I was first introduced to yoga in 2003 and immediately loved the sense of peace I experienced during gentle and restorative classes. After engaging in many other forms of fitness, I returned to yoga in 2009 for holistic healing of a back injury. I used my practice to restore my body and have been practicing yoga ever since.
In July 2013, I was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident. I suffered major injuries, including a shattered femur and a broken tibia. After several extensive surgeries, I started on the road to rehabilitation. I endured a lot of pain, but learned that I was very lucky to be alive. I had to start from the beginning with many activities, including learning to walk, bathe and even dress myself. By late December, I was medically cleared to return to a gentle yoga practice. It was then that I decided I would restore my body through yoga again, and I did!
My first physical yoga practice after my motor vehicle accident was with my teacher, Ellen Wesler. Ellen offered to work with me one on one in her studio to help ease me back into the practice. It was a super gentle restorative class. I was so excited that I was able to do some of the asanas that I love again! Ellen has been an inspiration to me since the very first class I took with her in 2009 and I credit her as the reason I fell in love with yoga.
My love for yoga and seeing its healing effect on my body is what inspired me to take my first yoga teacher training. I completed my 200 hour RYT training at Happy Buddha Yoga in Goshen, NY in August 2014. In 2015, I went on to study with Alison West at Yoga Union and Yoga Union Backcare & Scoliosis Center in New York City. After moving to Jacksonville, FL in 2016, I connected with Yoga 4 Change and joined the teaching team, further pursuing my passion to inspire and empower others and serve the community. I love expanding my knowledge base. In 2016, I completed a Yoga for Cancer certification with Christina Phipps Foundation in Jacksonville, FL. I most recently became certified in Accessible Yoga.
My story is a testament to the restorative powers of yoga. My goal is to bring the therapeutic benefits of yoga to those that think yoga isn’t accessible for them due to injury, range of motion issues, pain limitations, trauma or other challenges. I am here to inspire you!