Tell us, when did your mind-body first bend or move you to it's will?
I love to move to music and always have. As a kid I remember blasting
the music way too loud and doing my version of "Flashdance" in the
family room. My brothers and sisters will tell you that I would drive
them crazy with singing and dancing. I rarely knew all the words to
songs and found it was just easier to make them up. This would put my
brother right over the top!
I am the youngest of five children and was always very comfortable as a
child to express myself. I played sports throughout high school. In
college I remember going for long runs and disliking every step. I
never had the mental focus to enjoy running. It was my freshman year in
college that I found "aerobics". I loved the sweat release of moving
with the music and the freedom to shout to the mountains just because
it felt good. I have been teaching since than (and that was 1987 – oh
my).
I found Yoga on a whim. I was attending a Fitness Conference in 2001
and took my first Yoga class. It was so amazing to me how I felt
during this first class. I had no idea about any of the postures. I
didn't know I wasn't breathing. I remember thinking how graceful the
teacher was and how silly I looked. I didn't have a mat so I just
grabbed a piece of rug. I was sliding all over the place and laughing
out loud at myself. Yet, I LOVED IT! I knew there was something to
this Yoga stuff. I am so grateful that I opened my mind to the newness
of Yoga. I had spent so many years wearing down my body with endless
aerobic classes. I was never happy with my body and was always
searching for the miracle to slim my body down. Hours spent pounding
my body into shape and not recognizing I was totally neglecting my
mind. I had no connection with myself , only disappointment that I
wasn't perfect. Yoga is my personal journey to truth. Yoga has helped
me, discover me. I've always been in there, but as I got older and
busier I lost sight of my true self.
I am always growing and always learning. I love to share Yoga with
everyone I meet. Yoga is more than the mat. Yoga is a lifestyle and
a constant reminder that keeps me in balance with a very hectic world.
My Yoga practice allows me to explore my true self and my potential.
Some times it's hard to look in the mirror and admit when things are
out of balance. Yoga allows me to look deeper and open my mind to
endless possibilities. I will reach my 200 hours of study in
November.
I feel this is the beginning of a lifetime of practice. My education
supports my Yoga practice. I went to college for sociology and social
work. I was always interested in people and why we do what we do.
After college I went back to school to study physical therapy. I spent
a few years working in outpatient orthopedic rehab. I also worked in
geriatric facilities. I had the opportunity to work with folks of all
ages; all of my patients in different stages of life and all of them
facing different obstacles in their physical and mental health. I
think I was practicing then and didn't even know it.
Besides your obvious coolness, what makes you qualified to teach? [Ed. We're just waiting on an answer.]
What other things
are you qualified to do (besides train dolphins ... we're all qualified to do that)? [Ed. We're just waiting on an answer.]
What can we expect to see, hear and do in your classes?
You can expect music that moves you. Music that allows you to slow
down, search and feel. I love to teach from my heart. I love what I
do, and I hope it shows. I hope to guide you to work to your bodies
potential that day. Every day is different and every body is
different. My goal is to give you the foundation and the freedom to
explore your own potential.
What pose/move do you dig the most and why? I love balancing postures. I really enjoy trying to sustain stillness and calm, in some of the most difficult times.
If you could push a button and remove a pose/move from history, which one and why?
That is a toss up between Camel/Ustrasana and Warrior 1/
Virabhadrasana 1. My body doesn't like them. Sometimes my body just
doesn't feel good, so I often explore other alternatives that feel
right.
Like, what's your sign man? Cancer
What are 3 things that make you smile real big and cheesy? My husband, my kids and my dogs.
What is your favorite quote when you're in need of a little inspiration?
"Feel the earth below you, the air above you and all the sounds that
surround you" This reminds me to be present and allows me to ground
myself in the moment.
If you could do anything to change the world, what would it be?
I wish we could all just get along. I wish we could all just be
honest with each other and live our lives for the good of everyone.
Speak the truth, do your very best and expect nothing in return.
Life's reward, is life. Live it to your fullest
Any other interesting information you would like to share with the nice people reading this here Bio? [Ed. We're just waiting on an answer.]
