Ironically, I began massage therapy school without ever having received a massage. However, I was attracted to the idea of touch as a method of healing the body both physically and emotionally. In 1998 I graduated from the massage therapy training program at the Florida College of Natural Health. Since then I have logged more than 300 hours of continuing education classes in different massage styles. During each massage session, I integrate techniques from different modalities to customize the massage to the client’s individual needs.
In 2007, I was living in Atlanta and working at a wellness center that specialized in Ayurvedic massage. Ayurveda, literally meaning “the knowledge of life,” is an ancient system of health care native to India. In the center, we were trained in many of the Panchakarma oil massage therapies. These therapies incorporate the use of herbal oils to address and treat imbalances in the doshas (the components of an individual’s constitution).
Since yoga is the sister science to Ayurveda, beginning a yoga practice seemed like the next step to take in continuing to explore “the knowledge of life.” After moving back to Florida in 2010, I joined The Yoga Sanctuary and immediately fell in love with yoga—so much so, that I wanted to start the teacher training program right away. I was gently advised to first develop my yoga practice. Five years later I was ready. In April, 2015 I graduated from the teacher training program and have begun teaching yoga.
My favorite yoga pose, Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose) began as my least favorite. I struggled with every aspect; balance, opening the hips and chest, strength, confidence. I still have a long way to go towards achieving full expression in Ardha Chandrasana, but I am enjoying the journey and what it is teaching me about myself.
The practice of yoga is life changing, awakening both the physical body and the energetic body. It is about listening to your inner voice. And it is always about balance. What a joy to share with others.