Yoga originated in India and is believed to be almost 6,000 years old.  It started as a meditative practice and way of life but evolved throughout the years to include the physical postures still practiced today.  Traditional yoga incorporates physical poses (asana), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation/relaxation to help one achieve a state of physical and mental balance. 

Yoga is part of an ancient system of wellness and serves people of all faiths and beliefs; it is not a religion in itself.  Some disciplines have a more spiritual tone than others, while some focus strictly on the physical aspects.  The spectrum is quite broad, so you are encouraged to find the type of class/teacher that resonates with you.  When you are trying to find a class, ask in which discipline the teacher was trained and what he/she focuses on in class.  The beauty of yoga is there's something for everyone!

Yoga can certainly help you lose weight.  Although it doesn't provide the same level of cardio exercise that spinning or running might, it can definitely get your heart moving and induce some intense sweating!  Consistent practice will keep your body strong, flexible, and conditioned.  Mostly, people find that yoga cultivates a whole new awareness of their bodies.  When you're more aware of your body, you're more aware of how it responds to what you do to it and what you put into it.  It's a positive chain reaction; once you start making healthier choices you start feeling better, and because you're more aware of how good it feels to feel good, you make more healthy choices!

You should always check with you doctor before beginning any type of physical activity if you have health conditions or a history of injuries.  Yoga postures are highly adaptable and an experienced teacher will be able to help you modify them to suit your needs.  If you are cleared to practice yoga, make sure your teacher is aware of your situation and possibly schedule a private lesson or two first to give yourself one-on-one attention while you ease into physical activity.

You should wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move around in; nothing too tight, nothing too loose.  Tight clothes will restrict your movement and baggy t-shirts will flop over your head when you bend over!  Many stores sell yoga or workout clothing that is suitable for class.  Yoga is also practiced in bare feet.

Private lessons are either 60 or 90 minutes of one-on-one time and are a great opportunity to ease yourself into a yoga practice or refine and enrich your current one.  The lesson will be tailored to your specific needs and through personal attention and direct feedback, you will leave with clear answers to your questions and a better understanding of yoga as it pertains to you.  Currently I am available for one-on-one sessions at New Thought Yoga in Apollo Beach. 

Each class begins with a period of "centering" which is an opportunity to check in with both body and mind, release the day's stresses, and evaluate your current state.  We usually practice breathing exercises (pranayama) during this time as well.  We then move into basic stretches to warm the muscles and joints, then build up to our main sequence.  We finish each class with Savasana, which is 10-15 minutes of relaxation and guided meditation.

I have been teaching continuously since May of 2006 and am certified at the 200-hour level through Kripalu (https://www.kripalu.org) and the Yoga Alliance (https://www.yogaalliance.org).  I recently upgraded my certification with the Yoga Alliance to E-RYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) to reflect 1,000+ hours of teaching experience and I continue my education through self study and various workshops/seminars.

I currently teach at New Thought Yoga in Apollo Beach, Florida.