10/19/2025
Hello👋out there :) Some of you know me well, but certainly not all of you, and it's been years since I've properly introduced myself and how I came to be a yoga teacher.
You might have noticed, at this point, I only teach yoga for part of the year. More specifically, from end of October to the end of April. That is because plants are my other lifelong love and a more than full-time baby. I am part of a second generation family business, and I help run Hunniford Gardens,
~ My journey to yoga ~
I was introduced to yoga in my late teens by "hippie" in-laws. Mostly, I was intrigued with the physical part of the practice. I had a cheap Costco yoga mat and a Patricia Walden/Rodney Yee DVD. I watched those videos dozens of times. In retrospect, yoga was teaching me how to be more peaceful, connected to my body, and aware.
When many parts of my life imploded in my late 20's, I was squirrelly, stressed, and fearful. I knew I had to find a healthy way to process it, and so I returned to yoga. I joined a local studio in Kamloops (in a city where I knew no one) and continued practicing at home. I fell in love with the breathwork, the poses, the boundless depth and variation in styles, and the philosophy.
Over time, yoga changed my life. It challenged me, and allowed me to feel good in my body. It gave me awareness of the subconscious thoughts and emotions that I was having (which were often confronting and unpleasant). It taught me that I could breathe and stay present, even when it felt uncomfortable. It taught me that I could regulate my nervous system. It taught me that I could get through difficulty. It taught me the beauty of using breath, movement, and contemplation to express myself and work through the messiness of being human.
In 2018, I was hungry to know more. I signed up for a teacher training in Mexico, purely with the intent to deepen my own practice. It was so transformative that by the end of the training, I felt compelled to teach. Most fortunately, I was also blessed to have a studio space available to me, the space in which I currently teach. It's like the universe conspired with me :)
Since my 200 hour training, I've continued exploring the path of yoga. I've taken training in Yin Yoga, Gravity Yoga, Kundalini yoga, and various courses on philosophy and asana. I'm currently taking a 50 hour anatomy course, with an endless topics on my wish list.
I share this not to blather on about myself, but in hopes that you can see all that yoga can offer. The fact that yoga is a physical exercise merely scratches the surface. It also offers emotional, mental, physiological, energetic, and spiritual benefits. You only need to explore it with openness and curiosity. You might not get what you want, but you'll get what you need.
~
When I'm not gardening, learning about a new topic, or practicing yoga, you'll find me reading, hiking, strength training, and spending time with my dogs.
Do you have any questions about yoga? Add them to the comments below or send me a private message 💚💚💚
