My Journey
As I move through the seasons of life, ways of finding balance and well-being have continued to evolve. When I was younger, the joys and challenges of marriage and raising three lively children was intense and led me to find ease through a physically intense yoga practice.
There was something intriguing about moving through poses while being reminded to breathe that kept bringing me back to my mat. Over time, yoga and meditation practice has been vital in helping me heal through significant losses and a major illness.
After learning more about this path and experiencing its indisputable power, I was drawn to teach yoga as a way to help people rather than continuing a psychotherapy practice. With this intention, training along with the strong support of friends and family led me to open a wellness center in 2005 that blossomed and served the local community in Downingtown, PA.
There I taught yoga and meditation classes and led yoga teacher trainings and workshops for 12 years. The students, instructors and experiences from that time are deeply embedded in the fabric of my being.
While participating in an 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course in 2014, the instructor invited us to be in the moment with kindness and curiosity. She guided practices that helped us to anchor attention in the moment and to notice the themes and habits that moved through the mind.
With this cultivation of a deeper mind-body connection, I felt more alive and present in my life as I learned how to slow down long enough to look into the eyes of my family and friends and to truly be with them, rather than focusing on what was happening next. And as I turned towards challenging emotions and experiences rather than pushing them aside, I was able to hold them with compassion and build resilience.
This meaningful experience led me to train in teaching MBSR in 2015 and eventually pursue deeper mindfulness teachings. The training, just like the 8 week course emphasized the importance of consistent practice as we can only teach from what we experience and embody.
Teaching MBSR since 2016 has been incredibly beneficial in allowing me to continue to absorb meaningful lessons from the curriculum, practices and especially through interactions and inquiry with participants. Each course session is unique and while it can be a delicate and challenging balance, I love being able to help people fall awake to their lives in new and healthy ways.
My husband and I moved to the central coast of California at the end of 2017 and are enjoying exploring the natural wonders here. I am extremely grateful to be able to serve the community through these life changing practices in San Luis Obispo.
When I consistently show up on the cushion and mat so much becomes apparent: The freshness of the moment; gratitude for vitality, aliveness and interconnection; the subtle energy of emotions; my footsteps on the ground and the beauty and joy that is strewn all around.
Education and Training
MA Psychology, New York University; MSW, University of Pennsylvania; Psychotherapy practice; Clinical Social Work; Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) at the 500 hour level; MBSR teaching practicum and internship at Jefferson University’s Mindful Institute; 7 day MBSR professional training through The Center for Mindfulness – University of Massachusetts; annual attendance at 7-9 day silent retreats; leadership training at White Heron Sangha in San Luis Obispo; and mentorship with experienced MBSR teachers, advanced training, and MBSR teaching certification through the University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute.