No one knows a city better than its people. Consciously Connected Travel shares with you our global fam and friends through our My City Series. Unmasking some of the coolest places and it’s people and giving you a deeper more connected insight.

Paris based, NYC native Alex Avila is our cool bestie, taking Yoga in a creative new direction. This trri-lingual Yogi speaks English, Spanish and French of course and lives his life in style. When he’s not roaming the globe with his lady love, you can find him giving private lessons at the chic Palais de Tokyo, bringing forth cool musical sounds and integrating it within his Jivamukti or Vinyasa classes. Alex wants to keep his asana practice fun and intense while including into it spiritual teachings, uplifting messages, mantras and meditation.

Discover how to roam through Paris through Alex’s eyes and then discover the incredible experience we have curated with him, for you.

1. Born and Raised or Expat?

   Born and raised in New York but spent some of my early childhood in Guatemala and currently it's been 6 years that I'm based full time in Paris so alittle of both worlds

2. How did the idea of teaching Yoga come about?

   I remember trying my first yoga class in new York it was a donation based class full of people, I was just a beginner so it was alittle overwhelming but I did enjoy it . Fast forward to now I am a full time teacher and am enjoying my life as a yoga instructor.

3. What are your fondest memories of Yoga when you started your business?

   My fondest memories of yoga when i began were my teachers trainings, my first one being in India that experience was unforgettable followed by trainings in Paris and then Ireland , during my teachers trainings i was able to meet other like minded people make new friends and community i feel that was priceless.

4. On your Day-to-Day routine?

   I teach about 3 classes a day and in Paris the best times to teach are mid morning (matineé) lunch time and late evening, in between all that i can go home prepare myself a meal or eat out if I'm in a rush. Depending on the day i can practice yoga at home or at some of my favourite yoga studios in the city.

5. Tell us some of your favourite spots in Paris ?

My favourite spots to eat - Filakia | wild and the moon | pain quotidien | Fragments | cafe pinson

My favourite spots to enjoy wellness - Omm studio Paris | Paris yoga shala | yuj yoga , Tigre yoga

My favourite spot to get some comfy yoga gear - yoga concept boutique

My favourite spots for something a little fancy - galeries Lafayette rooftop bars | maison blanche

6. Where do you go to escape?

If I want to stay close to home it's always south of France near the Mediterranean it was the first place I visited when I first came to France and it's always been home number 2 for me. But when I do get away to be able to practice at my favourite studios and with my teachers it's Los Angeles and my home city of New York

7. You can’t take a vacation, so you decide to have a staycation, what do you do, where do you eat, where do you stay and why?

In a dream staycation I would stay home most of the time but would probably hit my favourite spa spot just outside of the city . I would eat at my favourites wild and the moon , pain quotidien , filakia , Fragments, but also something I don't get to do often and that is enjoy some cooking time at home which I am passionate about but rarely get to do it because of my workflow and schedule.

8. Where’s your next adventure?

My next adventure is my yoga retreat in Greece I've been providing students with a yoga and relax theme it's a week long stay in the beautiful island of Amorgos Greece I've been doing it every spring for the past 5 years and I've never looked back. Since it's always in the spring time, after the winter cold it's something I look forward to .

9. Does Travel breed creativity?

Oh yes it does there are times that when I do travel for the sole purpose of being inspired creatively by others in my field and line of work and I've never been disappointed.

10. Where to shed those kilos, detox the body or protect the temple?

My favourite place that i know of is Rueil Malmaison a 20 min train ride away from the Paris center , it's more of a place to protect your temple with a full on spa center in the property surrounded by vast green fields , a river to take a stroll by and a very cute little village known as Malmaison.

11. Entrepreneurs, Tastemakers and Trailblazers, Where do people like you hangout in your city?

For yoga and party it's gotta be daybreaker Paris , for healthy food it's wild and the moon

12. A locals-only, off-the-radar, black book spot?

Anti-pod is a boat restaurant parked right in the Paris canals, best time to go is in warm days and sit out in the deck there are rarely any tourists mostly locals.

13. We’re living in a world where our attention to new innovation doesn’t seem to have longevity, how do you find your inspiration to make new waves with long-term prosperity?

I believe that community is so important in my work so alot of my innovation comes from what the people want or want to see , from their feedback etc... i guess some of the best ideas and projects I've had have come from what people are buzzing about or are interested in. And it's up to us to put the pieces together and make a positive impact on ourselves and others.

14. Your ultimate playlist?

Hit the link to find out!