welcome to andrew j. stillman
What’s going on, everybody? Welcome to my home base! Whether you’re looking for writing advice, writing services, travel tips and recommendations, or yoga classes, you’ve come to the right spot.
Sound like a lot going on? It is! Browse below for an overview of everything I offer, then click around up top to explore anything in more detail.
Thanks for stopping by!
what do I do?
Thanks for asking, and an ever-changing answer. Click around below for an overview of my services, and be sure to visit the Services page for more details.
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First and foremost, I write. Sometimes for myself, mostly for others. Between copy, blogging, interviews, and a wide array in between, there’s little I haven’t done in the world of writing.
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In my spare time (what is that?) I teach yoga, whether in one-on-one sessions, publicly at Corepower, or occasionally at San Diego Naked yoga.
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I also travel sometimes, and sometimes I give tips and tricks and recommendations, and sometimes I also vlog and share my experiences. I also like to help people put their itineraries together to take trips of their own.
Who am I?
I’m a 6’6 mountain man born and bred in Yosemite with a huge imagination, an insane amount of ambition, and a lot of tenacity in between that allows me to add an ever-growing list of projects to my schedule.
I care about the growth of the people I work with and curating experiences they’ll never forget.
Whether you’re wanting to deepen your writing practice or hire me to write something for you, create an itinerary to see the world, or connect more with your breath and body, I’ve got you.
So What’s Going On Around Here?
Writing
Outside of my writing services, I also write a lot on my own.
Under the writing tab above, you can enjoy…
Information on my books and my author journey
Videos from my YouTube Channel
Travel
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been bit by the travel bug and your wanderlust has you aching to see every corner of the world.
In the travel section, you can…
Keep up with the latest travel news
Read (and sometimes watch) about my own adventures exploring the world.
Lifestyle
Whether it be fitness, entertainment reviews, music, or interviews, it’ll be explored in the lifestyle section.
Some of this is still under development, but here, you can…
Learn about yoga and wellness
Read interviews with musicians and other entertainers
Read reviews about live shows, movies, and TV shows
Join me on yoga retreats
Hot off the Press
As a kid, my two favorite Disney movies were Aladdin and The Lion King. With Aladdin especially, I was just as much a fan of the sequels as I was the original, and “A Whole New World” has always been one of my favorite Disney jams.
Needless to say, I was pretty stoked to catch the National Tour of Aladdin on Broadway here in San Diego, and was even fortunate enough to chat with one of the stars, Aaron Choi as Iago, prior to the show.
Join me for a sweaty vinyasa flow designed to increase your strength, focus, and endurance. invigorating Power Yoga Flow designed to enhance your balance, strength, and flexibility!
When you have to put on a show that lives up to the legend that is Michael Jackson, the pressure for perfection is on from jump. MJ: The Musical recently embarked on its first national tour in August 2023 after making its Broadway debut in December 2021, and everyone involved knows exactly how much expectation everyone has to nail it.
Fortunately, they understood the assignment and delivered exactly what they needed to and more.
I love being able to see shows from San Diego Broadway, and next year’s 47th season looks like it’s going to blow the rest of them out of the water!
Although season 46 just passed its midway mark with Chicago, they’ve announced the lineup for the 2024-25 season and it really looks like they mean it when they say it’s going to be the best one yet.
I'm gonna rouge my knees and roll my stockings down… And all that jazz.
The national tour of Chicago has made its way to San Diego, and the show did not disappoint. Those who are familiar, however, will notice it’s not quite the same as what they’re used to, particularly when it comes to the set design and costumes.
The last thing you’re likely thinking about during your grief process is anything to do with joy or happiness. Depending on where you are in your journey or whether you’ve gone through any of the other grief yoga videos, you may be more willing to start moving forward into that sense of healing. You also may not, which is equally okay, but it’s what we’ll look at today anyway.
I’ll be the first to say that depression is hard to deal with, whether you’re in the grief cycle or not. It’s a monster all on its own, and it attacks some people more than others. It’s a thief in the night and can strike at any time, and though some people are able to let go of their depression quickly, others may end up getting lost in it.
Well, damn, it’s already the end of January 2024, which means we’re headfirst into another year with a load of…whatever. Honestly, some years are better than others, and the last four have been a whirlwind for everybody. It’s just crazy that, three years ago, time seemed to be crawling by for everyone while we were under lockdown and isolation. Now, time has gone back to its blink-and-you’ll-miss-it pace and it’s hard to keep up.
So often, we get wrapped up in thoughts of “why” when tragedy strikes. Why did this happen to us? Why did this happen to them? Why does this hurt so much? These questions are a journey within and of themselves, and can frequently lead to trying to bargain with the Powers That Be, whatever that may mean to you, to try and change the sequence of events.
In this day and age, there’s negativity everywhere you go. Everyone thinks they’re right about everything and there’s a stark divide when it comes to topics like diversity. On the flip side, there are an equal number of people working toward bringing together a bigger sense of inclusion and awareness as we move toward a broader and more accepting society.
Among those out there making a difference is Justin Renaissance, a San Diego-based pop star who oftentimes works alongside The Trevor Project to bring forward the topic of queer inclusion and self-love.
Okay, hang on, I’m still caught up in the tornado that swept me out of the theater and smacked me in the face with one of the most amazing live performances I’ve ever had the fortune of seeing in my life.
