When I began my yoga journey in the late 1980s, I knew right away that yoga was the path to healing my body, improving my self-confidence, and challenging my limiting beliefs. More than anything else, getting on the mat got me out of my head and into my body and heart. My asana practice was my sanctuary and a great counterbalance to sitting all day at my job as an editor.
My passion for yoga inspired me to start teaching in 1990, which is also when I took my first of many yoga teacher training courses. In fact, I began teaching at the same time as I started learning how to teach. I’m a hands-on kind of person!
My adventures in teaching began accidentally when my teacher didn’t show up for class and, since we were all gathered, I offered to lead the group. This was a huge turning point for me. Afterwards, my teacher and I talked and she recommended me for teacher training and eventually passed the class reins to me. This class was held in a basement rifle range under a bowling alley! Even though it was dusty and loud, we all learned how to move our bodies with mindfulness and skill.
I loved witnessing the positive effects of the practice light people up! To this day, I am grateful for the opportunity to help people feel good about themselves through yoga and mindful movement.
My group class and private coaching offerings are informed by my passion for mindful and healthy movement as well as my knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and my capacity for modifying any practice to meet my clients' individual needs.
With the pandemic came big changes in my life and my teaching after I contracted COVID-19 and was later diagnosed with a chronic pulmonary embolism and Long Covid. My new lesson in life was about healing through pacing myself.
In the fall of 2022, I decided to take a sabbatical from teaching classes after I contracted COVID a second time and experienced what is known as a COVID crash. Essentially, my body and mind insisted I rest.
During my sabbatical, I was fortunate to be part of a Long COVID research study, which opened up new avenues of learning and transformed my personal pranayama practice. In addition to my ongoing love of teaching yoga and mindful movement, I'm now inspired to support to others with Long COVID and other energy-limiting conditions. I focus on acceptance, breath work and well-paced movement coaching.
In the spring of 2023, I face another challenge - surgery. I had discectomy and fusion in my neck. Once I was ready to get moving again, I came back Pilates Reformer classes to mobilize and strengthen by body and to connect me to a supportive community. In fact, I have now become a certified Pilates Reformer teacher!
You can find me teaching group classes at Wildflower Yoga Collective and Junction 9 Yoga & Pilates in Calgary.
Education and Experience
30+ years of ongoing yoga study and practice, including multiple teacher trainings at the 200 and 300 hour levels as well as specialty yoga courses
30+ years of teaching yoga classes, workshops, retreats
20+ years of leading yoga teacher training and professional development courses
17+ years as a Registered Massage Therapist
Certified Critical Alignmentâ„¢ teacher
Certified Personal Trainer in Restorative Exercise through Nutritious Movementâ„¢
Certified Functional Breathing & Breathing for Yoga Instructor through Oxygen Advantage
Certified Reformer Pilates Teacher
Current and ongoing studies in anatomy, yoga biomechanics, somatics, pain science and whatever lights me up!
Degree in Communications
Diploma in Journalism
Former yoga studio owner and operator in Calgary, Alberta
Founder of Inspired Yoga Institute and Inspired Yoga and Wellness teacher training schools
Areas of Interest
I draw upon my training and practice in various styles of yoga as well as ongoing study in the following fields:
Anatomy & Biomechanics
Movement Science
Yoga Philosophy
Pranayama & Meditation
Therapeutic Applications of Yoga Asana, Pranayama and Meditation
Supporting people with Long COVID and other long term health concerns.