My story

Hello, and welcome to Grateful Heart Yoga! I have been practicing yoga for more than twenty years, initially attending classes to supplement my regular workout routine. Over time I began to see that there is so much more to yoga than the asanas, or poses. Little by little the words that teachers spoke while I was napping in Shavasana began to penetrate. I began to explore the philosophies of yoga here and there, and with growing attention. Patanjali’s second sutra (a foundational text of yoga) says, essentially, that yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind. This resonates with me as I navigate this world of information overload. I need my mind to be still and steady. Practicing to find steadiness in yoga asanas helps me find steadiness in my thoughts and actions off the mat. 

The ethics and disciplines (Yamas and Niyamas) of Ashtanga yoga include values that I have held all my life. The words I have always used include honesty, integrity, kindness, commitment, and courage. Humor is also valuable to me, and has served me well as I find that steadiness is not always achieved on the first balancing pose. 

I want to share the joy and strength that yoga brings to me. I get to move my body in a way that just feels good. It is empowering to recognize the strength and perseverance I am capable of while holding a pose. It is humbling to recognize the moments that I stop speaking and consider my words more carefully. Those two things are not mutually exclusive, practicing one leads to strength in the other. 

I began Grateful Heart Yoga so that I can teach people how to do the poses of yoga, and also to encourage them to consider continuing stillness off the mat. When I sat still and considered this chapter of my life, I realized it was with a full, grateful heart. Grateful for this body and this time. I hope to help you find what you are grateful for, as I teach you how to come to a Simple Twist.