WHAT YOGA MEANS TO ME

Yoga has changed the course of my life in such a profound way. It has transformed my relationship with myself and how I feel physically in my body. As a teenager and in my twenties, I struggled with an eating disorder. I was in two rehabs by the time I was a senior in high school. I felt so uncomfortable in my body and held onto so much anger and sadness and that is how I coped. I was introduced to my first yoga and meditation classes when I was in college at the University of Vermont. From the moment I sat down on the mat, I knew immediately this practice could be life changing for me. I spent a semester in India, Nepal & Tibet where I continued to study and practice meditation. This is where I I began to build the foundation of my practice. I am thankful every day for those experiences early on as they helped shape who I am today.

In my thirties, my son was born with a rare genetic disorder. The early years of his life were filled with medical issues, surgeries and therapies which took a great toll on my husband and I both physically and emotionally. I also had chronic back pain from three herniations in my lumbar spine (L4, L5 and S1). Tapping into my yoga practice at that time truly saved me. It not only improved my physical pain, but it  soothed my emotional pain. It made me feel whole again. Actually, I know now that I was always whole. Yoga just led me back to discover that truth. 

WHAT MY CLASSES ARE LIKE

It's my intention to create a safe, welcoming and inviting space for all students.  

My classes are typically slow and gentle vinyasa style that focus on alignment and connecting breath with movement. This way the entire class feels like a moving meditation. Students of all ages take my class and I enjoy teaching sequences that specifically address discomforts in the body and mind. It brings me a lot of joy when students tell me how much better they feel after class. My hope is for students to feel an overall deep sense of well-being both in body and mind.

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Certifications & Teachers I study with.....

As a teacher, I am always learning.   

• 200 Hour Certification at Bhakti Barn Yoga with Betsy Davis (2014)

• 50 Hour Advanced Teacher Training Restorative and Pranayama (2017)

• 30 Hour Jason Crandall Injury Prevention in Yoga Teacher Training (2018)

• 300 Hour Advanced Certification at Bhakt Barn Yoga (2021)

• 7 Week Power of Awareness Certification with Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach (2021)

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Judith Hanson Lasater has brought such richness to my yoga studies. It would feel incomplete if I did not mention her. She has greatly influenced how I teach yoga. Although I have never studied with her personally, I have read all of her books and have completed an online training with her. My favorite books by her are Living Your Yoga and 30 Essential Yoga Poses For Beginning Students and Their Teachers.  

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I know that I will continue to learn and grow from this practice the rest of my life. I learn from my students, from my kids and from my relationships with others and myself.  I hope to be able to help guide you on your own yoga journey. 

WHEN I AM NOT TEACHING

I have been married for 16 years and have 3 kids, two dogs, two cats and a bearded dragon named CLYDE. 

Walks and hikes with my dog BLUE especially in the South Mountain Reservation near my home.

I love to knit! Hats are my favorite, but I am also getting into sweaters. 

Swimming –especially laps and treading with friends. 

Just sitting outside in the backyard with the dogs and being in awe of the trees and sky around me

Planting flowers and making an herb garden in the Spring.

Meditating with my favorite local teachers Jean Vitrano and Anne Sussman.

Music - listening to Joni Mitchell, Grateful Dead, Van Morrison, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Marley, Snatnam Kaur, Krishna Das…. the list goes on and on. 

Reading—right now on my night stand I have “I’ve been thinking. Reflections, Prayers and Meditations for a Meaningful Life by Maria Shriver and “Wherever You Go There You Are Mindfulness Meditation in everyday life by Jon-Kabat-Zinn

Listening to podcasts. Lately a lot of Dan Harris 10% Happier and Tara Brach

FOLLOW ME

 "YOGA IS A LIFE CHANGING, SOUL CHANGING, BODY CHANGING PRACTICE BUT IT'S POWER IS PREDICATED UPON CHOICE AND INTENTION."  - JUDITH HANSON LASATER

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