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

I was a competitive gymnast until I was 14 years old. I was homeschooled, and we practiced 8 hours a day. It was intense! We had one hour each week to explore different movement modalities — that’s when I was first introduced to yoga. I remember how different it felt to be still in poses, to move slowly, and how similar the mind/body awareness element was between yoga and gymnastics.

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

My favorite yoga teachers are the teachers of my yoga teacher training program. Nicole Boyle Fitzwater and Noelle Whittington. They taught me how to listen to my body, and how to teach my students how to listen to theirs, in a compassionate voice. When I first started practicing with Nicole, I was very in tune with the physicality of the practice. Throughout the years as Nicole’s student, I deepened my yoga practice, and it became more about the internal, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the practice that lit me up. Noelle draws a tribal, devotional style of teaching that I resonate with and am inspired by. I have so much gratitude for these women, as they have changed my life and the lives of many others!

What led you to pursue yoga teacher training?

When my grandfather was in his last few weeks, I helped take care of him when I could. One day, I kept asking if he needed anything, and I must have been irritating him because he asked me to take a ‘leave of absence’ from taking care of him. We laughed it off. Once he passed, there was something missing. We were very close, and I was grieving. I knew I needed to use my energy to grow internally. I felt the call to head back to my college town and go through yoga teacher training. In 2019 I took the 200-hour Kunga Yoga Teacher Training at In Balance Yoga in Blacksburg, VA. In Balance was my sanctuary during my college years- it’s where I deepened my practice and made yoga a daily ritual. The training was a month-long immersion — so I took a leave of absence from my job to take the training. Thanks for the inspiration, grandaddy!

I then went on to take my 300-hour Kunga Yoga Teacher Training at In Balance in Blacksburg, VA. I completed my 300 hours in August 2022.

Define Yoga in your terms?

Yoga means space — creating space in the physical body, heart, mind, and soul. Yoga means ‘doing’ less and ‘being’ more. Yoga is all-encompassing love. It is a pathway to integrate, heal, and expand, so we can become and show up as our best selves for ourselves and others.

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

All you have to do is show up and breathe. Yoga is a way to explore movement in your body in a new way, connect with yourself on a deeper level, and find a still, clear ‘blue sky mind’. Come with an open mind and an open heart. Leave judgment at the door and see what is possible. Know that your body and mind are different every day. Take what you need and leave what you don’t — always listen to your body.

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

My yoga superpower is my breath. I have cultivated a strong breath in my yoga practice. It is a tool that helps me deepen my practice full spectrum. I use my breath as an anchor to keep my mind in a meditative flow state. I ride my breath to move my body through both challenging poses and restful ones. Breathwork is a powerful tool to move, change, and transform energy in and around the body.

At Coastal Pilates and Yoga we are incorporating the healing modalities of heat, sound and colored light (chromotherapy) into our practice of chromoyoga. Tell me about your first experience in the room, what surprised you or stuck with you after that first session?

I felt so present. The heat, lights, and sound created a beautiful sensory experience that allowed me to connect and explore my practice in a new way.

Chromotherapy (color light therapy) is a healing modality that can improve the health of the body and mind. Explain how you weave color therapy into your yoga sessions.

I first feel out the intention of my class, then connect the colors that match the intention, energy, and vibe of the class.

Often the color that we are most attracted to is the color we need. Do you have a color that you just seem to release into when doing chromo yoga?

I love the magenta color! It feels warm and inviting allowing me to dive deep into my heart space. It feels like love!

Do you have a favorite pose while in that color?

Camel! Shining my heart up to the sky and magenta lights feels lovingly expansive. Camel can push me to my edge but it requires me to dive deep into my breath- in and out through my heart. I also love looking at the ceiling and seeing the magenta color. It’s such a warm, sensory experience.

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

I have an intuitive and exploratory approach to yoga. I incorporate creative transitions, playful energy, and an inviting voice. Expect to receive spirited guidance and leave feeling spacious, inspired, and empowered.

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

When I’m not teaching, you’ll find me walking my dog on the beach, taking a dip in the ocean, riding my bike, spending time with my husband, cooking vegan meals, traveling with my friends, drinking cacao, and hanging with family.