I was introduced to yoga asana in 2008, through a beautiful woman I look up to and admire, Renee. I was adventurous and an athlete my entire childhood—soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball—as much as I enjoyed the intensity of sports many injuries occurred, broken wrist, fractured ankles, multiple sprains, etc. I started having extreme back pain early into High School where movement was unbearable for long periods of time. I had been to multiple doctors, recurring ER visits, had CT scans and MRIs which always ended up with an image of the healthy young teen. It was frustrating and defeating to feel the pain I was in just to be told I looked perfectly healthy and happy on the outside. 

Luckily, I had someone like Renee who had an affinity for holistic health and medicine practices that recommended yoga asana which might help release whatever tension I may be holding on to. I was invited to take classes with her to see if asana could ease the pain. Nervous to unroll my mat in a studio around people I didn’t know, with concern of judgment or not being able to feel/move my body fully, her encouraging words eased my nerves and changed the course of my life for the better.

After that first class, I felt elongated, lighter on my feet and open in mind. It was the beginning of something life changing. I would take some more classes with Renee; followed by my own home practice and shortly after I gravitated to taking my mat to parks and wooded areas just to be alone with my movement and the sounds of a secluded environment. My back pain subsided, and thankfully I have not had an issue with it since the start of my physical practice. 

The more I felt into my physical body the more content with myself I become, mentally and physically. I want to exude that feeling. The way I looked at myself changed and in turn changed how I experienced the world and saw others around me— with more appreciation, with grace and more beauty. I’ve kept a consist practice for over 12 years and have attempted to study the roots and origins of the Philosophy of Yoga and its role and evolution in modern society. I was lucky to have the opportunity to advance my practice and completed my 200 YTT in the summer of 2018.

I hope to offer students autonomy and agency within their practice; to be mindful of alignment; to connect to the present moment; and to explore the depths of themselves through connection of breath and movement. I want for students, or anyone looking to start an asana practice, to walk away from their mat feeling grounded with a deep appreciation and understanding of themselves and the world around them. I hope to see you on your mat soon.

Credentials: RYT-200