I began practicing yoga in 2015, struggling with anxiety and constant fear, indecision, and confidence. I stumbled upon an Instagram account of a woman doing a handstand. When I began my practice, that was my only goal—to handstand—and I quickly learned that asana is the least important aspect of yoga. Within one year, I was certified as a teacher, and in that one year, I began the practice of managing my anxiety using breathwork and mindful movement.
The biggest thing I’ve gained from the practice of yoga is the ability to let go of fear and how to speak to people from a place of kindness. I’ve learned how to respond instead of reacting, the ability to think about how my actions and words will affect other people, and how not everything other people say is meant to hurt me.
As a teacher, I enjoy playful but grounding sequences, with a lot of standing balance and “funky” transitions while focusing on the breath. I teach Vinyasa (my favorite), Yin yoga, and restorative. My favorite yoga pose is half moon, or ardha chandrasana. My mantra is “it’s all good, just breathe.” Yoga shouldn’t be stressful, and life is stressful—I say this to my students during class and to myself during life!
