What drew you to yoga?
My first ever yoga class? Hated it. Legitimately hated it. I showed up in baggy sweat pants and wore socks the whole time. If I wasn’t there with my boss I would have walked out. Here’s the thing. I played numerous sports growing up so I had an overactive competitive nature. During that class I wanted to be the best, and I wasn’t. I wanted to be the bendiest, and I wasn’t. I wanted to walk away with my head held high knowing I dominated. And that didn’t happen - not even close. I determined right then and there that yoga wasn’t my thing. Fast forward 10 years. I was jonesing to make some extra cash so I joined the Short North Lululemon Showroom team. Best part about the job? We got to workout…for free. I was hitting up every crossfit gym and taking all the boxing classes I could get my hands on.  And then the dreaded day came. I had to do yoga. Not again. I told my co-workers that yoga wasn’t my thing and that they could count me out. What?! Mandatory you say? BS. Let’s just get this over with. I went in thinking the worst, full of preconceived notions from a decade ago. But this class was different. Or maybe I was different. There was music, the pace was upbeat, it was in a dim room so I couldn’t see that potential old dude in the corner kicking my ass, and to top it off - everyone was sweating their booties off. I was like, okay, this ain’t too shabby. I got home and felt fab. My body was put through the ringer and my mind was vibe'n. I think the kids today call that “yoga drunk”. Whatever it was, I was hooked. I couldn’t get enough. I quickly found myself practicing daily. I was craving the mindfulness that yoga encouraged. I was relishing in my breath...something I hadn’t done in a long time.

Why do you practice?
I practice yoga to remain open to what’s occurring so I’m stable, spacious and steady without resistance. To create space where I was once stuck. To unveil the layers of protection that I’ve built around my heart. To appreciate my body and to become aware of my mind and the noise it creates. To make peace with who I am. To relax, release, and come home.

(Life+) How does yoga change you off the mat?
The choices I make are met with mindfulness. I know that where I am is not who I am and that I can always flip it and switch it. I’m pushed to constantly meet transitions with as much intention, grace and acceptance as I do the destination. If I feel like I’m losing my mind, I know that all I’ve really lost is my breath.

What is your style?
I do not teach according to any one lineage, I offer choices and ways to relate and integrate. My classes praise freedom of movement because our bodies and breath are our best guide. I use music as a method to stimulate the brain to release euphoric thoughts and creative movement, allowing yoga to be a dance of change. Instead of alignment, I prefer to teach you how to connect the dots. Instead of anatomy, I encourage you to become familiar with your form. I don’t offer bull$*%#, feel good crap - instead I suggest you get a grip on reality. We work together to discover our breath and notice of our bodies and how they operate, becoming familiar with ourselves so we can learn more about who we are and what we need.  I’m a firm believer that if you get too fixated on the poses it freezes things. If we try to be too exact, we’re not working from the heart. My flow is creative and instinctive, so it’s always changing. Each class gets something a little bit different, but I’m always spit’n tha truth a drop’n dope beats.

Where are you when you’re not teaching?
Spinning wax and whipping up some bomb ass plant-based food.

What illuminates you?
The bond of our breath.