1. Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Dallas TX
2. How long have you been practicing Bikram Yoga and what prompted you to take your first Bikram Yoga class?
I started practicing the 26&2 in 2011 when I went through my first bout of depression after college. I started practicing primarily for the mental health benefits, and I still come primarily for the mental health benefits.
3. Why did you become an instructor and what aspects of Bikram Yoga have had the greatest effect on you?
Practicing the 26 & 2 in the hot room has been a life saving tool for me, and this is why I care deeply about sharing it and trying to make it more accessible for people. My practice has saved my life in so many ways, and I truly believe an inevitable shift happens in a person’s life when they start to get consistent with their yoga practice. There are many amazing aspects of consistent Bikram Yoga practice, but for me, the most fruitful aspect is that this practice harvests self belief. With consistent practice, little by little, you start to be able to do things you never thought you could do. Your asana practice becomes a concrete example that you can do what you once thought was impossible, and then this shifts into your life perspective.. which is incredibly powerful.
4. What do you like to do when you are not in the yoga room?
When I’m not in the yoga room I like to enjoy nature, travel, and I love learning under my amazing teachers. I love playing and enjoying music, and collaborating on creative projects with friends. I really enjoy learning from different cultural perspectives and expanding my awareness of the world.
5. What is your favorite pose in the Bikram series and why?
Standing Forehead to Knee and Standing Bow Pulling are my favorite Bikram postures because they are the most difficult for me! Pushing into my mental and physical edge is a big reason why I practice, so I can always keep pushing my mental and physical edge and expanding what I am capable of.
6. What advice would you give to any new student?
Just show up, do what you can, and lay down when you need to! The only requirement is that you breathe the whole class! Your body will get used to the heat and the postures in time, but you’ll start receiving therapeutic benefits from your first class onward! I know there is an intimidation factor when considering hot yoga, but please don’t be intimidated! This series and these tools were designed to offer you healing and create change and balance in your life! This practice is for everyone (yes EVERYONE: old, young, skinny, fat, injured, strong, inflexible, depressed, anxious) and I am specifically passionate about working with people who are new to the practice and looking for a shift in their life. So please, come work with us! We are here to serve you and lift you up.
