Where Yoga Meets Whole-Person Wellness
I call myself a Yoga + Healthy Lifestyle Educator because I am so much more than simply a “yoga teacher.” When I began teaching yoga in Ann Arbor almost 30 years ago I sensed that something was missing. I saw students practicing in large classes on auto-pilot--without enough individual attention, and without honoring what their bodies truly needed. I saw students showing up for their weekly yoga class but overlooking other essential pieces of well-being like nourishment, rest, and self-care. I wanted to do things differently.
So I began creating wellness-focused yoga courses designed for the whole person. Over the years, my work has evolved and deepened to include private, one-on-one sessions where my clients and I focus on physical, mental, and emotional well-being together.
Today, my work is rooted in five key pillars that support lasting, meaningful transformation:
- * Yoga
- * Self-Care
- * Plant-Based Nutrition
- * Healthy Aging + (Peri)menopause
- * High Sensitivity (HSP)
My passion for each of these areas is a reflection of being both a life-long learner and someone who has done--and continues to do--my own inner work. My livelihood is not just what I do; it is a reflection of who I am.
My Journey as a Yoga + Wellness Educator
My personal wellness journey began with Yoga. After earning a degree in International Business Administration from Alma College in the ’90s and starting a career in the automotive industry, I quickly realized I was being called in a different direction. I took a leap of faith, left the corporate world, and spent the next two years both working and studying to become an Interdisciplinary Yoga Instructor at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in New York. When I returned to Michigan in the late '90s, I became the very first teacher to introduce Vinyasa yoga to the Ann Arbor community. I was the 'unconventional' instructor teaching classes out of my basement--but students flocked to that small, humble space, and it became the foundation for a thriving yoga career built from (below) the ground up.
My path has continued to evolve ever since. I completed a second Yoga Teacher Training at the Center for Yoga in Michigan in 2002 and a Wellness Educator Training in 2020. In 2025, I completed Harvard Medical School’s Executive Education Lifestyle Medicine + Wellness Coaching course. I draw on this diverse background to create thoughtful, wellness-focused online yoga courses that support the whole person—helping students feel stronger, more balanced, and more at home in their bodies and lives.
One of my key areas of focus is Yoga for Healthy Aging. As we age, we often face challenges such as (peri)menopause, loss of muscle mass and balance, osteoporosis, arthritis, and hypertension. Yoga can be a powerful tool to support us through these changes—when it’s practiced in a way that is appropriate for each individual. That’s why I offer personalized support, helping clients develop yoga practices that are sustainable, adaptable, and deeply supportive—at every stage of life.
Yoga + Wellness as a Way of Life
Yoga is about so much more than the postures we practice on a mat—it’s a way of living. It’s reflected in how we nourish our bodies, how we care for ourselves, and how we show up in the world.
As an advocate for sustainability and planetary health, I’ve followed a whole-foods, plant-based lifestyle for decades. It’s a way of eating that supports both personal well-being and the health of our planet—and one I love helping others explore. You’ll find plenty of nourishment and inspiration in the plant-based recipe resources on my Wellness Blog.
My approach to wellness is also shaped by my own life experiences. Through navigating chronic stress, perimenopause, and chronic illness—topics I share about more deeply in my Online Wellness Courses—I learned the importance of caring for myself in a more intentional way. Today, I’m a strong believer in daily self-care, healthy boundaries, and self-compassion. If you’re needing support in these areas (and most of us are), you’ll find practical tools and guidance on my Wellness Blog.
Another transformative piece of my journey was discovering that I have Sensory Processing Sensitivity, also known as being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). Learning how to work with this trait—and how to reduce anxiety and overwhelm—showed me just how deeply it can impact overall well-being. I especially love supporting fellow HSPs, and you’ll find a wide range of resources on my Wellness Blog. But truly, this work is for anyone who feels the need to slow down, unplug, become more present, and savor life more fully. As an HSP, it’s my superpower to help you do just that.
My Private Ann Arbor Yoga Studio
In the summer of 2016, I moved my private yoga studio, The Yoga Room, from its original basement space to a charming cottage studio nestled behind my home in Ann Arbor, MI. This inviting, poolside sanctuary overlooks lush, sprawling gardens and features a cork floor, meditation loft, high ceilings, natural wood, and a deeply peaceful atmosphere.
I’ve intentionally created a space that feels warm, intimate, and safe—where you can truly relax, be yourself, and receive the personal attention your practice deserves.
In addition to private yoga sessions, I host Personal Retreats and other special events throughout the year, along with Aqua Yoga sessions in the pool during the warm weather months. I am honored that The Yoga Room has twice been voted Best Yoga Studio in Ann Arbor, MI.
If you’re in the Ann Arbor area and are seeking gentle guidance, a healing presence, a supportive space, and someone who truly cares, I would love to work with you.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
