What brought you to the practice of yoga?
I first started practicing yoga - DVD’s and books at first, then a few classes - about 13 years ago when I was just looking for something to do. This was before a husband, house and kids, and when I was working at my first full-time job right out of college.  I remembered that my mom told me about my grandma doing yoga years ago to help her with back problems.  I was always pretty close to her, and I just thought it would be neat to try something she did years ago.

Who are some of your yoga teachers?
I did my yoga teacher training with Joseph and Lilian LePage through Integrative Yoga Therapy. We had several other teachers assisting in our training, too, including Jonas Westring, Robyn Ross, and Laurie Leister, all wonderful teachers whom I admire very much.  More recently, I have learned a lot from a wonderful teacher and friend, David Romanelli.  I
am taking part in his new coaching and mentoring program, and although yoga is just one small part of it, the life lessons he teaches are truly amazing and a wonderful addition to my yoga practice and teaching.

How would you describe the form of yoga you teach currently?
I teach a vinyasa (flow) style mostly, but what I feel is most important is that I incorporate a weekly theme into my classes such as “energy”, “chakras”, “groundedness”, “your sacred space”, or “moving past your comfort zone”. The themes often have a life lesson that we take with us from the class, and I say “we” because I learn from teaching them also!  And, lastly, but probably most importantly, I’d have to say that we often have laughter in my classes!

Where do you teach?
I own Tosa Yoga, LLC, in Wauwatosa and teach my classes there.  I love being in that space and creating a warm and positively energetic place for students to practice!

Why do you teach?
I think some people have a gift or knack or desire for teaching, whatever it is you teach.  For me, I honestly love teaching. I love making my students feel comfortable, making them laugh, and sharing all of the wonderful benefits of a yoga practice with them.  Everyday I feel honored by them to be in their lives as their teacher just guiding and supporting them along the way.

How do you describe what yoga is?
Depending on the time of my life and state of mind, this answer could change!  Right now, however, I’d have to say it is a process of realization, going deeper inside and exploring your feelings, thoughts, and emotions, being fully present and aware of them, and then accepting all that you find there.  The flow of postures and structure of a class are all vehicles for this self-exploration and realization.  Ultimately, the idea is simply one of acceptance and love.

What aspect of yoga do you personally want to explore more deeply?
I have an interest in mudras and meditation. Meditation can difficult hard for some people, and I am definitely one of those people!  I would like to explore the use of mudras with meditation and be able to teach that more.

What are your thoughts on the growing popularity of yoga?
It’s a good thing!  I feel that people come to different forms yoga in different ways and in different stages of their lives. So, I think that any form of yoga at any stage of life is positive.

What are your hobbies?
Well, my husband and I have two wonderful, energetic, little boys, 5 and 2 1/2 years old, so right now our hobbies are anything we do as a family!

What is something unique or quirky about you that not many people know about?
Well, hard to admit for a yoga teacher, but I am a little, well, sometimes, quite high strung, very pitta, for those of you who know ayurveda.  Actually, this is probably something that most people who know me well are aware of, but maybe not those who just met me. :) This is probably one of the reasons I came to yoga, and, I feel it helps me identify with my students. Like I said before, I am learning right along with them!