An Interview with Gregory Getsinger,
Asheville Yoga Center 200-Hour Graduate
Question : For those who may not know you yet, can you share a little about your journey into yoga and what first called you to this path? What role has yoga played in your recovery journey?
Answer: My yoga journey started when I was in treatment in 2008. I can’t remember exactly what it was that I liked about it, but it seemed to help. When I got out of treatment I used to wake up early, turn on PBS, and there was a lady there that guided yoga. I am pretty sure I had to pause for commercials, and real sure I didn’t have a lot of a clue of what I was doing, but again, it seemed to help.
Over the years I would do yoga off and on, on my own, never really feeling like I could go to a studio or classes. I was a guy that hunted, fished, watched football, played soccer, and did a lot of things that I thought didn’t “fit” with yoga. There was definitely some stigma there around telling other men that I did yoga or liked yoga, beyond the stereotypes people joke about.
I also didn’t want to feel like “that guy” going to hang out with women in yoga pants, folding into awkward positions. I was married. I had two small kids. I had work and recovery meetings. I didn’t feel like I could make time for yoga beyond what I tried to do on my own.
Fast forward to October 2022. My wife and I separated. I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. I was struggling physically, mentally, and spiritually. I was on disability, couldn’t work, was alone a lot, and questioning everything about my future. I felt lost.
I downloaded a yoga app and noticed more male presence there, which reduced some of the stigma I had built up. I started learning basic poses and simple practices, committing to consistency. I noticed my joints didn’t hurt as much. I was losing weight, gaining muscle, becoming more flexible and mobile. I was getting energy back and beginning to understand alignment and how it benefited me physically.
As my physical health improved, I could hold poses longer and breathe into discomfort. I began to notice mental clarity improving. I felt more spiritually connected and fulfilled.
Those improvements strengthened my 12-step recovery, gave me perspective in my relationships, built self-confidence, and helped me take better care of myself and my kids. I became a more present co-parent.
Eventually, I was healthy enough to return to work as an addiction counselor. The yoga instructor at my workplace unexpectedly left, and we were without an instructor. I knew enough to put on a YouTube video and co-guide a class. It was all men in early recovery from addiction. I noticed it felt easier for them to participate with me guiding. It reduced barriers and embarrassment.
After that, I started wondering: could I actually become an instructor?
Question : In what ways did your 200-hour experience at Asheville Yoga Center shape how you show up today, both as a teacher and in your own recovery?
Answer: There really aren’t enough words for this, but I’ll try.
Every time I think about answering this, I get overwhelmed in a good way. Gratitude. Love. Fond memories. Continued growth physically, mentally, spiritually, in my faith, in my 12-step recovery, in my family relationships, and in my connection to community.
When I stepped into Asheville Yoga Center, I honestly expected to feel different and not fit in. I had preconceived ideas about Asheville, about yoga, about who belongs in a studio.
I’m pretty sure the first thing we did was sing. My first thought was, “What have I gotten myself into?” Then I sang. From the very first Om, I felt a vibration and connection with people who were not like me. It bridged gaps and broke down walls I had carried for a long time. I was overwhelmed with emotion and peace. I kept singing.
In 12-step recovery we say: keep coming back, don’t leave before the miracle happens, suit up and show up, follow directions, do the next right thing for the next right reason. Practice honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness.
I see so many similarities between recovery, faith, and yoga. Embracing similarities bridges gaps. Focusing on differences builds walls.
As a teacher, I’ve worn many hats. I taught swimming from age 15 to 30. I’ve taught canoeing, ropes courses, 4-H, Boy Scouts, and coached soccer. The most important teaching I’ve done is as a dad to my two boys, Logan and Reece.
I also had years where I taught people how to practice unhealthy habits, manipulation, dishonesty, and deception because that was what had been handed down to me. I didn’t know there was another way to live until I knew.
Learning to live clean, without drugs or alcohol, opened doors to teaching healthier ways to live. That ultimately brought me deeper into yoga. I am still new to teaching yoga, but I understand what it means to practice.
In both yoga and recovery, we say we keep what we have by giving it away.
Showing up authentically means this: I want to show up for you the same way I want you to show up for me.
I want to learn how I live. Not just talking about it, but walking it. Practicing the principles. Sharing what I’ve been given so we can all stay healthy together.
Yoga and recovery are about connection — with each other and with all of life.
There’s a line from a 12-step book I’ve read for over 17 years:
“Love can be the flow of life energy from one person to another. By caring and sharing and praying for others we become a part of them. Through empathy we allow them to become a part of us.”
It wasn’t until I found yoga, and later discovered Y12SR, that those words truly came alive for me.
Question : What advice would you share with someone in recovery who is curious about trying yoga but feels uncertain or intimidated?
Answer: I always thought yoga required flexibility, balance, and a certain kind of strength — and that I had none of that.
Yoga doesn’t require those things. Practicing yoga helps you gain them.
More importantly, the physical practice opens doors for mental and spiritual healing, nervous system regulation, and flexibility and balance in those areas too.
When I practice, the noise gets quieter. There’s more clarity. There are moments of peace.
Don’t let fear, preconceived notions, societal pressures, religion, politics, or the idea that “that’s just who I am” stop you from finding a place to heal and grow.
Healing often involves discomfort. Yoga taught me how to experience discomfort on the mat, breathe through it, and find purpose on the other side.
Question: Where can our community connect with you and support your work?
Answer: My path keeps bringing me back to recovery work. I am certified as a Y12SR peer support guide and currently lead a meeting at:
With ALL Church / 4ALL Recovery Community Center
76 North Peak Street
Columbus, NC
2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month
6:00–7:30 pm
It is a yoga-based 12-step recovery meeting open to all of the A’s. You don’t need yoga or recovery experience. If you’re curious whether either could help you, this is a place to explore that.
Asheville Yoga Center is one of my happy places. I try to get there as much as I can, and I’m currently working toward my 300-hour training, so I’ll be around even more.
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