The Story
My teaching is grounded in experience. It is guided from the heart. It is expansion. It is transformation. I take my students to the edge physically, energetically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually - whether that be in one my rocking public classes, intimate private sessions, transformative retreats, or online classes. My teaching is much more than just physical, I weave in the subtle layers of yoga, such as the Chakras, Eight Limbs, Meditation, Shadow Work, Philosophy, and Kleshas while making it relatable to any practitioner, even in an - I will admit it - annoyingly funny way. Expect to be challenged on all levels, but with that, expect to break your limitations.
Born in the Bay Area, raised in Santa Monica, I grew up taking full advantage of what California is known for- surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, playing sports, and raising hell. Before beginning my yoga journey, I lived a very active lifestyle- lifting weights, training for triathlons, and surfing just about every day. When I finally stepped onto the mat in 2001; I was hooked. I was immensely humbled by how the yoga practice gets into the subtleties of our entire human experience. It was yoga that showed me how everything is related, how to live in the present, and how to use the awareness of reality and the present to transform our future in alignment with our higher Self. After seven years of a consistent practice, I took my first 200-hour teacher training with Tamal Dodge, and immediately began teaching at several yoga studios in Santa Monica and Venice. Not long after that, I was introduced to Ashtanga. Shortly after adopting a daily Ashtanga practice, my teacher, Sonya Cottle-Hanlon, asked if I would assist her in the Mysore room at YogaWorks; I responded with a resounding YES. After assisting Sonya for several months, I began subbing Sonya’s classes, and I took the 200-hour teacher training at YogaWorks with Jesse Schein, and David Kim. I completed the full 500-hour program with my mentor, Joan Hyman. I am thankful for studying under the greats, but most importantly, I am thankful for my biggest teacher - my daily Ashtanga, pranayma, and mediation practice.
The foundation of my teaching is expansion in all aspects of the Self. Expanding ourselves physically, energetically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually with intention, commitment, courage, and compassion. I truly believe yoga to be a tremendous tool for change- to show us what is, give us the way to do things differently, and monitor the development of what it is that we’re changing. And just like with any tool, with practice and refinement, we can eventually master the tool and use it for not only our own personal benefit, but for the benefit of all. I believe that to practice yoga is to practice living, and we can use our practice to help us with how we live, within our own body and mind, as well as how we live within our communities and the entire collective itself. Thanks to my non-yoga background, I am able to relate to my students, no matter their level or capabilities, and demonstrate how students can use the physical part of the yoga practice (asana) as a way to move into any and all aspects of our practice, and into our lives. I truly want my students, everyone really, to grow and thrive, and live their authentic lives filled with exploration, joy, balance, and most of all love.
Today, you can catch me at the Yogaworks Santa Monica Main St Studio every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 PM for an In-Person Vinyasa Flow class. I lead international yoga retreats, hold local and international workshops, and I just launched my own online yoga class platform- VISTARA FLOW. I give yoga back to the community by working with kids living with hemophilia, speaking at many local schools on the benefits of yoga, and teaching at the yoga program at Santa Monica High School for those fortunate high school students who chose yoga as a PE elective.
I live on the Westside of Los Angeles with my fiance, raising a beautiful little girl, training our new rescue lab-mix, surfing as often as I can, and continuing to learn every day by getting on the mat and observing what is revealed.
