Hello

PERSONAL JOURNEY

I've been practicing yoga, intermittently, since 2004 when I took an Intro to Yoga course my freshman year at Clemson University.  I had entered the Animal and Veterinary school and needed an "easy A" extracurricular.  The "A" wasn't as easy as I imagined but the class ignited something in me.  I found I LOVED doing yoga and really enjoyed putting in the effort to achieve that "A" (which was not the case for most of my other classes).  

 

After working part-time at a vet's office I realized that while I enjoyed the animals, I did not enjoy being couped up inside a building all day.  I switched my major to Biological Sciences and studied abroad in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands learning how to do field research.  After graduating in 2008 I entered into the Student Conservation Association and interned with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for two years.  First working in Charleston, SC at the Ecological Services Office monitoring endangered Carolina Heelsplitters, then in Marble Falls, TX at Balcones Canyonlands NWR monitoring endangered Golden-Cheeked Warblers. 

 

 

 

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In 2014 we welcomed our first child, Decker, to our nomadic life.  We moved out to Grand Canyon NP for a few years.  Jordan was working as a Wildland Firefighter and I found a job at the local daycare where I found another passion of mine, working with children! We eventually made it back to Gatlinburg and the Smokies NP where I then became a leader for Tinkergarten (an outdoor, play-based learning, group class for kids 8mo-8yrs old). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decker started school and we began to grow our roots here, ending our nomadic whirlwind and settling in to our community.  In December 2019 our second son, Davey, was born (yay!) then Covid hit (boo!).  I spent as much time as I could hiking/camping and doing yoga to keep my sanity and to remind myself who I was before I was a mom.  I struggled with my identity for years as a stay-at-home mom and longed to get back "out there" and do the meaningful work I had done in the past. 

 

 

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I began teaching classes at the local community center in October 2024 where you can still find me 4x a week.  I also work as a camp counselor during the summer programs at the same place.  Thank you Gatlinburg Community Center for allowing me to get paid for two of my passions, (yoga and kids)!  I am currently in the process of becoming certified as a children's yoga instructor with Radiant Child.  

 

CORE VALUES

I truly want to be able bring the joy that is yoga to everyone.  I teach a secularized traditional yoga to allow everyone to bring their own religions and personal thoughts to their practice. I strive to keep all body types in mind when I design my classes. I love being able to offer modifications and props to everyone, even those who have been practicing for years.  I remind all my students to listen to their own bodies, do what feels good, don't push too far and if you need to do something else then just do it!  The word "yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj" which means to join or unite.  In yoga we unite our minds and bodies through breathing.  If you come to a mat and just sit and breath you are doing yoga.  My goal is to get you to that mat with a smile!

 

COMMITMENT

As an Open Heart Yogi you will get the personal attention you desire. I can be as hands-on or hands-off as you like.  I will listen to your goals and take into account any medical conditions or circumstances when I write your personal yoga class sequence.  I'm always available for questions or tips on yoga poses.