Maty Ezraty

Maty Ezraty (1963-2019) was a pioneering force who helped shape the landscape of modern yoga in the West. Born in Israel and raised in Los Angeles, she discovered yoga in the early 1980s and became one of the first women to study Ashtanga Yoga under Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, completing several advanced series under his guidance—a rare achievement that spoke to her exceptional dedication and skill. In 1987, Maty co-founded YogaWorks in Santa Monica with her husband Chuck Miller, creating what would become one of the most influential yoga studios in the Western world. What began as a small studio grew into a yoga empire that revolutionized how yoga was taught in America, developing the YogaWorks Teacher Training program that has certified thousands of instructors who now teach globally. Maty was known as a "teacher of teachers"—her rigorous, precise, yet deeply compassionate approach to instruction created a methodology that blended Ashtanga's discipline with accessibility and inclusivity. She insisted on high standards while remaining deeply human, understanding that every body is different and every student has their own path. Her influence extended far beyond her studio walls. The countless teachers she trained carry her wisdom into studios across the globe, creating a ripple effect of quality instruction that continues to touch millions of lives. The New York Times recognized her as someone "whose yoga methods have had global reach." Though Maty passed away in 2019, her legacy lives on through the thousands of teachers she mentored, the students whose lives she transformed, and the standards of excellence she established for yoga instruction. She remains a guiding light for how to teach with both precision and heart.