MY STORY

My mom used to say that she didn’t recognize me when I was standing on my feet.

That’s because as a kid, I was constantly standing on my head and doing cartwheels and flips. I wasn't a fan of competitive sports -- but I loved moving my body. I felt light & free.

In my 20s, I was going through a divorce (the consequence of one of many questionable life choices), when I saw a flier pinned to a bulletin board that said, ”Stressed out? Try yoga!”

Was I stressed? You bet I was – so I tried it. It was the early 90s, and I found myself in a hair salon at night, with a group of strangers moving my body into novel positions and breathing. At the end we rested. The whole experience blew my mind! I left there feeling more relaxed, more carefree, and more myself than I had in a long time.

And I knew I needed more of this yoga thing in my life. It came in the form of years practicing in the Iyengar tradition--known most for its emphasis on alignment and precision. After 10 years, I moved to the Bay Area and started studying, with Judith Lasater, Rodney Yee, Richard Rosen, and Tony Briggs, among others. In 2001 I started teaching at Piedmont Yoga Studio. Along the way I kept the aspects of the Iyengar tradition that spoke to me most, blending it with my personal approach to the practice of yoga.

Decades later, I’m still that curious, ardent student—always learning about the body, the brain, and the nervous system. And every day, I’m honored to share what I’ve learned with my students.

My yoga classes are not workouts—they’re work-ins. Yes, you’ll build strength, mobility, and balance, but that’s not the main reason my students keep coming back (or why I still practice after 30 years). Yoga is a pathway to our innate calm, something we all need—myself included. That’s why my teaching focuses on soothing the nervous system and shifting from fight or flight into rest and digest.

To help students explore this, I break down poses with a focus on alignment and awareness, offering modifications so everyone can adapt the practice to their needs. Classes build progressively, often culminating in a final pose, with interconnected themes over time.

Expect space for questions. Expect the occasional corny joke. Expect a surprise cameo from my big, white dog, Bernadette. Expect a short poem at the end—likely from Mary Oliver. Expect conversation before class about books, travel, and life. Because this isn’t just a class—it’s a community.

Students join from the Bay Area, London, the East Coast, and beyond. Some tune in live; others catch the recordings. There’s flexibility built into everything I teach, because yoga—and life—isn’t about perfection. One of my favorite phrases is “Soften something.” Your jaw, your breath, your expectations. See how it feels.

If you’re feeling stressed (congratulations, you’re human!), I hope to meet you soon on the mat.