Get to Know MVP Student: Alan Torres

This month, we’re getting to know MVP Student Alan Torres!

Meet Alan Torres

MVP: Tell us a bit about you.

Alan: Hello everyone! My name is Alan Torres, and I’m originally from Cleveland, Ohio. At 18, I enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Artilleryman and served four honorable years, including one combat tour overseas.

After my time in the military, I moved to Tampa, Florida, where I’ve lived for the past two and a half years with my fiancée, Lorena, and our two dogs, Lola and Cooper.

This past year, I decided to follow my passion for helping others through wellness. I earned my diploma in personal training while also completing my 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT). I now own and operate Oscar Mike Yoga & Training LLC, a mobile fitness coaching service that combines yoga and resistance training for a holistic approach to fitness.

In my spare time, I enjoy lifting weights, playing golf, and spending time in nature.

How Alan Discovered Yoga

MVP: How did you get into yoga?

Alan: Growing up in Cleveland, I was a big Cavaliers fan. When I was 17, I came across a video of a few players practicing yoga. They talked about how yoga improved their focus, performance, and overall wellness.

Hearing male athletes speak about yoga this way surprised me. Until then, I thought yoga was something men didn’t do. That video changed my perspective. I started taking classes at my local gym and instantly connected with the practice.

After joining the Army, I took a four-year break from yoga. When I left the military, I struggled to adjust to civilian life and faced mental health challenges. I tried different methods to recover, but nothing helped as much as returning to yoga. Once I reconnected with my practice, I saw real change. Yoga helped me learn more about myself and apply those lessons off the mat, too.

Making Yoga Accessible

MVP: What are your go-to asana modifications to make a class more accessible?

Alan: In my classes, I constantly remind students that the practice belongs to them. There are no strict rules about what you can or can’t do to make yoga your own.

I encourage autonomy—using props, modifying poses, or skipping certain asanas entirely. My role is to guide, but students know what works best for their bodies.

Yoga Beyond the Mat

MVP: How do you practice yoga off the mat?

Alan: I bring yoga into my relationships. The compassion and kindness I cultivate on the mat extend into how I treat others—whether it’s a loved one, a student, or a stranger.

Alan’s Favorite Mantra

MVP: Do you have a favorite mantra?

Alan: Yes! My favorite mantra is actually a quote I learned from Michelle during my training with My Vinyasa Practice. It speaks to releasing limiting beliefs:

“I am a divine being, having a human experience.”

I use this mantra daily, especially in moments of adversity. It reminds me who I am and why I’m here.

Connect with Alan

MVP: Website or social media page you want to spotlight?

Alan: You can find me on Instagram at @coachalantorres.

Thank you for sharing your practice with us, Alan!

Also checkout on November Student of the Month