Welcome & Namaste
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I am passionate about sharing Yoga with people from all backgrounds. I have been teaching Yoga for seven years and have more than 1,300 hours of formal training in teaching and developing therapeutic practices for a range of conditions. I value, practice, and draw upon all of Yoga’s tools, including asana (postures), pranayama (breathing practices), pratyahara (inward focus), dhyana (meditation), chanting, and mantras.
Below you can read about my path to Yoga, the tradition of Krishnamacharya, my training, and my teaching experience. I lookforward to the opportunity of sharing Yoga with you! |
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My Path to Yoga
I teach Hatha Yoga classes in the tradition of Sri T. Krishnamacharya that cultivate mindfulness, balance, and presence. I offer classes for all experience levels, as well as specialized classes for children and adults with physical limitations, visual, and cognitive disabilities.
My goal is to ensure that everyone experiences the profound benefits of Yoga by facilitating classes where participants connect with their inner strengths and cultivate their own path to self-care. I calibrate each class to balance relaxation with rejuvenation and emphasize a sustained connection with the breath.
My yoga journey started more than a decade ago when I was living in Palestine and working with human rights organizations. Yoga offered me the time and space needed to release the daily stresses of living in a conflict zone, which in turn enabled me to be more present with the community and appreciate the beauty of the environment and culture. Yoga became a means for self-care. I learned firsthand that it is a powerful tool for healing on all levels—physical, psychological, and emotional.
When I returned to the U.S., I discovered another powerful aspect of yoga—the shared community among fellow practitioners. I developed a regular practice and attended workshops to deepen my knowledge and skills. In 2007, while working for Perkins School for the Blind, I was inspired to teach yoga after visiting a school for children with disabilities in Chennai, India. I was in complete awe of the students as they practiced Yoga. Despite significant physical, visual, and cognitive disabilities, they were tremendously focused, steady, and full of happiness! I set out to share this powerful tool for self-empowerment with the students at Perkins. I taught them Yoga, and they taught me what it means to be a teacher: grounded, present, and connected to the students’ needs. And so began my studies as a yoga teacher.
I have taught Yoga classes for diverse communities. I was honoured to have shared, if only for a brief class, a small piece of other’s journeys to self-awareness. I witnessed how yoga can have an empowering effect for everyone: Harvard students balancing the demands of graduate school, Boston marathoners enduring training, business professionals releasing office pressure, cancer patients recovering from treatment, seasoned practitioners developing a meditation practice, and new mothers welcoming children into their lives.
Now in Seattle, I offer private small group and individual Yoga sessions - stay tuned on upcoming group classes!
My goal is to ensure that everyone experiences the profound benefits of Yoga by facilitating classes where participants connect with their inner strengths and cultivate their own path to self-care. I calibrate each class to balance relaxation with rejuvenation and emphasize a sustained connection with the breath.
My yoga journey started more than a decade ago when I was living in Palestine and working with human rights organizations. Yoga offered me the time and space needed to release the daily stresses of living in a conflict zone, which in turn enabled me to be more present with the community and appreciate the beauty of the environment and culture. Yoga became a means for self-care. I learned firsthand that it is a powerful tool for healing on all levels—physical, psychological, and emotional.
When I returned to the U.S., I discovered another powerful aspect of yoga—the shared community among fellow practitioners. I developed a regular practice and attended workshops to deepen my knowledge and skills. In 2007, while working for Perkins School for the Blind, I was inspired to teach yoga after visiting a school for children with disabilities in Chennai, India. I was in complete awe of the students as they practiced Yoga. Despite significant physical, visual, and cognitive disabilities, they were tremendously focused, steady, and full of happiness! I set out to share this powerful tool for self-empowerment with the students at Perkins. I taught them Yoga, and they taught me what it means to be a teacher: grounded, present, and connected to the students’ needs. And so began my studies as a yoga teacher.
I have taught Yoga classes for diverse communities. I was honoured to have shared, if only for a brief class, a small piece of other’s journeys to self-awareness. I witnessed how yoga can have an empowering effect for everyone: Harvard students balancing the demands of graduate school, Boston marathoners enduring training, business professionals releasing office pressure, cancer patients recovering from treatment, seasoned practitioners developing a meditation practice, and new mothers welcoming children into their lives.
