Since childhood, I have always been active. I began swimming at the age of five and continued through college. Though I was never the fastest swimmer, I cherished being part of a team. After college, I discovered yoga. My mother had started East Meets West Yoga, but while living in Albany, I took classes from local teachers.
In 2003, I returned to Buffalo and began practicing yoga in earnest. I regularly practiced with my mother and other teachers at East Meets West. In 2010, I completed my 200-hour Teacher Training through the Himalayan Institute and Rolf Sovik. For the next few years, I taught and practiced Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga.
After a decade of practice, in 2013, I began to experience the effects of repetitive movements associated with my style of yoga. I dealt with daily wrist and shoulder pain, low back discomfort, and hip pain. At the time, I didn’t connect these issues with my yoga practice. I had always believed yoga was inherently healing.
In 2015, I met Kathryn Bruni-Young, who transformed my approach to yoga. Kathryn founded Mindful Strength to teach yogis and other movers how to get stronger and move better. Through Kathryn, I was introduced to Cecily Milne of Yoga Detour™. In 2018, I completed my second 200-hour Teacher Training with Yoga Detour™ and became a Yoga Detour™ Registered Instructor. These practices revealed the limitations of Vinyasa Yoga and highlighted the importance of movement variety. I began weight training at Prescribed Motion, where my Physical Therapist and Trainer, Amanda Bevilacqua, reinforced the value of progressive loading for healing injuries. I continue to train with April Earsing of AE Fit 716.
In 2023, I completed my 300-hour teacher training with Jules Mitchell. Jules’ training helped me reintegrate yoga into my teaching in an authentic way. I was also introduced to Todd Hargrove, author of Better Movement, and the Feldenkrais method of somatic movement. His teachings have significantly influenced how I structure my classes.
In 2024, I earned my Personal Training Certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
My teaching is inspired by Anita Greber (East Meets West Yoga), Cecily Milne (Yoga Detour™), Kathryn Bruni-Young (Mindful Strength), Jules Mitchell (author of Yoga Biomechanics), Alexandra Crow (Yoga Physics), and Todd Hargrove (Better Movement).
I live in Buffalo, NY, with my partner, two dogs (Pema and Agnes), and two cats (Fiona and Calamity Jane).
about me
At the heart of my movement philosophy is Soft Strength, a practice that encourages fluidity, resilience, and a deep awareness of our bodies. Soft Strength is not just about building muscle; it’s about cultivating a mindful relationship with movement. It embraces the idea that strength comes from understanding our bodies' unique needs and limitations. This approach fosters movement optimism—the belief that we can move with joy and confidence, regardless of age or physical challenges. By focusing on ease and fluidity, we can learn to navigate discomfort and even pain, transforming our perceptions of movement and injury into opportunities for growth and exploration.
I offer a variety of classes designed to meet you where you are in your movement journey:
Mat-Based Soft Strength: This class combines elements of yoga, Pilates, and somatic movement to enhance your strength and flexibility while promoting body awareness. You'll experience a nurturing environment where you can explore movement safely and effectively.
Chair-Based Soft Strength: Perfect for those who prefer seated exercises, this class provides a gentle yet effective way to engage your body without the need for getting down on the floor. It focuses on improving coordination, balance, and mobility while emphasizing comfort and accessibility.
Muscle Mending: This restorative class promotes recovery and alleviates soreness through gentle movements and somatic principles. It's designed to help you release tension, improve body awareness, and restore optimal muscle and joint function, allowing you to feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
Strength Training: This class offers a balanced approach to building strength with a focus on functional movement. You'll engage in weight-based exercises that are tailored to your needs, helping you develop strength while maintaining a connection to your body’s natural movement patterns.
In addition to these offerings, I also provide bespoke classes tailored for groups with shared interests and experiences. Whether you’re part of an athletic team, a musician, a gardener, a runner, a rock climber, or a weight lifter, these sessions address the unique challenges and injuries that can arise from repetitive motions in your activities. Together, we can focus on enhancing your performance while preventing injuries, promoting recovery, and cultivating a deeper understanding of your body’s mechanics.
Each class is available as a group session or can be customized into a private class to better suit your individual preferences. My goal is to create a supportive community where you can explore movement with confidence and joy, all while focusing on what your body can do today. Join me in discovering the power of movement through the philosophy of Soft Strength!
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