I began a practice of yoga and meditation in 1997 after moving to Wilmington from Charlotte, NC.  Arriving in Wilmington, I knew no one, but knew that I needed to be here after a short weekend visit following a summer school Gross Anatomy intensive.  My second visit to Wilmington was to find an apartment.  I simply thought I would take up residence, go to work and enjoy my life as an occupational therapist.  

At the same time, I was working as an instructor and trainer in the fitness industry, and took my first yoga class at a local gym.  Yoga was a lot harder than I thought it would be, and I didn’t go back for a while.  Then came a point in my life where I was in pain, overweight, tired and stressed out.  I was working full time, teaching 12 aerobics classes a week, and was back in graduate school, driving back and forth to and from ECU and Wilmington.  I knew I needed to decompress, so I thought I would give yoga another try.  I thought at the end of the day that I would stretch and chill out in this yoga class at Gold’s Gym.  Halfway through the class, I was wondering when I would get to chill out.  It was hard!  This time, I kept at it.  I remembered my teacher prompting me to be compassionate with myself.  What a lesson to learn.  It was just as hard to learn it on my mat as it was to learn it off of the mat. 

As I continued to practice in the gym classes, I was approached me to teach.  They desperately needed yoga teachers, and coincidentally, there was a local teacher training approaching.  I finished my first teacher training, and realized how much more I had to learn.  Almost a decade later, I am still realizing how much more I have to learn.  It is not about the asanas…although, I am now stronger and more capable physically, mentally and emotionally because of my asana practice.  I have come to realize that it is actually about living life mindfully, consciously and in balance. 

In 2000, the yoga really took its hold on me!  Although I had a great start in my profession as an occupational therapist, I felt as though there was more that I should be doing.  I knew that my true work was to be done outside of the medical model, so I left…essentially jumped off without knowing where I would land.  The next year, I decided to open my own yoga studio. 

In the seven years since that decision, I have grown, transformed and deepened my knowledge of myself and my world.  I have come to realize that the yoga is not just in the posture, but in the lessons that come in times off of the mat.  The moments on the mat prepare me for what life brings. 

I began practicing Anusara Yoga in 2004, and have been transformed to my core from this practice.  Along the way, I have been met by some amazing mentors and teacher, and have participated in a diversity of healing practices. 

My practice is about the journey within.  As I uncover my highest self, I see that all of my relationships become more authentic.  I am learning to let go of the fears and replace them with enthusiasm of the unknown.  In this rememberance, I have found freedom.  My practice is about sharing that freedom with my family, my friends, my students, my community, and the world.  I invite you to join me!