RYT200, NSCA-CPT, NASM-CPT
Yoga Instructor, Personal Trainer
Enerzy Exchange Yoga, Founder
Boca Raton, FL
Tell us about yourself, your story, where you are from, practice, etc.
Originally from Philadelphia, I now live in Boca Raton, Florida. A large part of my professional history has been in the hospitality field starting as a spa technician, progressing to running multiple large, five-star spas and being a Director of Fitness, Spa & Aquatics in an upscale country club.
After several years of working for other people, the next path on my journey was to open my own yoga studio. My passion then became creating a boutique yoga and fitness studio that focuses on the individual student and offers a variety of teachers and classes that engage, encourage and motivate students all in an inspiring, well-appointed environment. Combining my experience in upscale spa hospitality with my philosophy for complete wellness helped me create a studio where a person embarks on an achievable path to optimal life balance.
How and why did you start yoga?
With my experiences in these high-end hospitality businesses, I began to evolve and expand my view of wellness in people's lives. I introduced myself to yoga through Bikram Yoga. Looking to find an escape from the professional intensity in my life, I consequently found not just an escape but balance instead. Thus, my journey began and I became a 200 RYT certified instructor. Plus after leading an inspiring team of fitness professionals, I continued my own personal development as a fitness professional by obtaining multiple personal training certifications as well.
Who was your great mentor/teacher?
I take inspiration from many yogi, Shiva Rea, Jason Crandell, Sadie Nardini.
Tell us your practice style and how did you choose your yoga method?
My practice style is a Vinyasa Flow with inspiration from Hatha Yoga. As a student and instructor, I teach and practice a vinyasa style practice that is mindful, well-sequenced and inspirational. I prepare the mind and body for a challenging but motivational, balanced flow.
What obstacles has yoga helped you overcome?
Yoga physically helped me create more space in my body, find more physical extension and flexibility, enhance my endurance, learn how root down to balance, and develop more strength. Yoga also helped become more aware of my actions, identify negative patterns of thought and improve my mind-body connection.
What is your mind set when you step onto the mat?
It can vary. Most days I’m excited and cannot wait to practice and other days distractions can become influential. When I’m feeling less energy or not as engaged, that is when I make sure to step onto my mat. The motivating factor is knowing that I always feel more energized and centered after yoga!
When did you understand you wanted to be a yoga teacher?
After practicing for several years, I felt the next step in my development was to become a yoga instructor. I don’t know if there was any one point in time where I decided to become an instructor, it was a passion that just kept growing inside me.
What is the most rewarding part of being a yoga teacher?
The most rewarding part has been opening a yoga studio that offers a variety of opportunities for people to create and customize their own version of better health and being able to assist people in experiencing a multi-faceted approach to find their path to optimal health and fitness; establishing the mantra, it’s not a workout but a work-in.
Why is yoga so important for the times we’re living in?
Besides the most obvious benefits of reducing stress, the enhanced physical benefits and the advantages of mental clarity, I believe yoga helps with personal and spiritual development as well. Yoga deepens the connection with your body, creates a self-directed and evolving path and assists a person to create, experience and achieve. Yoga becomes the space to unplug from the never ending torrent of static created by electronics, social media and the furious pace of 21st-century living.
How important is living a healthy lifestyle (clean eating/eating healthy for example) important to the yogi lifestyle?
Simply put, they are inextricably intertwined.
Any natural ingredients and/or vitamins (example: Chlorophyll, Vitamin b12) that you recommend? And why?
I recommend probiotics for gut health, bee pollen for energy, green juice powders with chlorophyll, vitamins and minerals for balanced energy and alkaline ph balanced electrolyte water for hydration.
How important is hydrating/drinking water to the yoga lifestyle/your practice?
Proper hydration is an integral part of keeping your body in balance. It is important for proper brain and muscle functions, flushes out toxins, reduces inflammation and promotes general well-being.
Your favorite quote?
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”- Neale Donald Walsch
Where we can we find you? Instagram, website, etc
Facebook @enerzyexchangeyoga
Instagram @enerzyexchangeyoga
