This question. Oh man. I remember at an early age really wondering what my purpose in life was. I think my parents were a little nervous for me because I thought so deeply for a young child BUT I always wanted to help others. If I could pinpoint something I wanted to be – I wanted to be a modern day Mother Teresa. Typing that makes me laugh a little actually but I think on some level, it may still be partly true. So. There you go. New Instagram name = ModernDayMotherTeresa. Just Kidding.

Can I have two? If so, I will start with my mother. She is a very strong, independent woman and was the first person to show me that there is a different way of living through recovery. For that and many other things, I am blessed to be her daughter. Second – my Higher Power. I refer to him as HP because he is pretty dang cool. My Higher Power is an endless source of love and the miracles in life never cease to amaze me if I choose to keep an open relationship with my HP.

HP – you da best.

When I first started living a more health conscious lifestyle, it was more for outward appearances but as I have grown, it is truly because I no longer wish to live poorly. How we treat ourselves in every aspect (food, exercise, relationships) is a reflection of our inner worth. I slowly realized that I deserved better and to feel better as well. It is possible to live a well balanced, healthy life. Once you decide that that is what you want, you wont settle for anything less.

I think I just thought about this question for five minutes. This is a hard one. My fave thing about yoga is that it is yoga. It’s so simple yet so complex. It’s such a well rounded practice. It offers the physical, asana practice – I will continue to push myself in ways I never thought possible. Holding a posture for minutes at a time is intense as all hell. I will continue to learn new postures, build strength and flexibility and refine my practice. Yoga offers a meditative aspect. You have to connect to your breath. Well, you dont have to but your practice will transform once you do. And, the very things I learn on my mat, I take with me outside the studio as well. Everything. I didnt even notice the subtle shifts within me outside the studio as I continued to practice yoga. My state of mind shifted and I am beyond grateful I found this practice when I did. I am truly humbled that I will forever be a student. I’ve said it before and I will say it again. Yoga is pure magic.

Yoga. 🙂

Just Kidding. Well – partly. What do I do for fun outside the studio? I am a very active person; so I love hiking, running, biking. I LOVE DIY – I like to pretend Im creative. I love reading – I try to read at least 10 pages in a book a day. More recently I listen to books on audible. And if I have some spare time, you can prob catch me watching HGTV because I secretly wish I could flip houses. Above all, squeezing my favorite grumpy old dog, Bubba. Every second I can.

You know. I’m not sure I have a favorite per say. If I have connected with you on a deeper level, I love you in a very special way. Teaching a few classes at CorePower, I have been privileged to meet a wonderful group of yogis that I get to see grow every week. With that said, I do have a very special class that I will not give up teaching for the world and that is my weekly class at Competitor Group. After working for the company, I was lucky enough to be asked to come back and teach yoga there. I truly treasure that class and look forward to it every week. Thank you all for supporting me!

You like the tough questions, dont ya? Since I started the journey, I can honestly say that my path has been unclear. In a good way if that makes sense. I have some ideas about where I’d like to go but ultimately, I am trying to be better about allowing my HP to direct my moves. So where do I think I’ll end up? Not quite sure. I have a new project that I will be working on soon, so stay tuned! I’d also like to have my own yoga studio. And if I can fit traveling the world in there, that’s always on my to do list. We will see where the wind takes me!

Being present. If I could recommend reading any book, it would be The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. It changed my entire way of thinking. Anyway – being present is the most powerful tool in my life. When I am struggling, I try to slow down enough to reconnect with the present moment. And maybe that’s my breath. Everything is perfect in this very moment. As you read this paragraph. Life is perfect. It is neither good nor bad. If I can come back to the present moment, I realize that I dont need to struggle. I can take it moment by moment if I need to.

With this new project that I am brainstorming – I have a feeling it is going to evolve. Evolve into something that is more than just yoga but definitely involves how trans-formative and essential yoga is to developing a more fulfilling and spiritual life. My hopes are to continue to teach yoga but offer a new way of living (and hopefully healing).

I was in a very dark place several years ago, having suffered greatly from the effects of alcohol and addiction. My life was an utter mess and I felt hopeless. But I was lucky enough to stumble upon the rooms of recovery and not too much later onto yoga. I found relief. I found hope.

You know, I used to want to save the world – to change it. But I have come to realize that the World doesn’t change unless you choose to change yourself first. And thats what I hope to do. To show others that there is a way out of darkness. That there is light at the end of the tunnel if youre willing to work at it.

As always, in light and in love.

Namaste.

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