E-RYT 500 (800) HNC YLC
My yoga practice began with with DVDs, workout programs, and prenatal Yoga during my pregnancies in 2008. Some years later I began a Yogic Lifestyle in 2013 after an emotionally difficult period of my life where I struggled with depression and suicidal ideation. I found that Yoga and meditation helped me so much that I decided to go to the birth place of Yoga in Rishikesh India to study Yoga at its source in 2013, I returned again and completed my 200 hour teacher training in September 2014. I study and practice Akhanda Yoga. Akhanda Yoga is a traditional exploration of Hatha Yoga from the Himalayas. Akhanda Yoga is a beautiful balance and combination of ancient philosophy, yoga poses, meditation, breath work, mantras and sound work, Ayurveda (India’s traditional natural health system), and inner exploration.
Shortly after I completed my 200 hours training I was diagnosed with a chronic degenerative spinal condition in my neck. I found that I had to adapt my practice to a more self connecting practice to avoid hurting myself and to improve my quality of life and chronic pain. This “listening” to myself opened a door that changed my personal practice and the way I teach to a more adaptive style of yoga that explores inner inquiry and somatic connection.
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”
Bhagavad Gita
At home, I pursued nutrition studies to help my son, who had gastrointestinal issues. I earned certificates in Plant-Based nutrition, Sports Nutrition, and a diploma in Holistic Nutrition. This knowledge enables me, as a Holistic Nutrition Consultant, to address root causes and imbalances in my clients lives. In traditional Yoga it is believed that Yoga begins in the kitchen!
In 2016, I returned to India for advanced Akhanda Yoga training. During the training, I fell seriously ill with a mysterious condition that had minor effects for over 25 years but had become severe and chronic. This condition caused severe stomach pain, malabsorption, severe nausea, heart arrhythmia, food allergies and a host of other experiences. Despite inconclusive medical tests, I persevered, relying on my practice for physical and mental support.
In 2016, I started studying trauma recovery through yoga, driven by my own experience as a trauma survivor. I became a certified Veteran’s Yoga Project teacher with Dr. Dan Libby in 2017. In October 2018, I went back to India to study Yoga Life Coaching with Robin (Prem Sagar) Campbell through Akhanda Yoga. Towards the end of 2019, I delved into trauma-informed yoga with David Emerson and trauma and somatic experiencing with Peter Levine in 2022.
In 2019, I learned that my mysterious medical problems were linked to Ehlers Danlos syndrome with arterial compressions, dysautonomia, and mast cell activation syndrome. I embarked on a healing journey, utilizing the modalities I had studied. I expanded my expertise with trainings in restorative and yin yoga in 2020 with Akhanda yoga in India, along with chair yoga and yoga for menopause with Subtle Yoga in 2022.
I currently live in Superior Colorado and am a Marshall fire survivor. I am rebuilding my home as a green earth block high efficiency home. I live with my husband and two teenage children. We enjoy hiking, mountain biking, skiing, paddle boarding, and traveling together. I love horses and horse riding, gardening, being with nature, cooking, reading poetry, music, kirtan, running, and spending as much time as I can outdoors. I am originally from Northern Ireland and moved to the USA in my early 20s.
“Sarve bhavantu sukhinah, sarve santu niramayah.”
-May all be happy, may all be free from disease.
Ancient Yogic Mantra.