My yoga journey started in a very unusual way. I was not looking for it, didn’t know I even needed it, but it found me.

I had practiced yoga with my mom at the age of three (of course I have no real memory of this but have seen some very cute pictures, purple mat and a Scooby-doo t-shirt was always the outfit of choice), but it wasn’t until I was 19 and in college that my advisor told me I had to pick a class for P.E.

Of all the choices, I picked Yoga for no other reason than something inside called me to it. I was immediately hooked.

I’ve always been an active person, but had never experienced an activity that combined the brain with the body and breath in such a way. I couldn’t believe something that seemed so simple on the surface had so much depth and culture within it, just waiting to be understood and felt through the body. My teacher showed me that Yoga isn’t about the physicality but it’s about the breath, the mind connecting to the body, and above all, it is about community, love, acceptance, care, anatomy. It is the ancient art and love that I think we are all drawn to. It teaches us about ourselves in a way nothing else has ever taught me.

I dropped out of college in 2017 and moved across the country to a Yoga teacher program in Philadelphia, where I found a deep healing, fun stories, new friendships and family, ancient stories that still apply to modern life, and something that could curb my panic attacks and anxiety in a way I didn’t know was possible.

The most important thing I learned was simply the strength of community. I’ve never felt at “home” - always a floater, never really “finishing” what I started, trying to find something grounding, something supportive and kind. I finally found that in yoga, in our innate desire to find something truly meaningful in this life.

After I finished my training I couldn’t wait to share all this love and acceptance I had received and learned.

I began teaching and loved sharing this gift with others. I stumbled around for a while, trying to find a studio I felt would be home. Somewhere that would be an accepting and uplifting place, like I had experienced in Philadelphia, somewhere that respected the culture, philosophy, and all I had learned yoga to be. I finally found that space at Grounded. It was there I finally felt supported and appreciated as a teacher, someone who could share knowledge and love, a place of true community.

When I was asked if I was interested in mentoring a teacher training my immediate response was hell yes!! I cannot wait to share what I’ve learned, and continue to learn more myself.

I truly love Yoga, not just the asana but yoga itself, as a whole, not just movement and breath, but making others feel appreciated, accepted, and strong in more than just the physical body.

I’m especially passionate about the old stories that we read and learn about, and can move into our modern lives and I can’t wait to be a part of this journey of new curious students! I see Yoga as a space to be oneself. It doesn’t need to be serious. As long as it’s practiced with awareness and respect, Yoga can be a safe space to be silly, laugh, and have fun.

I hope to be an inspiration, a listener, a mentor and a teacher, I’m truly humbled and excited to help mentor this training journey.