Now in Seattle, I offer private small group and individual Yoga sessions - stay tuned on upcoming group classes!
The Tradition
Yoga in the tradition of my teachers, Sri T Krishnamacharya and Sri TKV Desikachar, is an ancient practice intended to promote holistic heath and wellbeing for a person on all levels – the body, mind, heart, and spirit.
Sri Krishnamacharya | Photo credit: Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram
Sri T Krishnamacharya
Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (1888-1989) is one of the most influential Yoga masters and was largely responsible for the surge of Yoga’s recognition and popularity in Europe and North America. He held the equivalent of six doctoral degrees. In addition to being a yogi, he was also a Vedic scholar and Ayurvedic doctor. Krishnamacharya was the teacher to numerous prominent Yoga teachers including K Pattabhi Jois, BKS Iyengar, Indra Devi, AG Mohan, and his son TKV Desikachar. His influence and legacy lives on through their students’ teachings.
Krishnamacharya recovered, preserved, and taught lost Yoga traditions. He was a pioneer in sharing these teachings with people regardless of their background. In fact, he was one of the first Vedic chanting teachers to welcome and instruct women in the tradition. Krishnamacharya revived the asanas of Hatha Yoga and refined the sequence of poses to ensure they benefited students at the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. He developed many therapeutic applications of Yoga widely used today, including the combination of asana (postures) and pranayama (breathing practices), and the use of chanting during asana.
Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya (1888-1989) is one of the most influential Yoga masters and was largely responsible for the surge of Yoga’s recognition and popularity in Europe and North America. He held the equivalent of six doctoral degrees. In addition to being a yogi, he was also a Vedic scholar and Ayurvedic doctor. Krishnamacharya was the teacher to numerous prominent Yoga teachers including K Pattabhi Jois, BKS Iyengar, Indra Devi, AG Mohan, and his son TKV Desikachar. His influence and legacy lives on through their students’ teachings.
Krishnamacharya recovered, preserved, and taught lost Yoga traditions. He was a pioneer in sharing these teachings with people regardless of their background. In fact, he was one of the first Vedic chanting teachers to welcome and instruct women in the tradition. Krishnamacharya revived the asanas of Hatha Yoga and refined the sequence of poses to ensure they benefited students at the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels. He developed many therapeutic applications of Yoga widely used today, including the combination of asana (postures) and pranayama (breathing practices), and the use of chanting during asana.
Mr. Desikachar | Photo credit: Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram
Mr. TKV Desikachar
Mr. TKV Desikachar was a son and student of 30 years to T Krishnamacharya. Sir Desikachar carried on his father’s legacy through the advancement of Yoga’s therapeutic healing powers. He promoted Krishnamacharya’s model of viniyoga, the individual adaptation and application of Yoga to each person’s unique needs, which became the foundation to the field of Yoga therapy. Mr. Desikachar authored several books on Yoga, including “Health, Healing and Beyond: Yoga and the Living Tradition of Krishnamacharya” and “The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice”. He traveled throughout the world to generously share his wisdom and knowledge through formal teaching programs, seminars, and workshops.
In 1976, Mr. Desikachar founded the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandriam (KYM) in honor of his father’s teachings of Yoga and Vedic chanting. Based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, KYM serves as a center for Yoga studies and runs a Yoga therapy clinic. Through an outreach program called Mitra, KYM offers Yoga to underserved communities across Tamil Nadu including schools, senior centres, and organizations for children with disabilities.
As a graduate of Mr. Desikachar’s three-year international program through KYM, it is privilege to honor and share his and Krishnamacharya’s Yoga teachings. Read my article about his teachings, written after Sir Desikachar passed away on August 8, 2016.
Mr. TKV Desikachar was a son and student of 30 years to T Krishnamacharya. Sir Desikachar carried on his father’s legacy through the advancement of Yoga’s therapeutic healing powers. He promoted Krishnamacharya’s model of viniyoga, the individual adaptation and application of Yoga to each person’s unique needs, which became the foundation to the field of Yoga therapy. Mr. Desikachar authored several books on Yoga, including “Health, Healing and Beyond: Yoga and the Living Tradition of Krishnamacharya” and “The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice”. He traveled throughout the world to generously share his wisdom and knowledge through formal teaching programs, seminars, and workshops.
