1.) Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?

I began practicing in 1999, looking for something new for my physical workouts. I began with Ashtanga and found that immediately I felt different. Softer. Calmer. More patient. Over the years, I delved deeper into the meditative and spiritual aspects. It is now part of my daily life and I cannot imagine my life without the physical, emotional and mental gifts yoga imparts. I’m now a student of Rod Stryker’s Parayoga, interweaving the tantric aspects into my practice.

2.) When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?

I’ve been teaching for 10 years. When I love something, I end up teaching it. For me, it was a natural transition to begin sharing the practice with others.

3.) What makes your classes unique?

I’m not sure if they are necessarily unique, but what differentiates my classes is that I teach them from an authentic, real place every time. My offering from the heart, my love of creative, alignment based flows designed for my students to find their own moving meditation, deal with their own stuff that they bring to the mat. I also like to emphasize joy and light in the practice.

4.) How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?

I love music in yoga! Creating mixes that are uplifting and complement the flow has to be one of my favorite parts of teaching. Music taps into a deeper part of our psyche and can help the “monkey mind” quiet down.

5.) Tell me about your next event and your involvement with City of Hope. Where we can follow you online?

The sixth annual Yoga for Hope is this Saturday, August 13th at Petco Park. Back in 2010, I sat down with Robyn Hima of City of Hope and we hatched the plan for the inaugaral Yoga for Hope and we’ve never looked back. As a cancer survivor who lost two brothers to AIDS, the work done at City of Hope gives me faith that one day these diseases can be eradicated. You can find out more about me and my teaching at www.oceansoulyoga.com.

To learn more about City of Hope, please visit their website here.

[bandcamp video=575874153 width=560 height=430 bgcol=ffffff linkcol=7137dc]

Attention Yogis and Yoginis: Are you interested in doing a 5Q Interview?  Fill out your unique responses here.