Matthew Shaw is a Vinyasa yoga teacher known for his grounded, strength-based approach and dynamically sequenced classes. Based in the US and teaching globally, he trained to 500 hours with Jason Crandell and brings a deep understanding of movement, breath, and what actually makes a challenging class feel good rather than gruelling.
He also happens to have spent twenty years as a professional opera singer (plot twist of the century!) before he ever set foot on a yoga mat. His classes have the warmth, timing, and attentiveness of someone with a real knack for making people feel seen and welcome, whatever their level.
But anyway, over to Matthew…
From the stage to the mat
My path to yoga wasn’t exactly a straight line. Before becoming a yoga teacher, I spent 20 years performing professionally as an opera singer. While teaching yoga feels very different from performing, I can see how my life as a musician shaped the teacher I’ve become. I loved the opportunity to connect with an audience, tell a story, and create a shared experience. These days, I find that same sense of connection in a different setting. Whether I’m teaching a class, leading a workshop, or hosting a retreat, I love bringing people together and creating an environment where they can learn, grow, connect, and enjoy themselves.
My teaching style blends mindful movement, strength, mobility, breath awareness, and a healthy dose of curiosity. My classes can be strong, thoughtful, and sometimes a little sweaty, but they’re never about perfection or keeping up with anyone else. Whether you’re stepping onto a yoga mat for the first time or have been practicing for decades, my goal is to create an environment where you feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged to practice in a way that works for you. I still revel in the fact that yoga allows me to be my most authentic, non-perfect self, and I want that for everyone who steps into my class.
“Matthew is a gem — his instruction and presence created a space where I felt fully supported every single day, on and off the mat.”
– Shelley, Finland Retreat Guest
Where yoga meets adventure
Travelling to somewhere wild or beautiful does something to you that’s hard to replicate at home. Retreats hold a special place in my heart because they offer something increasingly rare: time. Time to slow down. Time to explore. Time to connect.
While I love practicing yoga together each day, some of my favourite retreat moments happen outside of class. Sharing meals, exploring new places, having meaningful conversations, and laughing together until our cheeks hurt. I’ve watched complete strangers become close friends over the course of a week, and that’s one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
My hope is that every retreat feels both grounding and joyful. A chance to move, rest, explore, connect, and maybe even surprise yourself a little. Whether you join me for a class, a workshop, or an adventure halfway around the world, I hope you return home feeling a little more like yourself.
Join Matthew on a retreat
Ready to see what happens when you take the practice somewhere wild? We’re thrilled to be partnering with Matthew on a handful of wellness adventure, details below.
• Galapagos 2026: A Yoga Adventure
• Brazil 2027: Slow Days on Bahia’s Wild Coast
• Patagonia 2027: Into the Peaks and Glaciers
• Patagonia 2027: Wild Peaks and Glaciers
For more about Matthew, and to try a free class (or to join one of his Livestreams), CLICK HERE.