The Yogini
My yoga journey began in 2001 at a local gym in Albuquerque, NM. I was mesmerized by the grace and joy the yoga teacher used in her class. I was also amazed at how I felt after the class, lighter yet more full. At that point on my journey I thought life had to be fast paced and competitive. It was such a relief to be present for an hour and not be rushing off to the next thing or ruminating about the last thing. Over the course of the next few years something kept tugging at my heart and bringing me back to my mat. I dove deeper into the ancient tradition when I took a teacher training in 2009 with Corepower. Before I knew it, yoga became a way of life and I started to transform dramatically. My restless mind began to settle, sleepless nights ceased, nightmares faded away. My body shifted as well... back and knee pain from playing college volleyball disappeared and I felt stronger than I ever had before. My immune system was more efficient, I wasn't getting as sick as often and when I would it was short lived. My relationships grew stronger and I was even able to mend some that were broken.
The PA-C
I am also a Physician Assistant specializing in Integrative Medicine for Chronic Pain at TRIA Orthopedic Center in Bloomington, MN. I blend Yoga Therapy with my allopathic training. I graduated from PA school in Chicago at Rosalind Franklin University of Health and Science in 2006 and have been practicing in Orthopedics ever since.
The Integration
As I began my PA practice I started to notice there were many people I could not help their physical being with my Western background and I began to turn to Eastern medicine for ideas. I was then introduced to Yoga Therapy and spent time learning more about this healing science. I attended a Yoga Therapy training at Prama Institute in NC with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy in Fall 2011. I continue to learn and expand, with additional training in Ayurveda (science of Yoga) and energy work. I balance my time between clinic at TRIA, Yoga Therapy, trainings and integrating Eastern and Western traditions.
I am passionate about empowering people to take charge of their own health and their own lives by integrating the two models and utilizing Yoga Therapy. This opens up a great potential for healing and lasting wellness. We request Western medicine to use tools to heal someone physically. We request Yoga Therapy and many Eastern modalities to offer tools so people can heal themselves, at all levels of being. Both have a place in healing and Yoga Therapy addresses sustainability because it is aimed at healing body, mind, and spirit.
To renew and heal myself, I love to travel EVERYWHERE! Highlights include BWCA, South Africa, Macchu Picchu, Rocky Mountains, Italy, Oregon coast, Amazon rainforest, British Columbia. I have fun travel memories with so many amazing people but I have the most with my inspiring life partner, Mark. My family lives in Iowa, so I enjoy visiting them and seeing my 13 nieces and nephews. I have come to rely on and relish my quiet time so many days you will find me in my yoga/art room... meditating, chanting, painting, sewing, or making jewelry. Usually my 2 daughters are camping out nearby.
