Let’s say hello
“The success of yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures, but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationships.” ~ T.K.V. Desikachar
I have been a student of yoga since 1999 and studied with many teachers. I found a home in Annie Carpenters SmartFlow Yoga with it’s characteristics of mindful movement and wakeful alignment.
I also hold a Masters degree in Health and Wellness Coaching.
Yoga and Health Coaching come together by the way they both ask us to go inward, find what’s really true and with skill in action, follow that. It is the art of constructive action!
My Embodied Mission
My journey with yoga began with a search for physical well-being, but it quickly revealed a profound truth: we are whole beings, impossible to separate into distinct parts. As my body found health through yoga, my mind and emotions followed suit, creating a ripple effect that transformed my entire life.
Yoga is a practice for everyone. If you can breathe, you can practice yoga. At its core, yoga is an ancient health care system that guides us towards greater vitality, awareness, and freedom. We are microcosms of the larger world, and when we care for ourselves wholly, we become more capable of contributing wholeheartedly to our communities and the world at large.
The vastness of yoga - its tools, perspectives, techniques, and understandings - could fill many lifetimes of study. This is why I consider myself, first and foremost, a perpetual student of yoga. My sincere dedication to this path has naturally led me to share what I've learned and what has helped me. Through private yoga sessions, I aim to guide others deep into their practice, unlocking the transformative power of yoga in their lives.
We are embodied beings, and our ability to navigate life's stresses and struggles improves dramatically when we care for our physical selves. The body serves as a gateway to nurturing our minds and emotions. We all harbor dreams of who we want to be, what we want to do, and the life we aspire to live. Yet, obstacles arise - sometimes internal, like our self-perception, and sometimes external, due to circumstances beyond our control. Our bodies can anchor us in reality, helping us become the person we want to be in the world. Through yoga, we can cultivate a safe inner space from which we can make clear, sound, and helpful decisions.
My mission is to embody - to fully inhabit this present moment with clarity and wonder. To explore what's possible for myself, for you, and for all beings. And then, to take action.
Through yoga, we learn to care for our whole selves, unlocking our potential to live authentically and contribute positively to the world around us. Join me on this journey of embodiment, self-discovery, and transformation. Let's breathe, move, and grow together, one mindful moment at a time.
A Journey of Growth and Connection
Growing up on an organic farm, I was blessed with a childhood deeply connected to the earth. My parents instilled in me a profound respect for nature, and I found early teachers in the horses and dogs that were my constant companions. The sensitivity I developed through my bond with horses has profoundly shaped my perception of the world around me.
Life, however, presented its challenges. My father's departure left a void, and I struggled with low self-worth, leading me down paths of self-destructive behaviors. I grappled with unhealthy coping mechanisms, from substance misuse to complicated relationships with food and my body. Despite these hurdles, I was always drawn to movement—finding solace in hiking, horseback riding, and even gym workouts. Yet, as a woman grappling with self-esteem issues, exercise often became a misguided attempt to "fix" myself.
My journey took a transformative turn when I discovered yoga through a body scan meditation at a community event. It felt like coming home to a safe place within myself for the first time. Years later, stepping into a yoga studio, I experienced an awakening of parts of myself I didn't even know were dormant. It was as if everything aligned—muscles, breath, strength, connection, and creativity fused into a vibrant whole.
Though I continued to struggle with old habits, yoga provided a path forward. It showed me that I could start exactly where I was and, through my own exploration, move towards healing. Slowly but surely, I've been putting one foot in front of the other, carving out my unique path.
Yoga has gifted me with structure and direction, all wrapped in love, acceptance, and joy. Through this practice, I've built a trust in myself that once seemed impossible. This newfound trust has opened my eyes to my dharma—my life's purpose.
While I'll always consider myself a student first, I've begun to share the lessons that have alleviated my own physical, mental, and spiritual suffering. I've learned that the journey is long, but each step can be filled with light and love. As a teacher, I strive to create a warm, supportive, and authentic environment where students can explore their own paths to self-discovery and healing.
Join me on the mat, where we can laugh, learn, and grow together. Let's embrace this beautiful journey, one breath at a time.
