About

Photo courtesy of Johan and Jeremy Attali

About Me

Exercise has been an important part of my life since I started speed walking and lifting weights (aka half-filled gallon milk jugs) at age 13, during the sweltering Louisiana summers, while listening to the top 8 at 8 on 94.5 KSMB. Fortuitous circumstances allowed me to take dance and swimming classes in high school. That was followed by martial arts, rock climbing, and more dance and swimming while studying for a B.S in Science. I didn't start yoga until I was a full time employee in San Francisco in 2003, and only when my rock climbing gym began offering free classes to members. I figured I couldn't climb every day, so it was something to do on the 'in between' days. Little did I know I would fall in love with it and it would completely change my life.

Six years later, while pursuing a career in microbiology/molecular biology, and working 60hr weeks for a startup that was saving the world creating biofuels from algae (yes it was a long time ago), I thought it would be fun to spend 6 months of my nights and weekends in yoga teacher training. Not that I ever thought I would become a yoga teacher.

Fast forward through the 8 years I spent in San Francisco that included lots of science, a newfound respect for fresh real food, rock climbing, yoga, a couple of trips to Burningman, and meeting and marrying a French man. Phew.

In 2010 we decided to quit our jobs and travel the world for 6 months, then settle in France. I got to do yoga in India, Bali, Australia, and Thailand on our trip! As if moving to a new country, learning a new language, and finding new friends isn't hard enough, I broke the shit out of my arm almost immediately upon arrival. After a couple of badly done surgeries, a couple more surgeries to fix those, and a year and a half of daily physical therapy, I started teaching corporate and private yoga classes and have never looked back. Also, I made really good friends with my physical therapist, and bonus, I got 'free French classes'. Win win.

What comes after love and marriage? You guessed it, the baby carriage. In August 2014, I gave birth to the second love of my life, a little boy. I was fortunate to have a healthy pregnancy and teach Vinyasa classes until I was almost 8 months pregnant. Getting back to it postnatally took 4 months, a lot longer than I (unwisely) expected. As if teaching yoga and being a mother aren't enough, (notice a theme here?) I recently did some additional Vinyasa training with Jason Crandell, and prenatal/postnatal training with Dr. De Gasque t to be a more well rounded 'prof. de yoga' as they say here in Paris. But really, continuing education is important!

I still believe in eating real food, which includes chocolate and broccoli, steaks and quinoa, and hot baguettes with fleur de sel butter. I embrace my mommy belly and encourage my students to treat their bodies well by enjoying some chocolate when they crave it, doing some yoga when their bodies and minds need it, doing moderate physical activity every day, and most importantly loving themselves as they are.

Contact

Praise & Recognition

"You have really made me love yoga." -P.N.

"Just wanted to thank you for the wonderful Yoga classes that you conduct – which has resulted in the change of my posture. For a while now, I have had a lot of people telling me that something about my body has changed! Yet again this morning someone commented that it was not only the weight loss but also my “forme” that had changed. So a special thank you for bringing about this change in my body with your teaching." -L.L

Education

Advanced YTT Jason Crandell   100hr Triyoga, London 2015
De Gasquet Method Prenatal Postnatal 40hr Instutit De Gasquet, Paris    2015
Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) 200hr Yoga Tree, San Francisco   2009
B.S. in Microbiology University of Louisiana @ Lafayette 2002
Master Class Ross Rayburn Big Apple Yoga, Paris   Nov 2013