Who I am

I am a native of beautiful Southern California.  I came to New York many years ago to go to art school – and never left.

After recieving my degree from F.I.T. in Display & Exhibit Design I spent many years on  fascinating and challenging jobs all related to fashion and advertising. They were also super fast paced and ultimately stressful.  In 2001 I became  pregnant with my first child and then 9.11 happened two blocks from where we lived.   It was then that I decided to step back and take a look at where my life was going and why. To get grounded and prepare to be the best mother I could and to be able to see clearly where my path would go from there. This turned out to be the best journey I have ever been on.

During this time of taking a good look at myself and the world around me, I stumbled into a class at Kula Yoga. My first class was taught by the incredible Aarona Pitchinson.  I fell in love with yoga in that instant.  It spoke to me deeply and immediately made the mind, body and spirit connection within all of us very apparent to me.  I love the sound of my breathe as well as the sound of my fellow practitioners.  I love meditation and the quieting of the mind through movement and ultimately through stillness.  I love the incredible yoga community and especially my yoga home, Kula Yoga Project.

After several years  of practicing and studying yoga I dove in and did my 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher Training at Kula Yoga Project. The training was Vinyasa based with intense dedication and attention to sequencing, alignment and anatomy. I was lucky enough to be taught and beautifully guided by the extraordinary Nikki Vilella, Nikki Costello and Schuyler Grant.  I also completed a mentorship program with Nikki Costello and continue to study with her weekly in her Teacher’s Practice Class also at Kula.  I practice and study constantly.  I am grateful for so many teachers, but in particular (as well as the above mentioned) Annie Piper (my North Star teacher), Kevin Courtney, Jillian Turecki, Magi Pierce and Alex Auder. And a special nod to Thomas Droge, founder of Element Center for Daoist Arts, for his knowledge.  I am endlessly grateful for his wisdom and lessons in life that are too many to list through his Qi Gong and Tai Ji teachings.

Yoga has informed and deepened every aspect of my life.  I am very dedicated to taking what I learn on the mat into my world off the mat.  I am so grateful for what my practice has done for me and I hope I can pass that along in some small way by teaching this exquisite practice to others.