Yoga Biography

In Spring 2001 I joined, for the first time, a yoga class in Olympia, Washington. I decided to continue taking yoga classes as it improved my level of concentration and assisted my education. Since then I have maintained a steady practice as it continues to foster my personal development, health education and opens a sense of closeness with nature and my surrounding community.

In March 2004 under an independent contract sponsored by Evergreen's faculty, I attended the Integrative Yoga Teaching Training (IYT) in Tampa, Florida. From March 7 to March 20, 2004, the program followed an intensive therapeutic teacher training program. IYT, rather than approaching one single discipline, focused to the best and most safe body/mind healing methodologies following the individuals' own process. Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Vinyasa, Yoga Nidra and other disciplines were integrated as a way to facilitate healing.

On November 2004 I became a certified yoga instructor after the completion of the Integrative Yoga Therapy Teacher Training Program - 200 hour level. In addition, I have volunteered as a yoga facilitator in a variety of academic and non academic programs at the Evergreen State College and within Olympia, Washington between 2003 and 2005.

Currently I teach for Tacoma Metro Parks. I have instructed yoga in Washington State, Italy, Colombia and the Chicago area. I have taught yoga for stress management at the YMCA and also at The Evergreen State College, both located in Olympia, Washington. In Spring 2005 I was invited to Bogota, Colombia to teach a workshop in Hatha Yoga and stress management. I also instructed yoga at X-Sport Fitness in the Chicago suburbs.

I utilize an integrated form of Hatha Yoga with Vinyasa warm-ups, stress management techniques, pranayama breathing and restoring poses, all within the foundation of Hatha Yoga’s philosophy and alignments. My integrated form of Hatha Yoga teaches a variety of techniques which benefit students in a multitude of ways. The process of learning breathing techniques, poses and alignments increases strength, flexibility, and endurance in the students. Repeating and holding a well aligned pose along with the breath develops concentration and the ability to be present.

Within my vision, yoga is accessible to anyone, and promotes healing and introspection, thereby increasing self awareness and body/mind integration. From my perspective body and mind integration is accessible when the knowledge retained by the mind (i.e. reading the alignment and seeing an image of a pose) will match the ability to perform, hold and feel the pose, which will occur along with practice. The center of my teaching and practice of yoga is safety, precision in detailed instructions, along with warmth and creativity to promote and/or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Modifications are also fundamental in my teaching, as to integrate different levels of student practice.