In 1976, Mr. Desikachar founded the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandriam (KYM) in honor of his father’s teachings of Yoga and Vedic chanting. Based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, KYM serves as a center for Yoga studies and runs a Yoga therapy clinic. Through an outreach program called Mitra, KYM offers Yoga to underserved communities across Tamil Nadu including schools, senior centres, and organizations for children with disabilities.
As a graduate of Mr. Desikachar’s three-year international program through KYM, it is privilege to honor and share his and Krishnamacharya’s Yoga teachings. Read my article about his teachings, written after Sir Desikachar passed away on August 8, 2016.
My Training
I have had the honour to study with several inspiring Yoga teachers in India, Canada, and the US. I am grateful to each of them for sharing their wisdom and offering guidance in the path of Yoga. Selected teaching experience is also listed below.
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction - Teens (MBSR-T)
30 Hours | Online | 05/2016 - 08/2016
Completion of the ten week program facilitated by Stressed Teens. MBSR-T is an eight-week evidence-based program, which has been adapted from John Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course to support teens in navigating the challenging years of adolescence.
Completion of the ten week program facilitated by Stressed Teens. MBSR-T is an eight-week evidence-based program, which has been adapted from John Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course to support teens in navigating the challenging years of adolescence.
Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Training Program
Seattle, WA, USA | In process
This training program is offered through 8 Limbs Yoga, and led by Anne Phyfe Palmer and Megan Sloan. The program extensively covers teaching methodology and anatomy and physiology, with an emphasis on supporting people through pregnancy and the early stages of parenthood.
This training program is offered through 8 Limbs Yoga, and led by Anne Phyfe Palmer and Megan Sloan. The program extensively covers teaching methodology and anatomy and physiology, with an emphasis on supporting people through pregnancy and the early stages of parenthood.
Yoga Thrive/Cancer Teacher Training Program
32 Hours | Calgary, AB, Canada | 01/2014
This course focused on the development of therapeutic Yoga practices for patients and cancer survivors. It was led by Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed, Director of the Health and Wellness Lab University of Calgary, and Tyla Arnason, Owner of the Yoga Effect.
The program emphasized considerations for stages and types of treatment as well as treatment related side effects such as stiffness, pain, memory loss, fatigue, stress, and depression. The program is based off of more than a decade of research undertaken by Dr. Culos-Reed on yoga for cancer patients and survivors. Read my post with reflections on the program.
This course focused on the development of therapeutic Yoga practices for patients and cancer survivors. It was led by Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed, Director of the Health and Wellness Lab University of Calgary, and Tyla Arnason, Owner of the Yoga Effect.
The program emphasized considerations for stages and types of treatment as well as treatment related side effects such as stiffness, pain, memory loss, fatigue, stress, and depression. The program is based off of more than a decade of research undertaken by Dr. Culos-Reed on yoga for cancer patients and survivors. Read my post with reflections on the program.
Krishnamacharya Healing Yoga Foundation Teacher Training Program
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1,000+ Hours | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India | 10/2009 - 07/2011
Studying Sir TKV Desikachar and his esteemed faculty at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM) was a profound experience and a tremendous honor. The program was an unparalleled opportunity to deeply study the core principles and tools of Yoga through classical texts such as the Yoga Sūtras, Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, and Yoga Rahasya. The program consisted of 600 hours of study over three modules in two and a half years; in between modules I studied with my mentor Sandra Uyterhoeven to integrate the teachings into my personal Yoga practice and my Yoga teaching. In addition to classroom studies, the program included mentoring hours with a senior teacher (25 hours), observation of other classes (25 hours), and supervised assisting and teaching (25 hours). KYM also facilitated teaching opportunities in rural schools, orphanages for children with disabilities, centers for senior citizens, and on-site corporate classes. |
Graduation day at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram
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Integrative Yoga Therapeutics Teacher Training Program
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200 Hours | Boston, MA, USA | 08/2008 - 06/2009
