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

My mind and body felt open and tranquil - something I had not quite experienced before. I was in graduate school at the University of Virginia at the time and I felt a direct experience of what I had been studying in psychology..

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

Locally, Angela Phillips was a very influential teacher for me - she exposed me to many facets of the 8-limbed practice, helped me refine my postures and alignment, and challenged me to be stronger. She also taught me how to meditate and facilitated my experiences of breath-oriented work. Beyond the local area I spent a lot of time in practice/study with Shiva Rea, Janet Stone, and Tiffany Cruikshank. Shiva empowered my energetic practice and inspired everything from how I move to how to tune in to the body/mind (embodiment), finding fluidity, and living in rhythm with nature; Janet immersed me in bhakti (devotional practice) and the philosophy of Tantra (weaving spiritual experience into daily life); and, Tiffany deepened my understanding of anatomy, physiology, and therapeutics and inspired me to cultivate a blend of my passions in psychology and yoga to create/teach a Yoga for Mental Health and Wellbeing module for her advanced certification program that we offer internationally.

What led you to pursue yoga teacher training?

I had been practicing daily for 4 years, teaching donation classes for 3 years, and taking workshops - I was so hungry and ready for more, more, more!

Define Yoga in your terms?

Yoga is both a practice and a state. As a practice it is an integrative system that weaves ethics, movement, physiology, psychology, and spirit to attain liberation from human suffering. As a state it is union/bliss - that place where you are in touch with pure essence.

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

Try to experience it versus 'do' it - much of it may not make sense at first and that's ok! Keep coming back and it will become clear. Notice how you feel after class and connect that to what you did in class.

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

Deep embodiment and helping others find that when they practice.

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

I came to my first class with the intention of meeting some friends, and kind of thought the light might be a newer fad. I typically don't practice in heat (but always loved sound baths), so I was a little unsure of the combination of modalities. After experiencing my first class, I was blown away by how the chromotherapy paired with gentle heat and sound was the perfect setting for finding a meditative state and my body felt great! I had back pain that had been lingering for a few weeks and it completely vanished! It was a very pleasant surprise!.

Explain how you weave color therapy into your yoga sessions.

I'm still exploring and learning, but for now I'm pairing colors with areas of the body associated with chakras (energy centers).

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

I feel very drawn to green - it gives me a sense of openness and connection.

Do you have a favorite pose while in that color?

Triangle pose and half moon - I feel everything radiating out from my heart.

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

Meditative movement, therapeutic awareness, the ability to release stress and recover, and space to be quiet and still.

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

I am a Personal Growth Psychologist/Coach and I help folks manage stress and create goals to live to their potential. I'm passionate about integrative mind/body modalities for optimal health and wellbeing. I love anything science-based related to longevity and wellness. I'm a Virginia Beach native and live in Croatan with my husband and micro sheepadoodle (sheepdog/poodle) - we love long days at the beach, walks, and really good food. I'm a travel junkie - up for pretty much any adventure in another land.