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I moved to Vermont about 10 years ago from Massachusetts. I met my husband Greg here in VT and we have joined our families together of three boys; Aaron 19, Graham 18 and Michael 4 yrs old. They are all very supportive to me in all the classes and workshops that take me away from home. I would not have been able to come this far without their love and encouragement.
I started my interest and love of movement with dancing as a young child and continued this into a Dance Major in College. Along the way Yoga was introduced to me in high school, I loved to stretch so it immediately appealed to me, the poses were fun to learn and feeling relaxed at the end of the session was uplifting. Being the oldest of 8 brothers and sisters there was a lot of responsibility on me, I would go into the small back room of our house and practice yoga. Back then I did not know why I did it, now I realize it helped me, gave me time for myself, peace and quiet. In a house of 10 people this was not easy to find.
I taught dance at camps for kids and would incorporate sun salutations into the warm-up, it always felt like the best way to warm-up. Over the years I have earned degrees in Dance,Physical Education and a Physical Therapy Asst program in 1994. I was a single-mom for many years, this taught me to be strong and to keep improving myself, not only for myself but, for my son Aaron. I wanted to be a good role model for him and to provide a happy life.
In 2001 I started taking the Prenatal class at Yoga Vermont when I became pregnant with Michael. This is when I got turned on to Astanga Yoga and I have loved it ever since.
While my baby slept I studied Beryl Bender Birch's "Power Yoga" book and began practicing more consistently. That led to more classes and finally Kathy's Teacher Training in 2004. Through the teacher program I realized we all have something to share with others, yoga is a perfect way to do this. Kathy also taught us to be ourselves when we teach, that has been so important to remember for me, we can't please everyone in our classes.
I have a background in teaching dance and aerobics for many years however, I was still nervous when I began teaching yoga. I didn't know all the sanskrit names for the poses, I was someone who wrote everything down for my classes. Through my current job as a PTA at the Rehab Gym in Williston I was allowed the freedom to teach whatever type of yoga classes I wanted to. I started a Adult Vinyasa class and Kids Yoga/Fitness Ages 3-5. I had only taught my son Michael at home, but I felt this desire to teach kids even if I had to learn from them along the way. I had no idea kids yoga would be in such demand in the coming years, and its been so much fun to work with all of them and there families.
I could see the changes in the children I taught in my classes. they were more attentive, quiet, eager to learn and would go home and practice and teach everyone in the family. This led to more classes at schools, camps and Yoga Vermont.
Presently I still have a day job as a Physical Therapist Asst. and teach adult yoga and kids yoga to all ages. I also run a Core strengthening program for the town of Essex twice a year. and what time we manage to find I spend with my family.
Yoga is such a part of my life now I cannnot imagine any other way to live in this world. A strong, supportive family at home has helped my deepen my studies and continually want to learn more, "there is so much we can give each other, what better way than through yoga. " I like how yoga brings people of different backgrounds together, my wish is more people out there will try yoga, and let the experience speak for itself.
I enjoy spending time with my family, we get away to the ocean whenever we can. I like to run, bike, swim (weather permitting) gardening, hiking and just being outdoors in nature soaking in the sun and whatever weather is out there.
Teaching experience: Kids Yoga all ages, afterschool programs-Essex/Williston/ Family Yoga, Pineridge Teen yoga, Yoga for marathoners, Sleepy Hollow Running camp, Camp Commonground summer 2005, CVU Wellness Program/ Reikki Level I Practitioner, Adult Vinyasa Power Yoga/ Deep tissue massage.
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