All right, now that I’ve picked my jaw up off of the ground, let’s talk about the current national production of The Wiz.
Today, we tapped into our rage on the mat and worked to “punch out” the feelings that we’re going through. We moved through some punches and kicks incorporated with our yoga poses to tap into the rage we’re feeling but then to settle back into the experience as we returned to the poses and postures.
Whether you’re a newer writer or a seasoned pro, you’re bound to have to interview someone at some point of your career.
Regardless of your skill level, the status of your interviewee, or where the interview is going, let’s get write on in to some tips to help you crush your next interview.
Today was our first practice together on the mat and our first opportunity to get to know each other. As we connected with our breath and our bodies, we moved through a series of twists to help detox and wring out all of the stress and tension we carry within ourselves.
Join me for an invigorating Power Yoga Flow designed to enhance your balance, strength, and flexibility!
In this dynamic session, I'll guide you through a series of empowering poses that will challenge your body and mind, leaving you feeling grounded and centered.
The holiday season at The Conrad promises a delightful sequence of events presented by the La Jolla Music Society (LJMS). Mark your calendar for a series of enchanting performances and festivities for all ages!
Here’s a look at what you can expect:
Start your day with a burst of energy and tranquility through this invigorating morning yoga flow! Join me in this short yet effective session designed to gently open up your hips, release tension, and set a positive tone for the day ahead.
I had mixed emotions heading into the San Diego Civic Theater’s national production of Mamma Mia. I was excited because Abba was one of my father’s favorite bands, and having lost him recently, it felt good to do something I felt honored in his memory. Having a local actress, Alisa Melendez, in a starring role as Sophie Sheridan was also exciting, and I couldn’t wait to see her blow her hometown house down.
What I was nervous about, however, was the fact I hated the movie.
Ever since I saw Black Swan, I get overwhelmed every time I see a live dance and think about what the dancer has had to go through to get to this moment under the spotlight. When the girls do point and I think about their crumpled toes standing on top of wooden blocks within their shoes, I cringe and experience empathy pains as I imagine their cracked and bleeding toenails.
But I’ll be damned if they don’t look good while they’re doing it.
When I found out the Fleet Science Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park was launching a Color in a New Light exhibit, I knew I had to go and see what it was all about. The science center itself is one of the 18 museums in the park, and one I had not had the privilege of going to and experiencing for myself yet.
Not only am I glad I got to check out the museum itself, I’m stoked my first experience got to be with this exhibit.
Developing a positive mindset isn't about ignoring life's challenges, but rather about approaching them with resilience and optimism.
If you’re going through a hard time, here are 10 crucial steps to help you cultivate a more positive mindset and embrace a happier life — even when it’s at its darkest.
I’d heard of a lunar, a solar, and a full eclipse, and I’m sure I’ve heard of “annular” before, but I’m not always in the path of totality and don’t get to experience them as often as I would hope.
While I was at the annular event at the Fleet Science Center in San Diego, I had a chance to talk with Dave Decker, the President of the San Diego Astronomy Association, who explained everything I needed to know about eclipses.
Sometimes life is full of twists and turns. Here’s an update on what’s going on in mine.
There’s a lot going on in Les Mis, and with the source material being over 1,000 pages long, it’s easy to see how the stories can get so complicated as they weave together. That said, there’s also a reason this show is so timeless, and the production of it at the San Diego Civic Theater was nothing short of a masterclass in how live theater should be done.
If you’ve been practicing yoga for an extended period of time, it’s likely you’ve heard at least some mention of the Eight Limbs of Yoga. Depending on where you practice or who your teacher is, you may have also even learned one or two of them.
Whether you know what they are or not, here’s a quick rundown:
Rhythms of the Night is the best thing you can do in Puerto Vallarta.
Listen.
I was excited about this show before I even saw it. I came here as part of a press trip for RAGE Magazine. As soon as I saw this on the itinerary, I was ready.
Life is cyclical, and the new British anthology, Patterns, examines life’s circles through the perspective of interweaving characters throughout episodes that take on both life and LGBTQ+ themes.
Written by Asad Mughal, the eight-episode series, available on the gay streaming app Dekkoo or to purchase on Amazon Prime, is a masterclass in British humor and a unique look into what it’s like to live life as a queer person.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetle—
Okay, hang on a second, I’m getting a little ahead of myself.
Beetlejuice: The Musical (The Musical, The Musical) has officially hit San Diego on its national tour, and the mind trip of fun that took up the three-hour runtime was an awesome deep-dive into the themes and storyline from the original movie it’s based on.
Get ready to celebrate a monumental bat mitzvah bash with a touch of chutzpah!
You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, an upcoming film by Adam Sandler brings the whole family to center stage in this captivating coming-of-age story that features Sandler alongside his real-life daughters, Sunny and Sadie. Directed by Sammi Cohen and penned by Alison Peck, the movie promises a journey filled with friendship, growth, and lots of laughter.
When I went to Puerto Vallarta a few years ago, I knew there was a lot more to Mexico than what I experienced there. I loved Puerto Vallarta, especially with its LGBTQ+ focus, but I had a long list of other places I wanted to visit that I hoped I got to one day.
Among those was the country’s capital, Mexico City. In Spanish, it’s called Ciudad de Mexico and is often abbreviated as CDMX.