I began yoga when I had three very young children and a full time job. A compassionate friend gave me a little yoga book that showed six asanas to do in ten minutes. I was completely amazed at my increased energy; a desperately needed commodity at that time in my life. That was the beginning of my life-long journey of exploring yoga. It was after my children had left home that I moved to Hawaii where I discovered Ashtanga yoga and began practicing two hours a day. After a few years of this vigorous yoga I went to a workshop with Aadil Palkhivala in Honolulu. I knew I had found my teacher. I saw his love for yoga, his amazing knowledge of yoga, and his commitment to living the philosophy of yoga. For the next several years, Aadil and his wife, Mirra, came to the Big Island where I arranged yoga workshops for Aadil. Just after Yoga Centers opened in 1992, I moved to Bellevue to learn still more about spinal alignment based yoga and Mirra's meditation. To help me to sit during long meditations, I designed a meditation cushion, called the Lotus Seat for increased comfort during these periods. Read more about the Lotus Seat Meditation Cushion. Soon after my move to Bellevue, I began teaching yoga at Yoga Centers.

My life now revolves around yoga. Mirra's classes have taught me about the importance of opening the heart center. Her meditation class has expanded and shaped how I view my life and its purpose. In my efforts to open myself more and more to Divine Love through opening my heart center in meditation, there has been an uplifting of my being. Now, as a yoga teacher, my deepest wish for my students is for them to experience a greater ability to love, and to introduce them to the great adventure of learning about oneself at a deeper level through learning yoga. This pursuit, daunting as it can be, has become the foundation of my life. My classes focus on asana, and at the same time allows students to have an inward focus where they can go gently but deeply into their bodies, minds, and spirits. I am probably best known for my Stretch Body/Mind/Spirit class, which is designed to reduce stress, while moving the body in very gentle stretches with guided imagery using Light from within. I also love teaching vigorous, fun classes with a sense of humor and camaraderie among students. I enjoy private sessions as well, where I can see faster progress to students' specific goals. My other career is as a counselor in private practice. To learn more about me as a counselor click here or on the link above. I received my Masters degree in Social Work from UCLA. I love helping others, whether it is through counseling, teaching about the healing properties of essential oils, showing how to use Sunrider products for improved health, and of course, through teaching yoga. The continuing growth of my spirit, through living each moment with that pursuit in mind, colors every aspect of my life. My little granddaughter, who lives near-by, is a great teacher of persistence and of how to keep my equilibrium, maintain humility and a strong will to learn while exploring new aspects of myself and the world.