In 2007 my father died.

It has been the greatest loss in my life thus far, and also the greatest gift.

The experience of being with my father in his moment of dying was a spiritual peak, and one that has set the course of my life--from then, to now.

In those early morning hours, there was a great Peace, Love, sense of Spirit that infused the room. Something greater than human or form or earth or words. I felt held. 

Later that day, it was as though the volume had been turned up on the sun, wind, flowers, colors all around, a vibrancy and technicolor that had no barrier between the interior and exterior world — this Spirit singing all around and within me and everything else. 

It was so beautifully overwhelming, that even now, feels best expressed through tears. 

Not sad tears, but ones of joy and beauty so big they cannot be contained within the body, and must escape through the eyes.

It is That to which I wanted to orient my life, my work, what matters.

Not status or income, but the greater potency and potential always present, yet so elusive.

It wasn’t until coming to yoga teacher training at Kripalu that I felt this could be possible.

Here was the conversation I had been longing to have:

What does it mean to live well? What is possible? 

How can I love more, hold more, express more, feel more?

And the quest continues to this day.

It is not perfect, and I do not wish for it to be so. 

It is human, and messy, and full of trial and error.

But now with more curiosity. more compassion, more acceptance.

How does this relate to yoga, wellness, health, Ayurveda, meditation, nutrition…?

Beyond physical health in the conventional sense, when we feel well--alive, aligned, present, in body, mind, spirit, we are better able to serve who and what we love most in this world. 

We can show up as whole and vibrant. 

Capable of withstanding stress, trauma, and loss.

Hold those we love, and carry out our intended purpose.

This looks different for everyone.

And it is to this that I orient, forget, return, again and again.

It is behind every intention that I bring to a class, a session, a workshop.

That we are human, beautifully flawed and messy, and -- that there is greater magic waiting to be seen, felt, and expressed all around us.