Yoga has been part of my life for more than four decades. It first came to me as movement—a way to feel more at home in my body, more steady, and more alive. Over time, it became a practice of attention: a way to meet myself with curiosity, to listen more closely, and to return to what matters.

Yoga has deep roots in the spiritual and philosophical traditions of India. The Sanskrit word yoga is often translated as “union” or “to yoke”: bringing together aspects of ourselves that can feel divided—body and mind, breath and movement, attention and action.

Today, yoga is often identified with asana, the physical postures. Posture is a meaningful doorway, but it is not the whole practice. In many traditions, yoga also includes breath, ethical reflection, concentration, meditation, and the gradual cultivation of a quieter, more responsive mind. The eight limbs described in Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras—including ethical commitments, posture, breath practice, sense awareness, concentration, meditation, and absorption—offer one influential map of this wider path.iep.utm+1

Yoga as a living practice

There is no single right way to practice yoga, and no ideal body required. A useful practice begins with the body and life you have today.

In my classes, yoga is not about striving for a shape, forcing flexibility, or keeping pace with someone else. It is an invitation to explore movement with care, breathe more fully, develop strength and mobility, and discover a steadier relationship with yourself.

My teaching draws on Iyengar Yoga, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Kripalu, Viniyoga, YogaFit, Feldenkrais, mindfulness, and dance. Viniyoga’s understanding that yoga should be adapted to the individual—not the individual forced to conform to a fixed practice—has been a particularly important influence. The result is a practice that values clear structure while remaining adaptable, creative, and responsive to each person’s needs.federationviniyoga+1

What you may find

People come to yoga for many reasons. You may be looking for a regular movement practice, more strength or flexibility, a calmer relationship with stress, or simply an hour in which to come back to yourself.

With consistent practice, yoga may support:

• Greater strength, mobility, balance, and coordination
• More ease in breathing and movement
• Increased body awareness and confidence
• Attention, concentration, and a sense of settling
• A more spacious response to the pressures of daily life
• Pleasure in moving, learning, and being present

Yoga is not a substitute for medical care. It can, however, be a supportive practice alongside the care and guidance that are right for you. Research supported by the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health indicates that yoga may support general wellness, stress management, sleep, balance, and mental and emotional well-being; the evidence differs by condition and by the kind of yoga practiced.nccih.nih

An invitation

You do not have to be flexible, experienced, or certain that you “belong” in a yoga class. Begin where you are. Bring your curiosity, your breath, and the body you have today.

The practice can meet you there.

Like the lotus, we too have the capacity to rise from the mud, out of darkness, and radiate into the world.