01/27/2022
I created Yoga with Rachel in 2017, but my love for yoga began in 2009. My mom took me to my first yoga class when I was 11 years old. I remember having zero expectations when I entered the yoga studio and then leaving excited for my next session. It felt like a magical experience, my body and mind were at peace and I felt no pain. I started yoga at such a young age to help relieve chronic pain and health issues, and it has been the most helpful tool thus far. Fast forward to 2017, I was 19 years old and just started working the front desk at Yen Yoga and Fitness. I enrolled in their 200 hour hatha yoga teacher training program. This intensive program required us to train 18 hours every other weekend for 6 months. It was a challenging, inspiring, and changed my life. This training helped me see my strength and value. It inspired me to share what I learned with others through teaching yoga; health benefits, how certain poses can relieve chronic or immediate pain, philosophy, and how there is always so much more to learn. I think that's why I love yoga so much-- it's an unending educational process, it brings people together, and creates an intentional community based on holistic healing.
After I became certified in 2017, I taught classes in the park and on the beach in Traverse City, Michigan. In November of that year, I packed up and moved to Melbourne Australia where I lived for 7 months. During my time in Melbourne, I taught classes and helped manage The Yoga Place Melbourne, substitute taught classes at Ohana Yoga in Port Melbourne, and taught classes in the Botanical Gardens in St. Kilda. I also took two 30 hour Restorative Teacher Training courses at Ohana Yoga. Then in June 2018, I moved back home to Traverse City Michigan and started teaching outdoor classes while also taking a 30 hour course for Yin Yoga at Yoga 4 Wellness Center in Lake Leelanau. In 2019, I took an 8 hour Yoga Nidra Teacher Training course through Yen Yoga and Fitness. Since then, I've taught public and private classes on and off. I am also a senior at Grand Valley State University where I am majoring in Integrative Studies with an emphasis on Intercultural Communications. Currently, I live in Playa Avellanas in Guanacaste Costa Rica where I study remotely with my (almost) 2 year old pup, Charlie Bear. I am starting to offer public classes on the beach but will also offer virtual classes for those who cannot attend in person. Virtual classes will be published on my website, https://girlanddog.wixsite.com/girlanddog where you can also find plant based recipes, and weekly blog posts about yoga and travel.
I offer the following classes; Yoga for Beginners, Yin Yang Flow, Gentle Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Slow Flow, Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Restoravtive Yoga, and Meditation. If you would like to book a private or group class, I currently offer in person sessions in Guanacaste, Costa Rica or virtual sessions through Zoom.
My next public class is at Playa Lagartillo (inbetween Playa Avellnas and Playa Negra), this Sunday at 5:30pm. Bring a friend and join us for a sunset yoga session! Thank you for reading, stay tuned for more class postings!🙏☀️🌱