My yoga journey
My journey with yoga has been one of transformation and redemption. I came to yoga in 2009 when I was sedentary, depressed, struggling with low back pain, smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, and drinking to get drunk every night. Since then I went back to school and earned my PhD, moved across the country, quit drinking and smoking, and came out as queer and non-binary. None of these shifts would have been possible without the body awareness that my yoga practice has allowed me to build. Every day we have choices to do things that make us feel good - or things that make us think we feel good. What do you want to choose?
Along the way, I’ve discovered the joy of teaching and holding space in various contexts - universities, yoga studios, and community settings. I’m always learning and growing and I’m planning to begin a master’s degree in counseling psychology in the fall. I currently volunteer as a sexual assault counselor for those affected by sexual violence and am continually humbled by the resilience and strength of the human spirit I see in this space.
Outside of yoga, I love queer things, cooking, live music, and spending time outdoors, and I live in the Santa Cruz mountains with my little rescue dog, Dezzy.
SELECTED CERTIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Rape Trauma Services September 2024
California State Certified Sexual Assault Counselor
80-hour training on responding to the needs of sexual violence survivors, the effects of trauma, counseling skills, and medical, legal, and law enforcement issues related to sexual violence, with attention to identity and power, including the needs of survivors who are minors, undocumented, trafficked, etc.
Yoga District November 2012
Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Instructor
200-hour yoga teacher training covering trauma-informed approaches, Vinyasa, Sivananda, yoga anatomy, and working in settings such as prisons and schools
Yoga Shala August 2013
Anusara-inspired yoga teacher training
75-hour yoga teacher training covering Anusara-inspired alignment principles, divine play, and hands-on assists
Stanford University Environmental Health and Safety July 2024
CPR, Automatic External Defibrillator, and First Aid Certification
Harvard Graduate School of Education Professional Education August 2024
Instructional Coaching Through Change
A six-week online course to develop skills in one-on-one instructional coaching, including low-inference observations, empathic listening, relationship-building, supporting clients’ goals and agency, positionality and equity, and asset-based mindsets
Niroga Institute July 2019
Dynamic Mindfulness
A 2-day in-person institute focused on applying mindfulness and yoga in educational settings for increased social emotional learning and self-regulation, particularly for under-represented minorities and low socio-economic populations
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