Part 1: How I Found Yoga—And How It Found Me

I didn’t come to yoga in search of a spiritual awakening or a new way of life. I came because I was hurt.

As a lifelong athlete, I’d pushed my body hard for years. When I injured my shoulder rowing, the guidance of the athletic trainers helped ease the pain, but I was left with a frustrating loss of range of motion. My coach suggested yoga and I was skeptical. I couldn’t imagine a few stretches on a mat doing much to help where sports medicine had hit a wall.

But I gave it a try. Slowly, then steadily, I noticed change. I could move better. I felt stronger. And—without quite realizing it—I kept showing up. That was the beginning of what would become a lifelong practice.

At first, yoga was just that: physical. I liked the challenge, the way it felt to regain control over my body, the rhythm of movement and breath. But everything changed after I survived a traumatic attack. In the aftermath, I felt fragmented—disconnected from my body and myself.

It was then that yoga became something more. In addition to working with a therapist, I also began to lean heavily on my practice. I remember leaving therapy sessions and heading straight to the mat to let what we’d talked about to sink in and eventually - to leave my body. The practice that had once simply helped my shoulder move better again now helped me feel safe inside my own skin. Breath by breath, I learned to come back to my body—not to force it, but to live in it. To make it a home again.

That’s something I believe deeply now: if you aren’t comfortable in your own body and mind, how can you expect to live comfortably in the world?

Yoga creates that space. You’re repeatedly invited to come back to the breath, the sensations in the body, and ultimately, the present moment. It teaches you to listen to your body, to work with it instead of against it and that’s when real healing happens.

It was through that lens that I decided to become a teacher. I wanted to share what I’d found—not just the poses, but the deeper, quieter benefits: reduced stress, emotional resilience, a grounded sense of self. The things that don’t always show up on the outside, but transform your life from the inside out.

Because yoga doesn’t end when the mat rolls up. It follows you into your relationships, your reactions, your workday, your rest. And that’s the kind of yoga I love to teach. The kind that becomes your “and”.

Let’s Talk

If this resonates with you—if you’re curious about starting or deepening your yoga practice in a way that supports your life—I’d love to connect. I offer private, personalized sessions designed around your goals, your body, and your schedule.

Ready to feel more at home in your body?

Let’s talk about what’s possible.

[Call now to schedule a free consultation.]