Vanessa was introduced to yoga in 1997. She has practiced many different styles of yoga, but kept her practice at a casual level until her move to Tucson in 2009.There she enrolled in a 200hr Hatha yoga teacher training. Vanessa has since completed her 500hr certificate with certified Ashtanga teacher Melanie Fawer in New Orleans, LA. Vanessa has certificates in Hatha, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Prenatal, Chair and Yin Yoga. She is registered with Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT 500.
Early in 2013 Vanessa gained compassion and patience in her own personal practice as well as her teaching style as she dealt with Stage 2 breast cancer. Every day since has been a constant test of patience and acceptance. Yoga has helped her find balance between being the mother of 4 boys, a military spouse, cancer survivor and life. Vanessa credits her yoga practice for empowering her to be healthier and stronger, for easing the side effects of surgery and radiation and speeding her recovery. Vanessa keeps an upbeat, positive attitude toward her wellness plan and loves to share the gift of yoga with anyone who is interested.
My husbands’ military service has given me the opportunity to travel and teach in several different states, and to a diverse population of people on and off base. I have enjoyed sharing in the growth of my students physically and emotionally.
Vanessa teaches a traditional Ashtanga class focusing on a specific sequence of postures (Asana) linking breath (pranayama) and focused gaze (drishti). The continuous linking of the postures with the movement of the breath (vinyasa) balances structural and mental patterns resulting in strength, flexibility and radiant health. Vanessa teaches Ashtanga with the blessing of her teacher Melanie Fawer, of New Orleans, LA who is certified in the lineage of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. This practice is modified for all levels.
Vanessa also teaches a Yin style yoga class which is slow paced and accessible to all students. Yin focuses on long held postures mainly done on the floor that apply moderate stress to the connective tissues of the body, increasing circulation and flexibility in the joints. This style of yoga is intended as a complement to more active yoga and exercise classes. Vanessa's yin classes have a meditative approach to help cultivate awareness within the body while finding stillness and silence. The magic happens when we find stillness in the pose.
In each class, Vanessa likes to incorporate meditation, prananyama, essential oils and mudras.
Vanessa credits her many teachers and students over the years for influencing her practice but especially Lisa Schrempp for teaching her the Ashtanga Lineage which continues to strengthen her physically and emotionally.