Jackie

I started my yoga journey eight years ago. It was on day date with my husband. I bought a Groupon (so romantic, right?!) Together we walked into a Bikram studio. It was a 90 minute class. One of us liked it. I can still remember the smells, how the air seemed so heavy, and the carpet – the lovely carpet! I survived what I thought was torture and I never went back.

Fast forward a few years, I got injured. As an artist/sculptor spending long hours at my table reeked havoc on my body, especially my shoulders, neck and back. My doctor suggested I try yoga, I decided to try again. This time was different. Same style Bikram class, but the studio had ditched the carpet and I didn’t feel tortured. The more I kept going, the happier I felt. This feeling off the mat spilled over into my everyday interactions.

I practiced everyday and it was a refuge in my life. It was a natural decision to go deeper into teacher training. As an artist, my motto has always been to practice, keep learning and never think you’ve mastered your craft: Yoga is no different.

After my 200hr training, I continued learning with various workshops. I was hungry for more yoga knowledge.  Also, I chose to become certified in Trauma Yoga and Y12SR. Yoga 12-Step and Recovery is a class offered to anyone dealing with addictive behaviors. Addiction is a family disease and it most likely has touched all of us in one way or another. I have found this to be a powerful tool in my arsenal of ongoing healing and growing.

When I’m not on my mat, I create. I’m a clay artist, junk collector, journal maker, vintage lover and over all, art supply hoarder. Art is another form of healing to me. It’s a lifeline and I enjoy sharing art with others.

Yoga and art are meant to be shared, I feel very lucky to practice both. Being on my mat is like a blank canvas or a mound of clay. It is creative time for me…I create space for my mind and body.

I enjoy many styles of yoga. Being on my mat is my favorite kind of yoga. The practice of yoga is meant to be a gift and to be shared.

Through the years, I’ve grown to love the stillness just as much as the physical poses.
Teaching for me is simply looking through the lens with openness. I learn so much from others. The community is such a huge part of my practice…finding that connection is my why.

Being creative and learning is the ultimate collaboration.

So let’s create, learn and grow together on and off the mat.

Namaste