Tell me a little bit about your yoga journey from the beginning. One day in my early twenties I was standing in my parents kitchen with my mom and I tried to bend over and touch my toes. I could barely reach my knees! My mom couldn’t believe it and said, “you should do yoga." At the age of 30, I quit my corporate job. My husband was very supportive, and after a couple months of “trying to figure it out” my mom asked me what I did with my time. I realized I did yoga everyday! She suggested teaching, and I decided that was what I would do. I did my first 200 hour teacher training in 2009, started teaching and then purchased a yoga studio. I found Ashtanga yoga, my passion, and did a 200-hour Ashtanga Yoga Apprenticeship followed with 6 weeks in Mysore, India studying at the KPJYI. Ashtanga is my daily practice to this day and what I love to teach. What's it like to be a part of the RYL community? Everyone I have met at Roswell Yoga Life has been so welcoming and kind. I enjoy the positive energy that I feel when entering the beautiful studio space. The students are open and eager to learn, so it is a really fun place to teach. |
Not at first. I really didn’t like to get up in front of people and public speaking was definitely not my idea of a good time. I did always kind of feel like I would be a teacher in some capacity in my life, but teaching yoga was not on that list.
It wasn’t until I started teaching Ashtanga yoga that I really began to enjoy teaching and felt like I was on the right path.
What does yoga mean to you?
Union, Connection, All is One
What is the most magical thing about yoga?
The stillness I feel and the connection that I have everyday when I step on my mat. The way it teaches me everything I need to know, and the gratitude that I feel after practice continuing throughout my day.
Why do people especially need yoga in their lives?
"Practice, practice, practice…all is coming" - Pattabhi Jois
This month we are extending our reach to the community through festivals and unique classes. What are your favorite ways to get involved in the yoga community?
I like to practice with and meet like minded people. When I am in a group of yogis, I feel like it is exactly where I belong!
What is your favorite music to practice to, and why?
I prefer to practice with no music. There is something really powerful about practicing in silence with the loudest sound being your breath. Like Sharath says, “Silence is the only method to bring peace”.
What 3 words would describe your life outside of your yoga practice?
Family, Outdoors, Travel.
What is your greatest guilty pleasure?
Binge watching drama series on Netflix or Hulu!
Anything your students ought to know about you?
I am very passionate about the tradition of Ashtanga yoga. I believe and have witnessed the benefits when practiced as prescribed. When you follow the lineage, you know what to do, where to look, how to breath, so there is no question. You just do it-- and it works!