The Story of How I Became a Yoga Teacher...

I never thought I’d be someone who does yoga

My first experience with yoga was a class that my mom brought me to at my karate studio. It was slow and SOOO boring! I slinked off the mat and rolled around on the benches in the back (I was a dramatic and hyper child).

Years later in high school, a friend invited me to a “power yoga” class. She framed it as the kind of yoga athletes do to enhance their performance. I loved to work out and signed up for the class which was taught in a 95-100℉ room to simulate inner body temperature and help muscles increase flexibility and strength. I really liked the class and though I didn’t go consistently it changed my view of yoga.

A shift in the military

Although I loved the physical benefits, I seldom practiced yoga once I joined the army. That was until my mental health took a serious decline, and I found myself in a Nidra yoga class at a military clinic. (A form of a relaxed state of consciousness, you can think of Nidra as sleep yoga.) I felt amazingly refreshed! My interest in yoga freshly stoked, I began attending a weekly class on base.

Each week I learned more about connecting my breath with my movements, how to tune into different subtle changes that altered the experience in my body, and new ideas on ways to approach situations. More than that I began to have moments of mental clarity. A brief peace of mind that I wasn't familiar with.

Yoga Evangelical

I told everyone about the good news of yoga, and how amazing it was and implored them to try it! I continued preaching after I left the Army and throughout college. To anyone who would lend me an ear, I would eagerly talk about yoga and dispel the myths of the "thin, flexible, white women fitness class". I gathered friends and led them through poses, breathing, and meditation.

I loved to share about Yoga!

It was all good and fun but I began to gain concerns that I would accidentally lead someone to injury without proper training. After graduation, I decided to take the next step to develop my yoga knowledge.

Rishikesh, India

North of New Delhi situated on the Ganges River is a town called Rishikesh. It's known as a pilgrimage town and is considered the "birthplace of yoga". Indeed, there are yoga schools like coffee shops on every corner.

By the time I arrived at my teacher training, I was very comfortable (probably too comfortable in hindsight) with my physical practice and found myself instead intrigued by the other elements. The breathwork (pranayama), chanting, meditation, philosophy, and anatomy. Not to mention my increased fascination and curiosity about Ayurveda, astrology, and the cakra (chakra) system (subtle energy anatomy). These were the things that fanned the flame in my heart and called me to move toward them. To deepen my knowledge of esoteric and spiritual practices.

I had my first experiences with reiki and ecstatic dance. I was surrounded by a culture full of mysticism and ancient traditions. Mesmerized by the deep pool of wisdom and esoteric knowledge I couldn't help but dip my toe in the water… and I was swept away.

Why I don't call myself a yoga teacher

Even before I went to India I never intended to have a weekly set of classes or a studio. I wanted to ensure I was

guiding others safely. I wanted to bring yoga to underserved populations that I knew could benefit from yoga.

1. I’m a practitioner

I love to learn and it's my goal to be a life-long learner. When I led my friends through practices I was sharing what I knew and my experience. I emphasized that they should listen to their body and explore movements and see what their body tells them.

In this way, I came to think of myself as a guide offering options and encouraging individual experience. I love seeing a room full of people expressing poses in all sorts of ways, that to me shows that they are listening to their body and the wisdom it has to share. So, I don't call myself a teacher, I call myself a practitioner.

2. Yoga is my foundation, not my focus

Seek the Mountains did start with weekly yoga classes but I quickly understood that yoga wasn't my true calling. Slowly I began branching out, I offered seasonal celebrations and gatherings, reading tarot, and holding space. I crafted community events that I thought sounded juicy and fun; hello Moonday Ritual, a metaphysical event of movement, meditation + journal prompts based on the Moon!

Please notice I said “movement” NOT yoga. Why?

The contrast, between what is sold in the US and what I learned in India to be the truth of yoga, hit me like a brick. And while it’s a joy to combine different aspects of what I’ve learned, once the creativity is integrated and a transformed offering comes out... it’s not yoga.

Another reason I stopped calling myself a yoga teacher (even though I still study and share its philosophy and practices) and instead describe what I do using terms like "movement" and "mindfulness".

The distraction of "yoga"

The physical poses (asanas) of yoga are vital to prepare the body for sitting and meditating. Initially, I included "yoga" in the description of my offerings to let people know that we wouldn't just sit still and become stiff. There was movement involved. But the word "yoga" drew a little picture that I realized didn't accurately represent what I was doing. Nor what I even believe yoga to be.

Yoga is a path to enlightenment — whether you practice it as such or not, that’s what it is. Yoga is a discipline that seeks to unite mind, body, and spirit - click here to learn more about yoga.

After India

I was called to Alaska during my time in Rishikesh. When I arrived I joined forces with Veterans Yoga Project (VYP) and took their Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery training, and other classes they offered. I studied the Yamas (the first branch of Yoga), read books, and underwent a mudra mentorship and Laya Yoga of Chakras certification.

Though I want to say I did this to bring it to others, the truth is, I did all of it for me. For my healing and my transformation. As it happens, I love to help and serve and empower others. I believe in leading from the front and by example and more importantly I believe that healing the world starts within. To heal the world we must heal ourselves.

So it is with an open heart and deep compassion and humility that I offer my services to you. To go beyond yoga as the Western mind knows it, to use healing practices and deeper into yourSelf.

Where to next?

Yoga means "union" and it is this harmony in connecting the individual to Self, to nature, and to the Divine, that I am passionate about. Guiding others to experience mental peace and emotional resilience, but most of all to feel relief from suffering.

I often say that I don't know where I'm going but I know the voice that calls me. I may make plans but the Universe ultimately tells me where to go! I know I'm on a path of healing and on a mission to bring more peace, joy, and love into the world!

I'm on a mission to bring more peace, joy, and love into the world!

Book a free consultation to learn more about working with me.