Yogi Adriene Mishler Wants You to Find Joy and Acceptance Through Movement

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.

"I keep this book by my bedside and read from it often. Every poem feels like a treat."

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"She does the most beautiful, mission-driven work for women and the earth. I wear her tunic dresses, too."

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"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."

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"To unwind, I take long walks with Benji and soak in a hot bath with this."

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"I carry a black one with me at all times."

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"I stick to natural lips most days, but go with red ones on Christmas and whenever I'm in Mexico City."

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"Since I do so much shooting, I make sure to have color on my fingers and toes."

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"It's so pure; I just love the consistency and the smell."

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"They're the most colorful things on my desk."

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"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."

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"I don't have a lot on my walls, but I get a pop of color from bookshelves, beautiful rugs, and flowers."

"I love to keep fresh flowers in this vessel; it's a treasure."

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"There's something about taking a cold bottle on a hot walk."

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"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!"

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"Comfortable and supportive, they're my go-to for my daily run."

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"I make a latte with this, almond milk, and a little bit of honey in the Vitamix. It's my afternoon pick-me-up."

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