the year traveling around the world teaching classes and hosting retreats for thousands of aspiring yogis, but she loves coming back to her hometown. We asked her for some of her favorite places around Austin.
Urban Adventure
“The loop around Lady Bird Lake, referred to as the hike-and-bike trail, has Austin soul. I love to wake up, put on comfy clothes, get a coffee, and to take my dog, Benji, for a walk there. That is an ideal morning—to breathe in nature right in the center of the city.”
Neighborhood
“Growing up in Austin, I have special connections with several neighborhoods and the different stages that they served in my life,” Mishler says. “Right now, I am loving East Central Austin for its growing scene of local businesses, artists, and the farmers’ market at Mueller. It’s close to the Hike-and-Bike Trail, and a zip to central, South Congress, downtown, and even the west side.”
Workout
“I love being outside for cardio and mindful movement in nature,” Mishler says. “That, and practicing yoga at my east side studio Practice Yoga Austin, as well as taking breath-centered pilates at The Peach House.”
Happy Hour
“I love a spontaneous outdoor glass of wine with a loved one at Justine’s or Birdie’s. Both have a great selection and are run by beautiful souls who care about the earth and our community,” Mishler says.
Coffee Shop
“Thunderbird Coffee and Greater Goods Coffee, both on the east side of Austin. My go-to order is an eight-ounce Americano and both spots serve it right and include good community energy with the service,” Mishler says. “I also enjoy breakfast at my longtime favorite vegetarian spot, Bouldin Creek Cafe. I have the Ren breakfast tacos with a potato hash cake for breakfast, but really the whole menu is good. Don’t forget to treat yourself to a cool hibiscus tea.”
Tacos
“Nixta Taqueria is operated by a pair of straight-up brilliant humans, and the food is somehow a blend of non-pretension and brilliant works of art. I love the vegetarian tacos that rotate, as well as the breakfast taco, obviously” Mishler says.
Souvenirs
“Take Heart is my go-to place for a gift for a friend or loved one,” Mishler says. “It’s a beautiful curation of amazing product that feels like it really supports and honors the makers. I’m able to find things for all ages and all types here.”
Weekend Detour
“I still love to take it out west,” Mishler says. “We go to West Texas at least once a year. It is a bit of a drive, but it’s exactly the drive that does it. A chance to slowly unplug, look up, out, and appreciate the sky.”