Hi there and thank you for stopping by Yucca Valley Yoga. Here is my story. I got hooked on yoga during my gig in cosmetics and fragrance at Macy’s and Nordstroms. This career came with serious stress dealing with customers, fellow employees, goals etc. In practicing yoga, I was able to work through the rat race, which I know most of you can relate to, in one way or another. In 2014, a few years into my yoga practice tragedy hits me. I lost my Grandmother, Grandfather and 4 dogs in 6 months. My heart was broken in such a way that words couldn’t express, so I pushed the pain deep down inside. I not only quit yoga, I quit all forms of exercise. I found food as my comfort zone. In the course of 8 months, I gained over 70lbs pushing me to a size 22 and weighing in at about 240lbs. I looked at myself one day and said this is not me!! Where did I go? From that moment, I went back to yoga full force. In a few months, I get this crazy idea to quit my career and start Yoga Teacher Training. I was not prepared for that decision to say the least lol. I signed up for a Teacher Training program based on the Ashtanga practice. I had taken 1 Asthanga class prior to this brilliant idea of mine. Let’s just say that’s like signing up for the Navy Seal program and you barely know how to swim, this was going to be interesting. Ashtanga is known as the military practice in the Yoga world. In 10 months I lost over 100lbs and have kept it off with no problem by maintaining a good Yoga practice. It also changed the way I see the world and interact with others. YES,a physical practice did that for me. Ashtanga showed me that my purpose in life was to study and teach as many variations of yoga as possible. There is a style for everyone. My current certifications are 100 hour in Meditation, 100 & 200 hour in the Ashtanga, 200 RYACP, A 300 hour in Ayurveda studies. I am also a Reiki practitioner level 1 & 2 currently working on my Master Reiki certification. I started teaching in 2015 and in less than 1 year, I decided to open up a studio with a friend. I didn’t have a ton of knowledge yet, but I had passion,heart and a desire to teach and learn as much as I could. We did great! Our belief was that yoga is for everyone!! If you can breathe and move you can do yoga. We prided ourselves on the diversity that our studio brought forth. We offered different styles of yoga so it was the perfect balance. I created a style that was fun yet challenging using alternative music. This is my Rock & Flow class which is totally different than Ashtanga. My business partner developed so many styles of her own it was awesome. I learned so much in the 3 years we owned the studio, it was AMAZING!! The Studio is now owned by one of our students and still going strong!! I moved out to this beautiful community of Yucca Valley to literally find peace on earth. I bring with me a ton of knowledge that I’m so excited to share with all of you, I will always stand by my beliefs that Yoga is for all.This is why I decided to build another studio. I want to provide a safe place where everyone is welcome and always feel encouraged. You just need to take the time to figure out what kind of Yoga works for you and your body. My road was tough and I needed every modification and prop there was to get to the place I am today! No matter if you are a beginner or never stepped foot on a mat or if you have been practicing for years, I have designed a class for you. I look forward to meeting you and being a part of your yoga journey. Yoga is a journey to self through self. You hold the answers to all your questions, you just need to take some time to stop and listen. This is what Yoga will teach you. Namaste..