Alick Tsay

Full-time architect and full-time yogi. (Yes, it is possible.)

Originally from Taiwan, I grew up across three continents. I was introduced to spirituality of different cultures at a young age — raised in a Buddhist family and later exposed to Christian teachings during my teenage years. My childhood was filled with the rhythm of Buddhist rituals, mantra chanting, and the harmonies of Christian choir music during mass. These early experiences quietly laid the foundation for my deeper journey inward.

I came to yoga around 2014, not from a background in sports or fitness, but out of a need — chronic back pain from long hours hunched over desks in architecture offices. What started as a search for relief quickly became something much more. After exploring different yoga styles, I was introduced to Ashtanga by a teacher who also practised at Ashtanga Yoga Paris. To my surprise, just one week of regular practice made a profound difference: I felt much stronger, more agile, more resilient — and yes, my back felt significantly better.

As I delved deeper into the practice and began studying yogic texts and philosophy, I felt something click — a strong, almost familiar connection to the system. The discipline, the breath, the internal focus — it all made sense.

I began teaching in 2017 at AYP, after completing my 200-hour Ashtanga Vinyasa training with my beloved teachers Linda and Gérald.

After that, I completed my 300-hour advanced training, where I had the great privilege of learning from senior teachers like Chuck Miller and David Swenson — both of whom deeply influenced the way I teach and practise today.

With an architect’s eye and a yogi’s heart, I’ve developed a strong interest in the structure of the human body and the way it moves. I believe in using the breath as a bridge — the best form of communication between the body and the mind. Through repetition of the sequence, we begin to see ourselves more clearly — our strengths, our blind spots, and everything in between.

Being a linguistic enthusiast, I enjoy weaving both language and meaning into the practice. I try to intertwine yoga themes into my classes — both physical (asana techniques and alignment) and spiritual (philosophy and self-inquiry). This curiosity naturally drew me to Sanskrit — not just for its role in yoga, but for its precision, rhythm, and philosophical depth. My sessions are sometimes multilingual — blending movement with laughter, focus, and curiosity, while honouring the deeper teachings of the practice.

Today, I continue to live both my paths — as an architect and as a yoga practitioner and instructor. I see them not as separate roles, but as complementary tools. I hope to use both crafts together to support and uplift others on their own journeys — wherever they may be.