My first yoga class wasn’t pretty—50 people in a tiny room practicing on wrestling mats.  It was Chico, 2001, and the class fulfilled my PE requirement.  After learning your basic downward facing dog and the power of breath I quickly realized it would take more than a semester to begin to understand. 

When I practice and teach I can speak to another’s soul directly without the smokescreen of a “story”.  Yoga gives me the opportunity to connect with people on an entirely different level.  I completed the 200-hr yoga teacher training at Zuda and plan to study with Baron Baptiste in Mexico next.  Traveling to India is also on the list—which both excites and scares me. 

By day I am a mental health therapist working with children and families.  The rest of the time I spend with my family and friends, practicing yoga, burning CDs of music, riding my bike, camping, painting, laughing—the really good belly laugh kind—and going out to eat.  I love taking road trips, especially to the Pacific Northwest. 

Born and raised in Sacramento, I have 4 siblings, all boys.  (I’m in the middle of the birth order.)  I went to the University of San Francisco for my masters in Psychology after graduating from Chico.  I’ve lived in Hawaii and Japan, with Leah Cullis, and in Germany.  And if you’re looking for someone to scuba dive with, look no further.

While we’re talking about books…if you’ve never read Mutiny on the Bounty, I highly recommend it.  It even makes a great gift for your friends.  In the interest of full disclosure, though, I should mention my great grandfather, Charles Nordhoff, co-wrote it and that I receive royalties for every copy sold. 

I feel so fortunate to have such a kind and supportive husband, who loves this practice as much as I do.  Thank you Dustin!