My story:

Eight years ago, I headed south from Rocklin, CA to UCLA as a Math major. After a few calculus classes, I realized that I most certainly did not want to major in math. So I changed my educational goals a few more times and eventually earned a B.A. degree in Psychology.

I did not find my life's calling in the academic world at UCLA, but, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon yoga. My first yoga class in Santa Monica was an epiphany for me; I knew instantly that I was meant to be doing yoga!

Yoga proceeded to become a huge part of my life as I witnessed remarkable aesthetic and athletic improvements in my body... I lost weight, toned my muscles, and improved my posture, strength, grace, and coordination. Most importantly, I realized that these improvements were primarily due to the mental strength I had developed through an increased mind-body awareness.

I was enjoying the physical effects of yoga for a long time before the additional benefits of my practice began to hit home. Amazingly, my overall life perspective and sense of self had also improved!

The more I learn about yoga, the more I realize that I have just begun. I do know that it's impossible to "do" yoga since yoga is a mental state. For this reason, I realize that the practice of meditation is necessary in order to delve deeper into the discipline of yoga.

Yoga has been a beautiful, challenging journey that has improved my life in immeasurable ways. I am so thankful that I am on this path and that I was fortunate enough to find myself on this path when I did!

My journey has not been a solo one. There are so many teachers who have influenced my yoga practice in a positive way, and I am infinitely grateful to them. I now try to give back to the universe by sharing what I have learned.

I've witnessed first-hand the profound difference that the practice of yoga can make in the life of anyone who is open to changing for the better. As I share my accumulation of knowledge, I hope to be an inspiration to those who are ready, willing, and able to achieve such a success in their own lives.

My training:

I am a Registered Yoga teacher at the 200-hour level with the Yoga Alliance. I am also a Certified Pilates instructor through NESTA.

My most influential yoga teacher is Bryan Kest, whose class I attended for several years and with whom I completed an intensive Power Yoga teacher training immersion course to receive my Registered Yoga teacher (RYT) status. I have also completed numerous yoga training courses and workshops, including a 40-hour Forrest-Style Yoga teacher training course, a weekend flow workshop with Shiva Rea, a 10-hour Iyengar master teacher intensive, and more.

I teach to others what I have found to work best for myself. My teaching style consists primarily of Vinyasa principles (movements linked to breath). I also integrate instrumental elements of Iyengar (principles of proper alignment) and Forrest-Style yoga (gentle warm-ups and sequencing variations) into both my personal practice and teaching style.

I also learn from my students. Every person is so unique in their abilities and needs. What works for one person may be detrimental for another. The ability to modifiy poses and come up with creative alternatives truly comes from students. So, thank you to everyone who has practiced yoga with me for you have taught me more than you may realize!

My Style:

I teach a dynamic, challenging Vinyasa-based style of yoga that integrates elements of Power Yoga, Iyengar, and Forrest-Style Yoga. My classes are suitable for students of all levels.

Focus is on linking a deep, controlled breath to flowing sequences of movements, developing core strength and stability, learning proper alignment, and having fun while getting in touch with your body.

Classes consist of pranayama (i.e., breath control to calm the mind and get in touch with the body), gentle warm-ups (to loosen and release tension in the tightest regions of the body), abdominal work (to strengthen and stabilize the core), Sun Salutations (to rejuvenate and energize the body), standing poses (to increase strength, stamina, and awareness), balancing postures (to aid in mental focus and body coordination), inversions (to balance hormones and reverse the flow of gravity), positive affirmations, and final relaxation.

You will leave class feeling refreshed, grounded, and both physically and emotionally comfortable in your own skin. With continued practice, you will increase your strength, stamina, balance, coordination, poise, flexibility, mental focus, overall awareness, sense of self, and much, much more!