How would you describe yourself?

As a woman who follows an individual path,  I often feel like an outsider. Yet that sense of looking from the outside in has probably been my most formative experience. It allowed me to recognize what wasn't being spoken about in Yoga and to research the differences and similarities between the female and male experience.

How did you get involved in Yoga?

Yoga found me. I was living in California at the time and working in a job where I needed to wear "professional" clothing. Every morning as I left my apartment dressed in skirt and blouse I saw my neighbor, Sue, leaving for work wearing a leotard and tights.   On the day that changed my life forever, Sue told me she taught Yoga at a woman's spa and that there was an opening for a position if I were interested. My story is that Yoga attracted me through fashion and then never let me go. 

How many years have you been practicing?

More than 25 years. I like to think of it as living the life rather than practicing.

where did you train to become a yoga teacher?

I have a certification as a Professional Level Yoga Teacher from Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Prior to that, I had earned a Master's degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Anatomy and Physiology. Blending these two streams of knowing has made all the difference by allowing me to see through the pose into the person.

What have you explored that has influenced this work?

I've done my best to explore the art and the skill of listening to inner guidance and then cultivated the courage to follow that guidance!  This has led me to learn from many wise and wonderful women and men.  

What do you feel is unique about this work?

I think the uniqueness of this work stems from my dedication to researching the differences in female and male - especially around the nature of anatomical structure. The work illuminates how these differences affect both a woman's alignment as well as her energetic experience of a pose.  I've also spent 20 years as a faculty member in many Yoga Teacher Training programs presenting anatomy curriculums that emphasis these differences and how to work with them. 

I know that you have studied in India.  Can you tell me a little about that experience?

In 2005, I received a NOK Foundation scholarship to attend the first-of-its-kind training “Yoga for Women” at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) in Chennai, India. The training included yogic philosophy and personal practice including asana, meditation and Vedic chanting. We also learned from case studies exploring the Yoga techniques used to treat specific problems.  I shared this experience with a group of extraordinary women from throughout the world representing every continent (except Antarctica!)

What’s your favorite anatomy book?

The three volume The Physiology of the Joints by I. A. Kapandji

What’s your favorite type of yoga mat?  

Don’t get me started.  You’ll have to read my blog post about that.

Why did you create this course?

It's my purpose - why I'm here.