Dancing Mind Yoga

I began practicing yoga in 2004, after finishing an 11 year competitive swimming career. I discovered power vinyasa yoga when I moved to Los Angeles and was hooked by the challenging physical practice. In addition to keeping me physically fit, yoga keeps me mentally and emotionally healthy. I wanted to be able to share my love of yoga with others through teaching and after moving from California to Virginia in 2008, I was able to make that dream a reality at Dancing Mind Yoga.

I enjoy teaching Baptiste Power Vinyasa because this practice can be modified to fit any person’s body. I practiced this style of yoga throughout my entire pregnancy and avoided many common pregnancy discomforts. I also enjoy challenging my students to reach new levels within their practices by connecting them to their breath, body and mind. I am continually amazed and inspired by the way yoga has changed my students and myself physically and mentally.

When I was 28 years old, I was very overweight, out of shape and extremely unhappy with myself. I had become numb to what I was doing to my body. Not until I saw a picture of myself, did I realize that I no longer recognized that woman anymore. This was the catalyst that set the intention in motion for me to lose weight and get healthy by the time I turned 30. I quickly learned that diet and exercise only shed the physical pounds; yet there was a bigger weight problem to tackle—the one in my head.

Through the suggestion of a close friend, I added yoga to my life. I began to practice Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga in Boston & Cambridge—that was 8 years ago. Yoga was the missing piece of the puzzle for me!!! The heat of the Baptiste practice allowed me to break free from the mental pounds that weighed me down. As each bead of sweat dropped, I soon discovered the Ursula that I thought was lost many years ago.

“Transformations in Progress”—I believe that is what each of us are. Our individual journey is a progression and evolution to get to our authentic and highest self. I believe that yoga illuminates the path where mind & body can walk together in harmony. I am deeply grateful to all of my teachers and students both past and present who have shaped me into a more empowered teacher and compassionate human being.

As a teacher I would like to share myself and my experiences with my students. My style is rooted in the strong technical base of the Baptiste flow combined with a loving space for my students to grow. I aim to challenge you physically, help you discover strengths you never knew you had, and have a good time in the process.

Yoga has transformed who I am into a more authentic and powerful person. I now embrace the challenges of life and am more willing and open. I also look forward to seeing possibilities open up when I stay the course. I teach to share this gift that I received through yoga with the DMY community. I find that by sharing my own personal trials and errors in my journey, others can reflect and see that we are all mirrors of each other.

At DMY, I show up BIG to help others realize their true potential. As DMY’s Teacher Assistant Lead Mentor, I am responsible for guiding our team of Assistants. I am also part of the DMY Workshops and Programs Leadership Team. I assist 40 Days to Personal Revolution, TAP, Teacher Assistant Mentorship and Teacher Mentorship as well as the 200 HR RYT Teacher Training Program.

I started my yoga career at DMY in 2009 under the mentorship of Paula Baake. At DMY I have taken Level I Intensive Teacher Training Program, the Teacher’s Mentorship Program, Teacher’s Assistant Program (TAP), DMY’s 200 HR Teacher Training Program (200 HR TT) and 40 Days to Personal Revolution. I am also under the mentorship of Mr. Baron Baptiste and have attended his Level I and Level II Teacher Training (TT) Bootcamp.

I began taking yoga classes in 1992. I practiced one or two times a week and loved yoga as a method of cross training and injury prevention for my other athletic endeavors of rugby, racquetball, bicycling, running, and weight training. In March of 2009, I took my first Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga class. It was the hardest yoga class I had ever taken, both mentally and physically. I loved the challenge.

I started practicing Baptiste Power yoga more frequently and whole-heartedly. My aches and pains from old injuries began disappearing and I felt stronger and more mobile than I had in years. I am grateful to those who have taught me. And I want to share with others the power and joy of integration of mind, body, and spirit via yoga.

In 2010 I began working towards a yoga teacher certification. I completed DMY Intensive Teacher Training, in February, DMY TAP Program in May, and have completed DMY’s 200HR RYT Teacher Training program in March of 2011 with DMY owner Paula Baake. I have also attended Level I Teacher Training Bootcamp with Mr. Baron Baptiste in June 2010.

It is my hope that in teaching and assisting, I will be able to give to others that which has been shared with me. That is how to have fun and how to deepen one’s practice physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Before yoga I was quick to judge. I would often be found beating myself up for not being perfect. I was living in the past and not allowing myself to grow. I was stuck in a world that was paying a toll on my health mentally and physically. Being dramatic and reactive was my way of being.

I began yoga after moving to the DC area in 2004. I learned the practice of yoga through the principal at the school in which I taught. I loved the athletic of the poses; this practice spoke to my former athletic self. In the beginning yoga was primarily a physical practice. I yearned for more as I became more forgiving of my past self. I became aware of my being.

I began to bring yoga off the mat and into my life while practicing at Dancing Mind. The Dancing Mind community brings such powerful energy and has helped me to open up many possibilities in my life. This energy of owning my power has transcended into my everyday living. I stand my ground and have learned so much about the real, authentic me.

Now that I see the authenticity in myself I see the authenticity in others. I have the yoga fever. This is a passion of mine in which I share with my students as I teach and assist. This is a supportive community that allows for the inner badass in all of us to shine!

In my first year at Dancing Mind Yoga, I signed up for every program that was offered. I participated in two 40 Days to Personal Revolution programs, two Teacher Assistant programs, Level 1 Bootcamp with Baron Baptiste in Hawaii, and most recently the Spring 2011 Teacher Training.

Yoga has changed my life in many ways, and I am so thankful for a new awareness I never knew I had. I have more joy, gratitude and willingness in my life and most importantly I have learned how to be authentic and powerful.

Teaching at DMY allows me to give back the love and support to the community which it has provided me. Just walking into the studio door gives me so much positive energy that any negative feeling I may have immediately goes away. I am so thankful to be a part of the teaching staff to be able to provide ease and positive energy to my students.

I discovered yoga in graduate school as a stress reliever and a good exercise. During my first class at DMY, I connected to the Baptiste practice and enjoyed the challenging poses, the upbeat community and invitation to explore my mind, body and spirit connection.

Two years later, I continue to be surprised by the joy yoga brings to my life. Not only the physical strength and flexibility, but my mind is calmer, my outlook is brighter, and my relationships are more fun. It is through my yoga practice and the DMY community that I have grown brighter.

I teach Baptiste style yoga because it has enriched my life and motivated me to be a more authentic person. Through this practice I have found deeper connection in my relationships, a healthy dose of gratitude, and boundless laughter. I aim to offer DMY students a joyful and challenging practice.

I practice yoga because it brings me closer to truth: truth of where I am physically, mentally, and spiritually. I practice at Dancing Mind Yoga because of the Baptiste community and their dedication to personal growth. I have been practicing Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga since 2008, starting at MBody Yoga in Jacksonville, FL. It was introduced to me through a dear friend who, prior to my first visit to the studio, cautioned, “We sweat and sigh out loud a lot!” They certainly did these two things (profusely).

What kept me coming back was not only the physical workout, but also the practice’s relevance to everyday living. Yoga was no longer this mysterious thing, only for certain people who knew a certain language. The teachers made it accessible. This inspired me to partake in 40 Days to a Personal Revolution where I was able to take a good and honest look in the mirror, re-evaluating my beliefs, habits, relationships, friendships, unhealed emotional wounds, and general well-being. I attribute 40 Days to setting in motion my desire to lead a more truthful life.

I am blessed to have moved to an area where there is another Baptiste Affiliate Studio! In the fall of 2010, I began my journey at DMY and completed their 200 HR-RYT Teacher Training program along with my 2nd round of 40 Days. I teach at Dancing Mind Yoga because I am passionate about sharing the joy, personal power, and creativity that is possible through this practice. It is my intention to serve this community through my enthusiasm, compassion, and love for the journey of yoga and all who embark upon it. My growth and connection to others is relative, and I truly value the connections that are fostered in the DMY and Baptiste Yoga community.

I found yoga mid-2007, but I wasn’t hooked until I found Baptiste yoga later that year. I practiced intermittently while in school. When I moved home after graduation, I tried every yoga studio in my hometown to see if I could find one that I enjoyed as much as my former Baptiste studio.

To no avail, I joined a gym. When I landed a job in the DC area, I found DMY online and signed up before I even moved! I have been practicing at DMY ever since, participating in the 200 hour Teacher Training Program, TAP and 40 Days.

When I started at DMY, the assistants were my favorite part of the studio. They were always extremely friendly, welcoming and helpful, not to mention totally awesome – – need I say more! I wanted a chance to share the experience with others. I am grateful for the opportunity to assist and teach at DMY.

After spending most of my time seeking wisdom in all of the wrong places I began to question my own ways of playing computer and video games twelve hours a day.

I decided to step outside of the room box and start doing something good for myself: exercise. I signed up for DMY’s $50 Intro Month and practiced as much as I could. After that first month, I took an All Levels Master Class workshop and became hooked. I started taking every program at DMY I possibly could, 40 Days, TAP, Teacher Training, etc… and here I am now, a teacher!

I teach and assist because I truly believe in the transformational power of yoga. I intend to give back to others as others gave to me. I will contribute to the community by being present and authentic, encouraging and inspiring others to do the same.

I began practicing yoga in 2007 when old sports injuries were taking the fun out of running. Yoga brought me an ease I hadn’t felt in years.

Curiosity and a desire to learn more brought me to Dancing Mind Yoga in 2010. The physicality of the Baptiste style drew me in, but the people I met that first day made the bigger impression. I completed DMY’s 200-HR RYT Teacher Training Program including 40 Days to Personal Revolution and the Teacher Mentorship Program. These programs recharged my sense of possibility and led me to action on things that matter to me.

I am exploring opportunities to work with kids and help foster in them a passion for physical activity and healthy living. The DMY community is inspiring and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve through teaching. My intention is to support my fellow students to find power, lightness, and joy in their yoga practice and be unstoppable in their lives.