When a student attends one of my classes, I want them to feel strong and motivated to do their best, whatever that looks like for that particular day. And by the end of the hour or so, to find peace.
I took my first yoga class with my mom back in high school with a teacher named Sylvia who trained in Italy and taught at a small, local studio in Mundelein, IL; she came to her yoga practice while recovering from a terrible car accident and I will never forget her. Later, while attending a small, liberal arts-based university, I chose yoga as elective college credit. As a dancer and cheerleader growing up, yoga felt like the next best thing for me to do for a workout as an adult. Over time, my practice has evolved into so much more than just a physical practice. My mat became my haven when leaving a toxic relationship. The warm, dark room was, and still is, my sanctuary. A friend of mine and I made a pact to sign up for teacher training together after practicing side-by-side together for years – but she signed up without telling me first! Fortunately, I was able to secure the last spot in Karen Fox’s The Yoga Studio Teacher Training 2015-2016 class to deepen my practice. I went into teacher training without the intention to teach – I just wanted to learn as much as possible and soak up all I could like a sponge. Obtaining my 200hr and later my 300hr certifications have given me the ability to give back the ancient knowledge that has been shared with me by Karen and so many other incredible teachers including Jonah Kest and Jimmy Nataraj. Yoga helps me be the best version of myself. It opened the door to my meeting my now husband, Michael. We adopted our pup, Reggie, together in 2016 and welcomed our daughter, Sloane, earth-side on January 8th, 2021. We are expecting her sibling to arrive on October 12th, 2022! Michael received a promotion early last year and relocated our family from Indianapolis, IN to Baltimore, MD, and we are embracing all the Charm City has to offer.