My Journey and Certifications in Yoga and Wellness

I want to take you on a heartfelt journey through my personal and professional experiences in yoga, wellness and Conscious Parenting. I believe that understanding my background and certifications will help you see how we can work together to support your well-being and personal growth, no matter where you are in your motherhood journey.

My First Encounter with Yoga

My love affair with yoga began in college, thanks to an audio class I downloaded on iTunes by Misty Tripoli. Believe it or not, I didn't even have a yoga mat back then—I practiced on a beach towel! Those were the MySpace days, and YouTube didn't exist yet so it was truly an interesting way to practice. I did that same class almost every day throughout the school year, and eventually, a small group of friends joined me—all of us on our beach towels, many experiencing yoga for the first time. Looking back, I realize that was my first experience of truly being in my body and introspecting.

When I returned home to San Francisco, a family tragedy changed my life's course. Yoga became my anchor, helping me navigate the overwhelming emotions. I was fortunate to be in the Bay Area, where there is no lack of excellent yoga studios and teachers. My first group class was Bikram Yoga, a rigorous 90-minute practice in a room heated to 105 degrees with 40% humidity. Bikram taught me mental discipline, but eventually, I sought more variety and fun in my practice.

A friend introduced me to SUP Yoga (yoga on a stand-up paddleboard), which was incredibly fun and allowed me to explore various lakes in Northern California. As I sought more practice opportunities, I found a wonderful Vinyasa teacher at Yoga Tree SF. His classes were a perfect blend of strength building, mindfulness, and yoga philosophy, which resonated with me deeply.

Transitioning to Teaching and Prenatal Yoga

When I moved to Boston for work, I discovered CorePower Yoga—a style that felt like a blend of Vinyasa and Bikram. It was there that I decided to sign up for a 200-hour teacher training program. Teaching classes all over the Greater Boston Area was an incredible experience; I loved designing creative sequences and honing my skills as an instructor.

During my pregnancy, I continued to teach and practice hot yoga, adding prenatal yoga to my routine. Yoga helped me connect with my body and my growing baby, easing the anxiety I felt after suffering two miscarriages before Charlie. However, post-maternity leave, my old practice felt too intense, leaving me more anxious and disconnected.

Discovering Yoga Therapy

Desperately seeking a way back to yoga, I googled "yoga for postpartum" and discovered yoga therapy. Working with a yoga therapist introduced me to a new way of practicing yoga, incorporating philosophy, meditation, breathwork, and even chanting. This experience was transformative, helping me address physical issues like pelvic floor issues, diastasis recti and sciatica while also navigating the mental challenges of postpartum recovery.

Inspired by my healing journey, I registered for the Foundations course with Breathing Deeply Yoga Therapy. Over a year, I learned about Ayurveda, physical assessments, and prescribing yoga exercises to address physical issues. I also learned the Koshic model and how to apply yoga therapeutically.

My first client was a woman with pelvic floor tightness and urge incontinence. In 12 sessions, her pelvic pain decreased from an 8 out of 10 to a 3. My second client, diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, wanted to wean off her steroid medication using natural remedies. Through stress-reduction practices, she didn't experience any flare-ups during our six sessions together.

After witnessing the profound impact of yoga therapy, I decided to further my education and pursue Advanced certification as a C-IAYT, Certified Yoga Therapist as recognized by the International Association of Yoga Therapists. This involves over 800 hours of training, delving deeply into common conditions alongside more than 100 clinical hours under the supervision of the Breathing Deeply Director. During this time, I have worked with clients facing pelvic floor issues, mothers recovering from C-sections, women seeking peaceful weight loss, individuals with irritable bowel syndrome, menopause and several clients who have improved their scoliosis curves through yoga therapy. Guiding clients toward self-healing has been a profound blessing, and I am deeply passionate about this work.

Dr. Shefali's Conscious Parenting Method

Recently, I completed training at the Conscious Parenting Coaching Institute, directly under Dr. Shefali Tsabary, a world-renowned parenting expert, psychologist, and multiple-time New York Times Best Seller. I discovered Dr. Shefali on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday, where her insights on Conscious Parenting resonated deeply with me. Having read numerous parenting books, it was Dr. Shefali’s words that truly touched my soul. It was like a refreshing breath of air. As Oprah said, her books are the only books to read on parenting. For me, integrating yoga therapy with the Conscious Parenting Method enriches my daily practice and is something I aspire to offer my clients.

I consider myself a lifelong student. While I try to avoid accumulating certifications, I am passionate about learning from mentors who have greatly influenced my yoga journey. Evidence of this includes my twice-taken prenatal yoga training. I have had the privilege of learning from extraordinary leaders in wellness. To better support the maternal experience, I trained as a doula (even though I do not practice as one) and expanded my knowledge with Pelvic Floor Yoga.

Work with me!

My certifications and personal experiences have equipped me to support moms like you in navigating motherhood's challenges. Whether you're dealing with postpartum recovery, work-life balance, or simply seeking a sense of fulfillment, I'm here to help.

Let's work together to create a nurturing and supportive space for your well-being and personal growth. Ready to start your transformation? Book a discovery call to begin your journey towards a more balanced, joyful life.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I can't wait to connect with you and support you on your wellness journey. Remember, you are not alone—we're in this together!