I came to Azitala in March of 2017 to get some physical relief from some old injuries. I bought the week pass and went everyday but one. I was hooked! However, I wasn’t hooked because of the physical benefits I was experiencing; but rather, from the spiritual benefits. Yoga was providing me with daily tangible tools to find peace, calm and God for my body, mind and soul. For these reason, I began Azitala’s Teacher Training Program in the fall of 2017. After reading the introduction to “Light on Yoga” by B.K.S Iyengar, I knew I had made the right decision. “The name of the Lord is like the sun, dispelling all darkness. The moon is full when it faces the sun. The individual soul experiences fullness when it faces the Lord.” B.K.S Iyengar, expounding upon the 5th Niyama, Isvarapranidhana. This is why I am so grateful that I have found yoga and proud that I am a yoga instructor for Azitala Yoga. I hope to help others shine in the face of their Lord, whoever He may be to them. 

 

I started my yoga practice more than 10 years ago. The feeling after my first practice was comparable to that following a full body massage. It was relaxing and grounding, a feeling I wanted to maintain. Never being a big fan of a gym workout, I liked that it provided stretching, strength and a cardio workout in an enjoyable way. I feel yoga can benefit everyone, to whatever degree they practice. My interest to keep yoga in my life, led me to yoga teacher training here at Azitala in 2020. That journey was amazing, not only for the understanding of the full expression of the poses, but learning about the integration of mind and spirit in a yogi lifestyle. I look forward to sharing and practicing with each of you! 

 

With over a decade of my personal yoga practice, my journey took a transformative turn when I began to learn the history and traditions of yoga when I stepped into Azitala in 2022. Driven by curiosity and a desire to deepen my understanding, I completed my Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) in 2024. For me, yoga is a practice of patience, forgiveness, and acceptance, embracing the version of yourself that steps onto the mat each day. It is a sacred ritual and journey, helping to dissolve blockages and achieve harmony by connecting the mind, body, and spirit through breath, movement, and meditation. My teaching intention is to guide others towards a deeper awareness, appreciation, and peace in their own journeys. I look forward to meeting you on the mat and inspiring you to enhance your connection between mind, body, and spirit.

 

My history with yoga began over 15 years ago. I loved the post-yoga high, but it wasn’t until observing my friend teaching yoga in a homeless shelter on Skid Row that I began to understand the deeper connection that is possible. That experience inspired me to pursue teaching and I completed the RYT 200 program here at Azitala in 2018, then the 300 hr program in 2019. I have since trained in Thai Yoga Bodywork and Reiki. Nothing brings me greater joy than loving and serving others and yoga is one of my favorite outlets for doing just that. I believe yoga is for EVERYONE and we can find healing and connection in places we didn’t know existed; mind, body, spirit. In Patanjali’s words, “…with a peaceful mind you can go out into the world and serve well.” Come to the mat and seek your peace. Namaste.

 

I grew up the only girl an athletic family, I loved it, thrived on it and grew athletically, academically and professionally. In 2012 I took up yoga to offset a hard training regime of triathlon, focusing only on the physical piece and was easily distracted and truthfully, not present. I went to my first yoga class in 2013, I thought I wasn't going to make it through class. I realized I wasn't struggling physically, I was struggling to stay present, I was struggling to connect my breath to movement, to be in that moment. I continued pursuing yoga classes, locally, nationally and internationally, there was something in the community, the energy I could sense in the room, and yet the entire peace and oneness I felt right between the 4 corners of my mat. In 2021 I found Azitala and realized how aligned I was with the studio, the teachers and my fellow yogis. I felt called to take teacher training, no certainty of why, but certain it was a path I was meant to be on. I am so excited to lead and encourage others to explore a similar mind-body-spirit connection. "We are all more alike than we are different". These are words I try to live by, and the environment I hope to create in my classes. Can't wait to share the space with you!