Loved meeting this couple. They came to Tim Porter’s studio on their way -somewhere across the globe. Tim was the one who insisted we interview them – so he gets the credit for getting them into the magazine. Once I looked up Nicholas (M.C. Yogi) a third generation West Marinite who is also a YouTube sensation, I was a fan, too.
My favorite MC Yogi songs…
Ganesh is Fresh
After interviewing them, I’ve gone to the his class a few times at Yoga Toes, their yoga studio in Pt. Reyes.
Nicholas and Amanda Giacomoni love each other, yoga and music.
If you’ve taken a yoga class in the past year, perhaps you’ve pranayma’ed or bhujangasan’ed to one of Nicholas Giacomini (aka MC Yogi)’s yoga-inspired hip hop CDs. His music videos have attracted over a million views and his debut CD Elephant Power has been in the top 20 world music albums on iTunes for over two years. While the Giacomini family is known in West Marin for nourishing the population with delicious cheeses and sundries via Toby’s Feed Barn, one might say Nicholas and wife Amanda are feeding both the body and soul via their on-site studio Yoga Toes. Together they will be teaching a workshop at Renew in Petaluma this month. To learn a bit more about the couple, we caught up with them and their 12-year-old dog Mahatma, aka Mo.
How did you meet? Nick: Back in 2007 before I went to a teacher training I had a premonition that I was getting ready to meet my wife. When Amanda walked in with mismatched socks and pigtails, wearing a miniskirt, I knew she was the one.
What was your first date? Amanda: I think one of our first dates was when Nicholas took me to Toby’s for the first time. One of my favorites was early in our romance; we met at dawn and walked across the Golden Gate Bridge.
How do you feel about Yoga Toes being at Toby’s Feed Barn, which was founded by Nick’s grandfather? Nick: It’s magical. It’s also the spot where I, and lots of other West Marin kids, sat on my grandfather’s lap on Christmas when he dressed up as Santa, and it’s where we stood when we got married.
When you were growing up in Point Reyes, was there a business you wished was there? Nick: A video arcade would have been a nice addition. Amanda: Today, I’d love a spa, so I could get a manicure or pedicure, or a sauna and steam.
Favorite restaurants? We go to Stellina’s all the time—it’s so great to have such a nice restaurant in West Marin; it is definitely our special occasion spot. Om in San Rafael, and Arti in Lagunitas are really good too.
Favorite place to picnic in West Marin? We love Millerton Point in Marshall. You can walk dogs there and enjoy the bay, and there’s a tiny beach with picnic tables.
Where is Mo from? Mo was abandoned as a puppy on the streets of Oakland. He was taken in by the caring staff of Citizen Canine, a local dog hotel. Technically Mo is a rescue dog, but he’s such a loyal and loving companion, sometimes, we have to ask … who rescued whom? He has his own website, mosnose.com, and his own Facebook page.
Does Mo have a favorite trail? He loves Millerton Point on the way to Marshall and Papermill Creek, which was recently redeveloped and is really beautiful.
Does Nicholas still work with his family? Amanda: He doesn’t officially work at Toby’s anymore, but occasionally he’ll help out his dad. I remember once we just came home from a tour—Toby’s needed someone to make a hay delivery and Nicholas stepped in. He loves the store so much, I imagine he’ll always be connected to it.
Who produces the videos on YouTube? Amanda: Nicholas and Robin Livingston (another West Marin native) are co-producers of MC Yogi music and Nicholas produces and creatively directs his videos.
Do you have a favorite MC Yogi song?Amanda: Nicholas says his favorite MC Yogi song is yet to be written. I love the “Give Love” song he wrote for Yoga Aid.
Mimi Towle is the Editorial Director of 270 Media, including Marin Magazine, where she has overseen editorial content for nearly 20 years. Under her leadership, the publication has earned multiple editorial awards, with notable features on local figures, issues within the community as well as extensive coverage of Marin’s food scene.
She currently serves as Vice President of the San Francisco Press Club and the Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club.
A longtime Marin resident, Mimi raised her two daughters in Sycamore Park and Strawberry, deeply involved in local schools, youth sports, and community organizations, including the Richardson Bay Audubon Center. Now based on a floating home in Sausalito, she enjoys an active, water-focused lifestyle.
Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, her connection to the islands occasionally influences her editorial perspective.
