JACOB FISHMAN

Coach, Yoga Instructor, Routesetter

For Jacob Fishman, a childhood of year-round soccer in the Phoenix heat led to chronic back pain by the age of sixteen. Fortunately, two things happened: his mom convinced him to take a yoga class, and a combination of boredom and Phoenix weather drove him into the Phoenix Rock Gym. A couple months of climbing and yoga and he was pain free. Both experiences, climbing and yoga, have been an inextricable part of his life ever since. 

On the wall, Jacob loves all kinds of climbing, but long hard in-a-day missions, linkups, and simul-climbing romps are definitely his favorite. Locally, he feels it is important to let everyone know that he prefers Trout Creek over Smith, although Smith is growing on him. 

On the mat, Jacob's personal practice is slow and meditative; intent on using movement as a way to work with awareness. In class, expect to spend substantially more time focused on alignment, mind-body connection, and connection with the world around us than being able to put your foot behind your head while you balance on your hands. Often class will include a variety of practices (partner poses, chanting, breathwork, meditation), as well as a healthy dose of laughter. Don't worry, you'll still get plenty of a workout. Jacob's practice draws heavily from the Anusara lineage, which he practiced for ~10 years before he moved to The Gorge in 2017, found Flow Yoga and completed his 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2022.