My Story

Yoga Journey

My yoga journey began in 2008 after a life changing experience led me to strive to become more physically fit.  As an avid off-road motorcycle racer, I discovered that yoga could provide the core strength, flexibility, and cardio I required for the sport.  I began attending yoga classes with ERYT Linda Schaar and other teachers at a local gym to supplement physical training. Fast forward to the opening of David and Linda Schaar's Yoga studio and I was hooked. I was experiencing the benefits of yoga not only in my physical body, but in my mind and spirit as well.  

I enjoy welcoming new yogis with a playful but serious practice, while providing those more experienced with a challenging powerful flow. I particularly enjoy the challenge of arm balances and inversions, as well as a hot sweaty push to the limits practice. My ultimate goal is to make yoga accessible to as many as possible, and help them to experience the benefits of this both ancient and modern practice.

Experience

Yoga Instructor

I currently teach both Power and Gentle Vinyasa classes at the Powerhouse Gym in Baldwinsville, NY, as well as Power and Fusion classes at Hot Yoga Syracuse in Camillus, NY.  From early 2020 through much of 2021, I taught mainly online classes 2X/week.  Before that I taught at  Crystal Heart Yoga in Corning, NY.  I also enjoyed substitute teaching at the Baptiste affiliate Yoga Body Shop in Johnson City.  Previous experience includes 5 years of leading classes at Vibrant Life Yoga in Horseheads, NY.  I have created and presented various yoga workshops including Into to Yoga, Intro to Baptiste Power Yoga, Assist and Alignment, Arm Balance/Inversions, and Chair Yoga at  the Powerhouse Gym, Vibrant Life Yoga and the Yoga Body Shop in Johnson City, NY.       

Education

Yoga Training

I attended and completed my first yoga teacher training intensive at the Yoga University of Florida led by power yoga pioneer Brian Kest. I then successfully completed training at the Baptiste affiliate Yoga Body Shop and earned my 200 hour Yoga Alliance certification. I completed Baptiste Level One training with Baron Baptiste in Menla, NY in 2016.  Other yoga training I have completed include Baptiste Art of True North Alignment, Being of Power, and Art of Assist 1 and 2, as well as a number of other local specialized workshops.  I completed a 300 hour teacher training at the Yoga Body Institute in Johnson City, NY to obtain my 500 hour Yoga Alliance certification.  I also completed Baptiste Level 2 training in Menla, NY with Paige Elenson in 2019.  In March of 2022 I completed a yoga instructor intensive with Luca Richards.  I have also completed all prerequisites in Yoga Alliance to become a YACEP.