I began practicing Yoga in 1999 while a student at Reed College. What started as a way to satisfy Phys Ed requirements, would soon transform my entire life. I began to experience such incredible benefits from the practice, physically, mentally, and spiritually. After a few years, I became filled with a desire to take my practice deeper, and I applied for a teacher training.
I received my first 200hr Yoga Alliance certification at New York City's Laughing Lotus Yoga Center in May of 2006, and began teaching shortly after. Since then, I have also completed a 200hr and 500hr Yoga Alliance certification at the Dharma Yoga Center, also in NYC. In addition, I have studied and done certificate programs in Tibetan Heart Yoga, Children's Yoga and Corporate Yoga. I also participated in an intensive Teacher Training with Seane Corn. Dharma Yoga has been the strongest influence in my practice and my teaching. Dharma Yoga, as taught by Yoga Master Dharma Mittra, is a classical Yoga lineage, with a strong emphasis on the meditative quality of the practice.
I have a very devotional practice. I like to move slowly and deeply through the poses, and I like to use the poses as an opportunity to connect my heart with the Divine. To make each posture as an offering. For me, the Yoga practice without this level of concentration and offering has little benefit beyond the body's health. However, use the practice on the mat to plant seeds of bliss in the heart, and bliss will surely grow.
When I teach, I teach to the people. I think that is extremely important. When I teach a class, it is a different ball game from teaching privately. And each private client needs something different, and each class environment calls for something different! It's not about making my practice everyone else's practice. It is about helping people find the way to use their own personal practice as a way to connect with the heart. I am only concerned with whether the yoga is helping us become happier, kinder people. And if not, then something needs to shift. I love the asana practice, but i know that downward dog, even if I have the most perfect downward dog ever, doesn't have the power to make me happy. While alignment is very important, ultimately it's where my mind is at when I'm in downward dog that will make the difference. That's the most important thing I like to share with students.