I first discovered yoga when I was about 11. My mom bought a Shivananda Yoga coffee table book and I used to "play yoga" with my friends, practicing sun salutations. College brought me to Balanced Yoga as a worktrader while I was studying business and exercise science. A personal loss in my family took me away from yoga for a period of time. I eventually came back to yoga. As I began to practice again I found my body was not able to move in the ways it used to. I couldn't even do a downward dog without great discomfort. Lori suggested I try Sue's class, which I have been attending every week for 2 years. Her class has taught me that yoga is much more than a physical practice and can even be done while sitting in a chair. With this I found my passion and was ready to do a yoga teacher training. In February 2012, I attended the month long 200 hour yoga teacher training at Kripalu Center in Lenox, Mass. There, I learned skills to be the best yoga teacher I can be, and to be my true authentic self. In my yoga classes, I provide several posture options because although my body has exceeded it capabilities from when I used to practice, I realize that every body is different. I know what it is like to be overweight and not able to move my body in certain ways. I encourage students to understand that all yoga is good, even if it is just sitting and breathing. I am a 200 hour certified Kripalu Yoga teacher and registered with Yoga Alliance. It is an honor to be teaching at Balanced Yoga Studio because it is so deeply rooted in my path of yoga. Jai Bagwan!