I took my first yoga class in 1994, on the advice of my step mother. This was a Kripalu class taught by Jane Selzer. After the very first class, I was hooked. I felt deeply relaxed, in a way that I had never remembered feeling before. For those few moments after class, I was completely at peace. I continued going to Jane’s Kripalu class and slowly began to discover myself. I still remember her asking, during one of those early classes,”How gentle can you be with yourself?”. This continues to be a daily practice.

For the next several years I studied both yoga and modern dance. Through the disciplined movement of my body I found confidence, less physical pain, and a safe way to express myself. This practice of dance and yoga continued through college at Washington University in St. Louis and on. I moved to Portland, Oregon after finishing school and met Jana Labib who taught Bikram poses and inspired me with stories of bringing the awareness she practiced in yoga into her daily life.

At the time I was teaching dance to kids and as my interest moved more to yoga, I had the opportunity to teach at a women’s homeless shelter. I remember the first class I taught. I said the things that Jane used to say to us in class and gently led the women through breathing exercises and poses. It was amazing to watch a group transform in the space of an hour. These women oozed confidence in Virabadrasana II, balanced in Vrikasana, and slowed down to feel the rhythm of their breath. Something this powerful was impossible to ignore. I made a commitment after that first class to get certified in Kripalu yoga and teach.

I have been teaching Kripalu yoga since the very first class at the homeless shelter and I continue to be amazed at yoga’s ability to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. Yoga has helped me work through injury and depression with grace and curiosity. Jill Satterfield, who teaches Vajra Yoga, has taught me how to breathe awareness into the most hardened and painful parts of myself. Arlene Griffin taught me the disciplined practice of directing my mind intentionally through Tantra Yoga. Ana Forrest taught me to source tremendous strength from inside. Jon Fabbro introduced me to the teachings of Chogyam Trungpa and deepened my understanding of meditation. Jon continues to support my meditation practice with wisdom and humor. I am happier than I have ever been and than I ever thought that I could be. I continue to travel this planet, teaching workshops nationally and internationally. Whether I am traveling in India, surfing in Costa Rica or cooking at home in Vermont with my husband, my yoga practice is by my side.