Yoga
“To walk in Beauty is to walk gently with a twinkle in the eye, loving thoughts in the mind, and a smile in the heart.” ~ Jamie Sams.
Background & Training
I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher-training program in 2006 with Ganga White and Tracy Rich of White Lotus Yoga, located in Santa Barbara, CA, on land that was once sacred to the Chumash Indians. Prior to this formal training, my yoga education began in my late teens. As a former soccer player and marathon runner, I was initially drawn to yoga for the physical healing properties. However, I soon realized with great humility, just how profound of an impact it was having on my mental and spiritual life as well. Since this discovery, I have maintained a personal yoga practice for close to 20 years.
Throughout this journey, I have studied and explored many styles of Hatha Yoga, such as, Ashtanga, Anusara, Bikram, and various adaptations of vinyasa flow. Many great teachers have also inspired me along the way. Some of my earlier influences were Rodney Yee, Shiva Rea, Ana Forrest, Ganga White, David Swenson, and Sean Corne. More recently, I have been drawn to the teachings of Rusty Wells’ devotional Bhakti Flow yoga and Mark Stephens’ “Yoga Inside” philosophy, which have both opened my heart and fueled my desire to make yoga accessible to all walks of life, regardless of socioeconomic status or cultural background.
My formal training as a psychotherapist and 15 years of counseling disadvantaged youth within the mental health field have had a tremendous impact on how I have grown during this journey. Today, I offer a vinyasa flow style of yoga combined with guided meditation that is constantly evolving and sensitive to the needs of the individual and the moment. I encourage my students to release their fears so that they may live more joyously in the Present.
Yoga for Anxiety & Depression
Studies suggest that yoga tames down the stress response and maladaptive nervous system arousal, helps regulate emotions, enhances mood, and improves quality of life.
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Source: 2009, Harvard Health Publications
Mindfulness Practice & Skills Training
Regular mindfulness practice can lead to a greater present-centered awareness and nonjudgmental acceptance of potentially distressing cognitive and emotional states as well as trauma-related internal and external triggers.
"Paying attention to something, in a particular way on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally." (Kabat-Zinn, 2003)
"Being aware of what's happening as it's happening."
(Kaiser-Greenland, 2006)
"Paying attention to your life, here and now, with kindness and curiosity." (Saltzman, 2011)
"Paying attention to what's going on right here, right now inside of us or outside of us." (Debra Burdick, 2013)
Yoga for Children
"Follow Your Bliss and the Universe will Open Doors for You where once there were Only Walls." ~Joseph Campbell
