FROM REBEL-ROUSER TO PEACEMAKER
The seed of yoga expressed itself early in my life when as a teenager, I used to practice the ABC’s of Yoga written by Kareen Zebroff. I didn’t really know how to practice but something in me was drawn to the poses.
This seed began to sprout when after years of involvement in social justice activism at my University, I found myself angry, isolated, and judgemental and I needed a way out of the mental madness that imprisoned me in a hostile world. At that time, yoga not only was a medicine for my body which I had neglected, it also spoke to my spirit. This began a gradual shift and in addition to my yoga studies, I became interested in Non-Violent Communication and Conflict Resolution.
In 2012, at a Mediation Course at the Justice Institute, I realized yoga had helped me transform from being the person who created conflict to the person who people come to when in conflict!Â
– Baba Hari Dass
WHEN THE STUDENT IS READY THE TEACHER APPEARS.
MANY PATHS, ONE TRUTH
For more than 10 years, in addition to teaching and practicing yoga, my life was (and still is) inexotricably tied to technology. I began podcasting before the word was even created and spent countless hours recording interviews with some of the greatest spiritual teachers on the planet! This experience inspired and shaped me in ways I can’t even put into words.
I interviewed Carolyne Myss, Krishna Das, Deva Premal, Lama Surya Das, and the spiritual Master Paramhas Swami Maheshwarananda along with hundreds of other authors, teachers, and visionaries. I produced podcasts for Drishti Point Yoga, Banyen Books, and Hollyhock.
The thread that runs through all the interviews is that we are here to expand in love, serve each other, and realize the highest truth of human existence- non-duality, self- realization, God-realization or Enlightenment. Whatever you call it, it is our birthright and our Divine destiny.
THE P-WORD
In 2016, my life changed dramatically when my husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Supporting him through denial, despair, depression and having faith that healing is possible has required all of my yogic superpowers in love, acceptance, compassion, understanding, and faith. Throughout it all, my anchor has been the practices of asana, mantra, yoga nidra and trust that every soul is evolving and sometimes growth requires hardships.
A short film about my husband’s health crisis and journey in healing can be found here.
SMOOTH WATERS DO NOT MAKE A GOOD SAILOR
The biggest lesson I have learned is that some virtues can only be cultivated in context of their opposite. Hardships and challenges can deepen us in ways that good fortunes and privilege can’t. The blessing of my husband’s diagnosis has brought us together in ways we could never have imagined. As he lets go of his old self and his old life, something precious is being born in his soul. Sometimes, it takes a disaster to wake us up, shake up our belielfs, and make us receptive.
NOW
These days, you can find me teaching on Zoom, creating Retreats that facilitate transformation, and putting my conflict resolution skills to work with clients and couples. Join my monthly program, sign up for a yearly package that includes coaching/mentoring or commit to a Retreat. I invite you to walk this path with me so we can share our gifts and wisdom with each other, learn from each other, and seek to love, serve, and realize our highest potential.
words from the heart