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

I remember feeling so nervous at first, and a huge sense of renewal after class ended. I didn't think I could make it through class, and when I finished, knowing only I completed all those postures, I had to go back! It was so empowering.

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

I did! I still think of her cues and her grace when I teach now. She was very patient and present during class, and always offered inclusive variations for everyone. She taught me that growth, on and off the mat, doesn't happen overnight, and that to achieve our goals, we must breathe calmly through every small moment. I carry that to this day!

What led you to pursue yoga teacher training?

I fell in love with yoga around 2016 and knew I would teach one day. I waited until life offered a window of time and opportunity, and in November 2022, I received my yoga teacher license from Hot or Not Yoga and Massage Studio in Newport News, VA. I have been teaching ever since!

Define Yoga in your terms?

Yoga is presence and self. We empower ourselves in creating a safe space on our mats to pause all else, focus on our breath and connection to our minds and bodies. Yoga is growth!

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

Breathe, let go, and have fun! I love introducing beginners to the world of yoga because it is an invitation to go within ourselves and navigate your own power, strength, and joy!

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

My superpower is guiding you to your meditative practice through your breath and movement. I offer alignment, variations, and modifications, but my superpower is reminding you to breathe, any chance I get!

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?

The colors are so vibrant and vivid! I could really feel the difference in energy depending on the color, which felt cleansing, intentional, and engaging. That combined with the sound bath pushes the outside world from the room and your mind, which guides me back to myself.

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.

During the chakra flow, we flow through all the colors of the spectrum to engage with all 7 chakras as we flow, building a momentum of energy that intensifies, peaks, and releases during savasana. The SunBath class also utilizes colors, focusing on the reds and oranges that uplift and energize us through our asanas. As we work through our breath, each color unlocks or deepens our chakras with awareness, grace, and gratitude.

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 really love the yellow color, representing the solar plexus chakra of personal power. The whole room lights up, encouraging my body to nourish my practice with presence and channel my confidence.

Do you have a favorite pose while in that color?

Camel pose! Seeing and feeling the warmth of the yellow color, I can feel my solar plexus chakra opening, and slowly energize my heart chakra to open; it's so beautiful and empowering!

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

Get ready for 60 minutes of guided meditation that builds on your strength and power, utilizing your breath to enhance alignment, so you leave feeling rejuvenated and strong.

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

When I'm not on my mat, I'm enjoying walks in the woods, dancing while cooking, and reading with my furbabies.