Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Fort Ord California when my dad was in language school with the Army. I grew up on multiple military bases in and outside of the US borders.
How long have you been practicing Bikram Yoga and what prompted you to take your first Bikram Yoga class?
My sister took me to my first Bikram yoga class in 2008 in the lower east side of NYC.
Why did you become an instructor and what aspects of Bikram Yoga have had the greatest effect on you?
Bikram yoga was the first form of physical exercise I was able to do that made me feel strong. I was very damaged when I walked into my first class, physically and emotionally, but the practice made me feel more than that. I wanted other people to feel the same sort of strength and healing I have found within this practice.
What do you like to do when you are not in the yoga room?
When I am not in the hot room I like to practice more yoga! I also love to cook and study holistic living.
What is your favorite pose in the Bikram series and why?
My favorites tend to cycle through, so whenever I find a posture every difficult I try to make it my favorite and give myself as much love and support in it as possible. So currently it is standing head to knee pose, making it my goal to maintain the integrity of the form and breath, and ever so slowly my elbows go closer and closer to reaching below my calf muscle.
What advice would you give to any new student?
I would advise any new student to not talk yourself out of trying a posture. Your body is stronger than you think it is. Rather than wasting energy on the inner dialogue of self-doubt, use that to focus on what you can do and always breathe!
