Yoga found me in 2009 after I had hip resurfacing surgery on my left hip for severe arthritis. I was told I would only regain 75% range of motion and for me, that was not acceptable.  I began using DVD's and YouTube for my yoga experiences until a friend introduced me to SoulSpace Yoga in Southington, CT.  It was love at first Ado Mukha Svanasana! I soon enrolled in the 200-hour training and my life became completely immersed in the practice.  I teach Health Education and knew that yoga would be a perfect fit for my 9th graders during our Stress unit.  So, in 2010, I introduced yoga to my students and they loved it.  From that point on, it has been an integral part of our Health program.  Last year, my heart kept encouraging me to offer yoga as a semester program inclusive of the history of yoga, pranayama, asana, mantras, mudras, yamas, niyamas, and mindfulness.  I wrote a proposal for a curriculum and much to my delight, it was approved and passed within days.  The Bethel school system has been extremely supportive, not only of the program and of the physical, emotional and social benefits it brings to the students, but of my journey, as well.
I come from a fitness/bodybuilding background so I appreciate alignment practices, primarily for safety.  However, my primary purpose when teaching is to bring my students the greatest opportunities to develop their own sense of self-acceptance, kindness and compassion and the curiosity to stay true to their authentic selves.

As of 3-19-2016, I am now a RYT-500! Thank you Sacred Rivers in Glastonbury, CT!