Tricia Mackechnie

For more than 12 years, yoga has been a constant in my life. What began simply as an alternative way to stay fit quickly became something much more meaningful.  I came to SWEAT when it originally opened and have enjoyed being part of the community.

Throughout my career as a senior technology executive, I found yoga to be a place where I could decompress, reconnect and simply be present. I loved yoga to ease into my day but cherished it even more at the end of one—a chance to leave the demands of work behind, focus on my breath and find my way back to myself.

Over time, I began to realize that some of yoga’s most important lessons didn’t end when I stepped off my mat. The practice taught me about presence, self-awareness, resilience and the value of creating space before responding. What began as physical practice gradually became a way of approaching both my professional and personal life. I was surprised by how much I learned on my mat that I could take off my mat - and that realization was transformative for me.

At a pivotal point in my career, I entered yoga teacher training not with the intention of becoming a teacher, but as an opportunity for self-discovery. After decades in technology leadership and experiencing the effects of burnout, I wanted to step away from the constant pace of achievement and explore a more fundamental question: How do I want to live my life going forward?

Teacher training became much more than I expected. As someone who has always loved coaching, mentoring and helping others discover their potential, I found that teaching yoga felt like a natural extension of who I am and, ultimately, a calling.

My approach to teaching is grounded in authenticity, compassion and connection over perfection. I strive to create a welcoming and supportive space where students can move, breathe, challenge themselves and be present. Most of all, I hope my students discover something through their own practice that they can carry with them when they step off their mat and into their lives.

When I’m off my mat, I love traveling and spending time with family and friends. I’m usually planning my next vacation and consider myself a traveler at heart, always open to the next adventure. I’m also an avid reader—often with several books in progress - and an enthusiastic skier who is happiest when there’s fresh snow on the slopes. Most recently, I’ve taken up golf, giving me another way to spend time outdoors, embrace a new challenge and, like yoga, practice patience along the way.