Organized through the New England School of Integrative Yoga Therapeutics, this 10-month program was created by Bo Forbes and emphasized exploring the mind-body network and preparing teachers to integrate a therapeutic approach into the Yoga classroom. Acclaimed experts led key modules, including Edwin Bryan, Ph.D. (Yoga Philosophy), Nicolai Bachman, M.A. (Sanskrit: The Language of Yoga), and Lou Benson, L.M.T. (Yoga Anatomy). To supplement this training, I completed 80 hours of supervised assisting in local classes and national conferences including Yoga Journal Estes Park and Kripalu. I also completed Bo's advanced workshops (20 hours each) in "Yoga Therapeutics I: Spinal Anomalies" and "Yoga Therapeutics II: Anxiety, Depression, & Chronic Pain Disorders". Read more about Bo Forbes and the program at the New England School of Integrative Yoga Therapeutics. |
E-RYT certification indicates 1,000+ hrs of teaching
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Continuing Education
As part of my svadhya (Yoga’s path of self-inquiry and study of the classical texts), I participate in continuing education opportunities, which are central to deepening my personal practice and growing as a teacher. A few recent workshops that I was honored to join include:
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), an eight week program
- “Meditation as Medicine” by Sir T.K.V. Desikachar and Mrs. Menaka Desikachar
- “Treat the Person, Not the Disease” by Sir T.K.V. Desikachar and Menaka Desikachar
- “ViniYoga Therapy: Lower Back, Sacrum and Hips” by Gary Kraftsow
Selected Teaching Experience
Instructing yoga to students | Photo credit: Perkins School for the Blind
- Family Mindfulness Events, Seattle, WA, 2016 - Current
Fun evenings for children and parents at the Center for Child and Family Well-Being, University of Washington.
- Mindful Movement Sessions, Seattle, WA, 2016 - Current
Open mindfulness sessions at the Center for Child and Family Well-Being, University of Washington. - Prenatal Yoga, Seattle, WA, 2016 - Current
Weekly prenatal classes at Aditi Studio and a regular sub at 8 Limbs Yoga Studio. - Yoga and Relaxation Sessions for Syrian Refugees, Gaziantep, Turkey, 2015
Read about my collaborations with Syrian communities in my blog post. - United Hillhurst Church, Calgary, AB, 2014 - 2015
I led yoga and meditation workshops, family yoga classes, and meditation sessions - Yoga Thrive (for Cancer Survivors), Calgary, AB, 2014 - 2015
I taught weekly classes for pediatric and adult cancer patients and survivors. Read more here. - Al Huda Al Masri Pediatric Oncology Unit, Bethlehem, Palestine, 2014
Read about my inspiring visit sharing Yoga in Palestine in my blog post. - University of Calgary, Faculty of Kinesiology, Calgary, AB, 2014
These monthly yoga classes were offered through the Kinesiology Graduate Student Association (KGSA) in order to promote health and wellness among the graduate students. - Students’ Union Wellness Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, 2014
I led the yoga component of a six week program incorporating mindfulness, meditation, and yoga practice. This program is part of a research study by the University of Calgary’s Students’ Union Wellness Centre.
- Harvard University Education Portal, Cambridge, MA, 2012 - 2013
These classes brought together Harvard students, faculty, and staff in a community setting; classes emphasized relaxation, reducing stress, rejuvenating energy, and increasing flexibility and balance. - Harvard University Residential Programs, Cambridge, MA, 2012 - 2013
Two weekend yoga classes for the Graduate Commons Program that provided University students, staff, and faculty with the fundamentals of a home practice and cultivated camaraderie within the residences.
- Watertown Healing Arts Center, Watertown, MA, 2011 - 2013
Small group classes with an emphasis on building a meditative practice using many of yoga’s traditional tools including pranayama, mantra, nyasa, and chanting.
- Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA, 2010 - 2013
My highlight of every week was teaching yoga at Perkins for students with visual impairment or deafblindness. My goal was to provide them with classes based on ability, rather than disability, that enriched their overall wellbeing, and promoted the development of an internal focus based on self-awareness rather than self-consciousness.
A few benefits Yoga offered the students included: balance of the skeletal and muscular systems through a focus on alignment; muscle strengthening and joint flexibility; development of mental focus and concentration; and increased body awareness, orientation and improved motor coordination. Ultimately, these classes were a fun way for students to build their self-esteem and connect with their inner potential.
- Staff Class, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA, 2010 - 2013
Classes twice a week in the workplace to promote stress management and relaxation among teachers, physical therapists, and administrative staff.
- Healthworks for Women, Dorchester, MA, 2008 - 2009
A weekly class structured around themes of self-empowerment, connecting with one’s inner strength, and reinforcing trust in self-wisdom