I’ve always been a sensitive person. When I was younger, I was painfully shy. I was often anxious, and lacked the confidence needed to actually lean into my passions. I was just too scared to step out of my shell, to step out of the need to be perfect long enough to actually find enjoyment in life. I noticed that I felt different when I practiced yoga. Over the years when I started into college, I kept coming back to it, especially when I had an overwhelming day and I would return to that familiar place of peace.

In my high school, we had a yoga class with a guest teacher from the community come to teach us. I could tell there was something different about her class but I couldn’t pin down what was so different about it. I remember there being very specific instructions with the breath and breathing out of each nostril separately (which seemed so weird). But afterwards I felt a sense of clarity and focus in my mind I have never experienced before. It felt like my brain was connected to a new power source and my body felt so calm and clear. I was able to focus so much better in my classes that day. I remember thinking to myself that I had no idea how yoga was able to help me feel so different in such a short amount of time but that I would figure it out, no matter how much time it took.

I felt a twinge of both excitement and self-doubt when I signed up for my first 200 hour yoga teacher training through my college. I never thought I would want to actually teach a class. I just wanted to immerse myself in the practice because it was one of the only things that actually helped me to find a sense of peace and quiet in my mind. I learned about the philosophy of yoga, which expanded my mind and brought so much inspiration to me during that time. I felt like I was finally home and everything was starting to finally make sense.

When it came time for me to actually practice teaching in front of the class, I was so incredibly nervous. My heart was pounding, and I could barely get any words out. Until I started. I took a breath, and just started. I taught my first 10 minute sequence that day! As I began teaching, I actually felt my anxiety melt away in real time and, to my surprise, I didn’t actually mind instructing the class. I actually enjoyed it and I enjoyed helping others to feel that sense of calm and peace with me.

A few years later, I continued my time at the university studying psychology and I began my yoga therapist training with Optimal State. I was and still am so hungry for knowledge and learning about different methods, philosophies, and what actually contributes to helping us heal inwardly. A lot of the concepts I was learning in yoga therapy training connected seamlessly with the concepts I was learning in my psychology classes. I was learning about the power of relationship, the influence that yoga has on the nervous system, and so much more.

Once I completed my education, I was able to combine the 2 fields of yoga and psychology together and I began teaching yoga in treatment centers for teens. I’ve spent the last 4 years of my life doing this work, there are ups and downs and a lot of beautiful connections I’ve made at this time. But still, something inside me was asking for more, I still wanted to continue to learn, grow, and be able to reach more people.

So I am here, doing just that. I want to share more of what I’ve learned with you here. I know I’m not the only one who has felt anxious. I realized there are other people who seem happy and have their life together from the outside, but underneath they feel anxious, overwhelmed and burned out. This is why I am here– to share yoga to help you know you are not alone in life and there is a way to help yourself through burnout, stress, health issues and whatever life throws at you.

I’d love to join you in your story in your journey to finding health and healing through yoga.