Like many people, when I took my first yoga class I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was looking for a way to relieve stress and anxiety in my life. Little did I know then, how much of an impact that class would have on my life.
Even after that very first “Introduction to Kripalu” yoga class, I found myself passionate about what I had discovered. I wondered with a glowing smile, “How have I gotten this far through life without this?!” I vowed that I would never live without it again. After every class where I learned something new, I wanted to share what I had found with anyone who would listen. I wanted everyone I knew to experience the peace, joy and stability that I was feeling. I wanted to share the gift of yoga with the world. It didn’t take long before the decision to become a yoga teacher was made. As usual, life gets busy and change inevitably happens. It took several years of exploring my personal practice before I finally made the commitment to enroll in the Kripalu yoga teacher training program.
As it was with my first class years ago, upon arriving at Kripalu to begin my training, I was overwhelmed with the feeling of “Why have I waited so long to do this?!” Although I am honored to now be sitting in the seat of teacher, I will always be a student of yoga; learning from my students, fellow teachers, my personal practice and the world.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my teachers and influences. Though too many to name, a special thanks to Rudy Pierce, Devarshi Steven Hartman, Aruni Nan Futuronsky, and Emily Garrett. Also to my parents and to Eric, without whose love and support I would still be dreaming of becoming a teacher rather than living in this dream now.