Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Beauty & Wellness Fitness & Wellness Yogi Adriene Mishler Wants You to Find Joy and Acceptance Through Movement By Melissa Ozawa Melissa Ozawa Instagram Website Melissa Ozawa is the features editor at Martha Stewart Living. Editorial Guidelines Published on September 11, 2020 10:10AM EDT Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Courtesy of YWA In 2012, a young actress sporting hand-me-down leggings and bangs she'd cut herself began filming and uploading yoga videos online. The Texas-born, hatha-trained Adriene Mishler was hardly the first to do so, but her warm, approachable, even goofy manner stood out. She offered a free alternative to expensive classes—no judgment, no distracting chatter. "I just wanted to help my friends and family feel good," she says of the early days of her budding career. "I was never afraid to do things my own way, which I learned from my mom, a Mexican-American woman who worked her way up to become head of the theater department at her university." Today, more than eight million YouTube subscribers salute the sun in hundreds of sessions: Some are tailored to nurses, gardeners, or the broken-hearted; others target lower-back pain or stress. Most are shot in her serene dining room, a space she shares with towering houseplants and Benji, her blue-heeler-mix pup. Whether traveling the world to teach workshops or walking in her hometown, Mishler wears clothing from independent designers. "I like things that are timeless and well-made," she says. Her mission—to provide as much free, high-quality yoga to as many people as possible—remains equally unfussy. "The hardest part is just showing up. But you'll come away with a sliver of love, forgiveness, and acceptance for yourself," says Mishler, who opens each class the same way: "Hop into something comfy, and let's get started." Here, she shares a few of her favorite things—many of which are items to get comfortable in, from a dress-up or dress-down slip dress that's as good for a night out as it is for travel to the sneakers she wears on her daily run. 01 of 16 Favorite Poems Courtesy of Amazon "I keep this book by my bedside and read from it often. Every poem feels like a treat." Shop Now: Devotions by Mary Oliver, $9.65, amazon.com. 02 of 16 Silk Scrunchie Courtesy of Miranda Bennett "She does the most beautiful, mission-driven work for women and the earth. I wear her tunic dresses, too." Shop Now: Miranda Bennett Silk-Noil Scrunchie, $28, shopmirandabennett.com. 03 of 16 Sustainable Slip Dress Courtesy of Organic by John Patrick "One of my staples. It's great for layering and travel—I dress it up with heels, or down with sneakers or boots. I admire the designer John Patrick because he focused on making sustainability cool early on." Shop Now: Organic by John Patrick Bias Long Slip Dress in Salvia, $189, organicbyjohnpatrick.com. 04 of 16 Epsom Salts Peter Ardito "To unwind, I take long walks with Benji and soak in a hot bath with this." Shop Now: Dr. Teal's Pure Epsom Salts, $4 for four pounds, target.com. 05 of 16 Take-Everywhere Notebook Courtesy of Moleskine "I carry a black one with me at all times." Shop Now: Moleskine Classic Pocket Notebook, $16, staples.com. 06 of 16 Red Lip Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics "I stick to natural lips most days, but go with red ones on Christmas and whenever I'm in Mexico City." Shop Now: MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Red Rock, $19, maccosmetics.com. 07 of 16 Essential Polish Courtesy of OPI "Since I do so much shooting, I make sure to have color on my fingers and toes." Shop Now: OPI Nail Polish in Tiramisu for Two, $11, target.com. 08 of 16 Body Oil Courtesy of Vetiver Skin Studio "It's so pure; I just love the consistency and the smell." Shop Now: Vetiver Skin Studio Vetiver Body Oil, $42, vetiverskinstudio.com. 09 of 16 Colorful Pens Courtesy of May Day Press "They're the most colorful things on my desk." Shop Now: Mark's Tous Les Jours Ballpoint Pens, $4.50 each, mayday-press.com. 10 of 16 Yoga Mat Courtesy of Manduka "I love this mat, but when I'm on the road, I carry the lightweight Jade Voyager. It's awesome for travel. I use this or the Pro Lite at home." Shop Now: Manduka Pro Yoga Mat in Midnight, $120, manduka.com. 11 of 16 Hydrangeas Courtesy of Getty Images "I don't have a lot on my walls, but I get a pop of color from bookshelves, beautiful rugs, and flowers." 12 of 16 Favorite Vase Courtesy of Kati Von Lehman "I love to keep fresh flowers in this vessel; it's a treasure." Shop Now: Kati Von Lehman Speckled Vase, $170, kati-vonlehman.com. 13 of 16 Cold Drink Peter Ardito "There's something about taking a cold bottle on a hot walk." Shop Now: Topo-Chico Mineral Water, from $2, topochicousa.net. 14 of 16 Functional Décor Courtesy of Kalon "I'm a big fan of this sustainable company. This piece is decorative, but I use it for triceps dips and one-legged squats. It makes me feel so artist-chic!" Shop Now: Kalon Stump, from $85, kalonstudios.com. 15 of 16 Comfortable Kicks Courtesy of Adidas "Comfortable and supportive, they're my go-to for my daily run." Shop Now: Adidas Ultraboost 20 SB Sneakers, $180, dickssportinggoods.com. 16 of 16 Matcha Courtesy of Matcha Love Organic "I make a latte with this, almond milk, and a little bit of honey in the Vitamix. It's my afternoon pick-me-up." Shop Now: Matcha Love Organic Matcha, $17, matchalove.com. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit