About Me:

I found yoga when I needed it most. I was an obese child (weighing 220 lbs at age 14) who  suffered ridicule and bullying everyday in school. By the time I entered high school I had developed a dangerous obsession– I was anorexic and bulimic. I was addicted to exercise and would get up at 5am to watch and complete various exercise programs, including yoga, though at the time I gave it no extra thought. It was only after being admitted to the EDP ward at a local hospital that a light turned on. Breaking free from this karma was very liberating and since then I have been dedicated to educating people that self-hatred, self-mutilation and self-starvation are not the ways to happiness or health. Yoga has also helped me with osteoarthritis pain management and control chronic bronchitis / asthma.

I have completed both Marsha Wenig’s YogaKids ™ 4 day training, and Shakta Kaur Khalsa’s Radiant Child Yoga Certifications ™Level I & II as well as Manju Jois’s Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training, Prenatal Yoga Training with Rhonda Kantor of Global Yoga twice, and completed a year long Hatha Yoga Teacher training through The Temple of Kriya Yoga. I am an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church and help individuals with their own spiritual growth. I earned a B.A in English Language and Literature with a minor in education from Benedictine University where I served as President for both Kappa Delta Pi (International Education Honors Society) and Sigma Tau Delta (English Honors Society). I am also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and an ACE Group Fitness Instructor. I am a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and dedicated to learning more about the therapeutic applications and benefits of yoga. I have completed ALACE Doula Training and toLabor training and love working with women during this time of their lives as a professional trained doula and lactation educator through CAPPA. I am an E-RYT 200 registered with the Yoga Alliance.  I have training from Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy levels I, II, & III.  I am proud to be a graduate of the Chicago School of Thai Massage and am a Registered Thai Therapist with the Thai Healing Alliance Int’l.  I have been an avid bellydance enthusiast for several years taking FatChance Bellydance classes, Turkish and Egyptian Bellydance Classes and Tribal Style.  I am a certified Dancing for Birth Instructor. I am also a licensed ZIN member offering Zumba Fitness classes including, Zumba Basic I & II, ZumbAtomic (kids) Zumba Gold (baby boomers) Zumba Toning (sculpting) Zumba Gold Toning , Zumba in the Circuit (30 minute circuit class) and Aqua Zumba (water based). I am committed to growth as a practitioner and instructor and regularly complete additional workshops and trainings. Full resume available on request.

I have lived, worked and owned businesses in Naperville, IL since 1993 with my family.  Prior to my life in the Midwest I grew up on the East Coast, born in Connecticut and living most of my childhood in New Jersey among other places.

I met my soul mate years ago in a grocery checkout line, and our paths have always been running parallel.  They finally crossed when we were married November 15, 2002.  I have two amazing sons, who have wonderful fathers, and I am blessed to live within miles of my immediate family whom I see daily.

My teaching style, way of living and dealing with others is comprised of many pieces, a large portion of which is my exposure to different regions, diverse populations and distinct life experiences. My classes may not be for everyone, but I invite you to try and feel for yourself.