What do you remember the first time you took a yoga class?

My first memory of a yoga class was with my mom in middle school. She dragged my cranky self out of bed in the summer to join her at the local gym. I remember feeling like a fish out of water in the class- “where do I have to put my foot”, “what is this breath stuff”, “why does this remind me of twister,” etc. After class, I noticeably felt better but couldn’t explain why. I continued to go with my mom and friends on and off through high school & then it just stuck. When I was younger, I didn’t know why I felt good but knew it couldn’t be bad for me so kept it up. As my practice evolved over the years (while there were break periods in there) yoga was something that I always kept coming back to over and over.

Did you have a favorite Yoga instructor when you were a practicing yoga student? How did that instructor help you in your yoga practice?

There have been a number of yoga teachers along the way that have influenced my practice- to name them all would take some time! As a yoga student, I gravitated to instructors who were either going to push me or force me to relax. Complete opposites I know, but really depended on what my body needed most in that moment. Of all the instructors who have influenced me, what they all had in common was an uncanny ability to make me accept my body where it was that day & view my approach in class (and outside class) with a different perspective. When I step into a class, it's not to be the best or reach a new posture (don’t get me wrong, reaching a new pose is great) but to rather meet myself where I am that day and give my body what it needs and push where possible. I strive to come out of my practice a better version of myself than when I walked in… nothing more or nothing less.

What led you to pursue yoga teacher training?

• I had been practicing yoga on and off since I was 16 years old, and unlike other forms of exercise that can become stale for me, yoga was something that kept pulling me back in. When I moved to Virginia Beach in 2016, I took the move as a chance to fall in love with yoga again. I bounced around to a few different studios gaining exposure to many different styles (not just the power yoga I was accustomed too but yin, restorative, gentle, hot, etc.) This opened a whole new world that I didn’t know existed & allowed me to connect in ways with myself that I had not in a long time. Little did I know this was the beginning of a lifelong love for yoga & continuous growth and transformation. I was HOOKED!

• I decided to take the leap in 2019 to enroll in Studio Bamboo’s teacher training- little did I know the amount of growth and transformation I was embarking on. During the training period, I learned more about myself and found ways to better handle difficulties that life will inevitably throw at you. As the training progressed, friends and family kept asking what I was doing- “How are you managing your stress” or “You seem so calm.” “You just seem different & at peace.” I didn’t realize the impact that the transformation I underwent would have on me.

• Upon completion of the program, I decided that teaching was definitely something I wanted to pursue further. As a corporate sales girlie, who spent WAY too many hours working and stressed, I felt that there were a number of individuals like me who were in a constant cycle of work, stress about work, repeat & with the progressing mental health crisis there was an opportunity to help those around me. I thought by teaching, if I could help just one person find a little bit of peace in their life and take an hour for themselves to reset, maybe they can begin to find their center within themselves.

Define Yoga in your terms?

Yoga to me is about connecting the body and mind to interact as one. In our crazy hectic world, people are moving so fast that this gets lost in the day to day. Never has there been a time in history that we need to take the time to slow down & recharge. The body is a wonderful tool, but if the body & mind are not one you are only using half of what was given to you. Imagine what you can achieve when both are working in accordance with each other. Yoga helps create this connection through precise movements and breath.

If a person is brand new to yoga, what advice would you give that person?

Do not worry about being perfect! The beauty of yoga is that it is a practice and to take each class as it comes. Listen to how your body is feeling that day! If it is sleepy, take a child’s pose. If full of energy maybe do one more chaturanga. Aim for progress not perfection and you will be amazed by the results!

We all have superpowers when we are doing what we love…what is your yoga superpower?

My yoga superpower is to incorporate meditation into my classes wherever possible. Meditation is such a beautiful tool that can be difficult to practice on your own & love to give my students tools to do this inside and outside of the classroom.

Tell me about your first experience in the room, what surprised you or stuck with you after that first session?

My first experience in the room was AMAZING! I knew going in that the lights, sound and heat would be incorporated, but what I did not expect was the natural flow of the elements within a class. The sound and lights rejuvenated my spirit and made me feel in an indescribable state of calm.

Explain how you weave color therapy into your yoga sessions.

Color therapy is an amazing tool within a yoga class & I aim to weave colors in accordance with the time of day & my students' energy when they enter into a class. I love to incorporate red light in the beginning to stimulate the senses and always progress the class to blue and pink/purple hues to calm the mind and transport students to a state of relaxation.

Do you have a color you just seem to release into when doing ChromoYoga?

During the day, I am constantly on the move or under fluorescent lighting so for me I LOVE the softer blue and pink/purple hues. Those colors send my “monkey brain” into a state of complete calm and relaxation. My body keeps craving that for long after the class is over!

Do you have a favorite pose while in that color?

Where I am in my car or at a desk most days, I am a huge fan of twists and hip openers. While both of these are fairly active postures, I enjoy the softer lighting to help me release further in these tighter areas of the low back, SI, and hips.

What can a student expect when they join you for a yoga class here at Coastal Pilates and Yoga?

My goal for every student is to feel comfortable being themselves. My classes are for “everybody” and encourage students to let me know if there is an area that is particularly bothersome for them that day. This is YOUR class and I want everyone to get the most out of it possible! I am open to questions, feedback, and suggestions!

Tell me what you do when you are not teaching yoga?

• I have been in corporate sales for 10 years & spend my days trying to support local businesses with their HR/Payroll infrastructure needs. After work you can find me in a yoga class or playing with my dog Lulu Belle. Lulu is 3 yr. Old collie/aussie and I am obsessed with her in every way!

• In my spare time, I am almost always planning trips (avid traveler- LOVE learning about different cultures), spending time with friends and family (Family is in KY but visit as often as possible), HUGE cook and baker (always trying some new recipe and sharing with those around me), avid reader, and watching WAY to many of the same movies/shows on repeat (need new suggestions).