“Movement is the root of all psychological functioning”

This quotation by Ruella Frank expresses my philosophy about yoga and its’ importance in mental and physical wellness. I like to say, yoga is the world’s first PE program ☺, but yoga goes far beyond the physical realm or post-workout, “feel good” results. I teach yoga first and foremost as a therapeutic practice that allows us a break from the stress of our lives and the space to reconnect with ourselves and the wisdom of the Yamas and Niyamas. These are Yoga’s ethical precepts that function as a gateway to health, contentment, and awakening. My lineage, Integral Yoga, is an intersectional, full spectrum yoga practice, teaching discipline, morals, and a holistic view of the human and life. 

“Happiness is a byproduct of a quiet mind, an easeful body, and a sense of purpose.”

My yoga philosophy, inspired by Sri Swami Satchidananda, the Woodstock Guru, is the above quote. A simple, ancient approach to mental and physical wellness. Yoga functions as the quintessential wellness practice for all humans. Yoga inspires us to embody active wellness within ourselves, overwriting stress and producing something more profound like healthy relationships, a strong, regulated body and an open heart. Yoga provides the drive and resilience to meet our goals with faith and fortitude.

My teaching philosophy, rooted in the Humanities, explores yoga as a holistic investigation into how to live well and cultivate self-care as the means not just to survive the stresses of modern life, but to thrive and flourish. I enthusiastically embrace my students’ well- being with passion and practicality. Seeing them as their True Self, filled with innate wisdom, vitality and possibilities. Most importantly, I create an accessible yoga experience where all students can practice together regardless of age, size, ability, or experience level.

I was inspired to teach yoga because of its’ powerful healing qualities, the sophisticated curriculum, and most importantly, because yoga helps me to prioritize my values, and to remember, and love, who I really am. I teach yoga because I believe in it. Yoga is real! That alone stands out. As a teacher, I want to be affiliated with real learning, liberation, and lasting results. Teaching yoga is my dharma: it gives me a sense of worth that transfers to my students in spades.

Beyond cathartic and therapeutic, yoga is transformative! We are “re-born” every time we practice yoga and these daily “rebirths’ develop in us the embodied sense yoga is famous for — grounded, whole, content and calm, with a keener perception of what is: The Golden Present. When we are attuned to the present moment and know how we feel in it, we are practicing mindfulness. This simple, holistic communication with our body-and-mind allows us to tap into and reawaken our “Indigenous Self,” giving us the truest sense of belonging, in our body and the world around us. This connection, the yogic connection, is the best medicine out there and it resides inside of each of us. “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” ― The Bhagavad Gita.

“The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves.” 

― Swami Vivekananda. 

Yoga means “to yolk,” to join or bind; a science dedicated to integration: of the body, mind and soul; the inner and outer world; and each of us with Nature; to create a harmonious state. Yoga is the union, a return to, our own true nature, one’s “Indigenous Self.” The Yamas and Niyamas, central in Yogic theory, teach us how to take care of ourselves and others. Svadhyaya is “self study” and takes us deep into the many layers of our own structure and agency, providing the practitioner with important human insight and skill. Yoga also allows us to connect to each other more naturally and helps me as a teacher learn about, understand and connect with the layers of you, my student. In a culture riddled by cyber addiction and disconnect, eroded bonding instinct, and a general move away from healthy attachment, Yoga is our way back. In other words, yoga teaches us how to build and maintain healthy human relationships. It’s a thing! ☺

Most importantly, Yoga is an anti-oppressive, liberatory practice, a brilliant gesture of restorative justice: Transform yourself, transform the world.  When yoga is positioned to be accessible, inclusive, and respectful of the diversity and dignity of each person, it becomes a living, breathing catalyst for social justice — an opportunity for each of us to experience ourself and others as worthy of advocacy and empowerment, and each of us capable of making contributions to the betterment of the whole. Students report not only healing their lower back and autoimmune issues, but also eating more mindfully, enrolling in yoga teacher training, and healing childhood trauma. Yoga is vast, comprehensive and nearly timeless; a philosophy and praxis, providing us with infinite hard and soft skills for real world context, our relations, choices, and solutions.