About Us

 I broke my back in a training accident in 2015 and spent the subsequent weeks on the couch, unable to move. I pushed through depression, pain, and physical debilitation before eventually finding sanctuary in the Yoga studio.

At first, I joined the practice to cope with the incessant back pain. One day per week of practice, however, turned into two or three. Yoga, combined with meditation and mindfulness, turned my entire life around and eased a great deal of my physical and mental trauma.

I was hooked. I fell in love with what the practice did for my body and mind. Even better, I was welcomed into the community with no judgement. I could walk into the studio and hear someone greet me with my name, get a hug from my teacher, and sweat it out with my homies in class. It was like I found a new family. So naturally, I wanted to spread that stoke.

After attending a women's focused yoga festival a couple years back, it clicked. There was not one brand there targeting dudes! So that locked it in--I started American Yogi with my brother the next week.

We talked about the need to raise awareness in the veteran community, provide a vehicle for healing, and remove the stigma from men who practice Yoga. The rest really just fell into place.

Our goal is to help men and women find a vehicle to peace. Not everyone is instantly drawn to yoga nor does everyone understand the amazing effects that it can have on your life. So what we're trying to do is make the practice accessible.
It's for the veterans, the 9 to 5'ers, the moms, the dads, and any seekers of peace.
 
We pride ourselves in never compromising who we are--every design comes from a place within me. Our supporters are retired CAG, PJs, teachers, doctors, lawyers, studio owners, veterans from every service, and really just about any walk of life.
 
American Yogi is more than a t-shirt brand. It's a movement, a family, and a community. It's a piece of my soul that I put out to the world to let them know that we're all struggling, and we're here to help each other through it.
 
All printing is done locally by an old school screen printer--not a machine. He makes every stencil by hand, lays the paint and scrapes it across each shirt right here in North Carolina.
 

What started as a shirt business has become a family. A community of like-minded individuals all seeking the same thing: peace.

Thank you for taking a moment to read a little bit about how we came about. We're excited to help do for others what Yoga has done for us, and to embrace all the good that our practice holds. 

JOIN THE MINDFUL MOVEMENT

 

While you're here, check out the original American Yogi ambassador, Clay Merritt, at: www.claymerrittyoga.com

 

OUTREACH

SOFLETE: 

https://soflete.com/blogs/knowledge/the-long-road-to-om

SPOTTER UP: 

https://spotterup.com/american-yogi-active-duty-soldier-owned-and-operated/