Growing up I was surrounded by art. My mom and all her sisters were artists and art teachers. Therefore, I have developed a deep appreciation for the arts and the dynamic that they add to our lives. I graduated from UCSC in 2003 with a BA in Fine Arts and continue to work in the visual arts. I believe the most amazing aspect of the visual arts is how the artist can depict and communicate emotional, spiritual, and physical sensations - intangible, soulful things - the most mysterious and mystical things involved in simply being a human. I became an ACE Certified Group Fitness instructor in 2008 as I became more and more aware of the power of physical movement as an art form. I found that the same raw sensations that can be communicated through the visual arts could be created, experienced, and even released in the physical arts. Most of my fitness experience has been in the martial arts and yoga.  I have taught cardio kickboxing in Truckee since 2008 along with many other various group fitness classes such as Yoga Sculpt, Kick Fusion, Ninja Sculpt and Body Sculpting.  In August 2011 I completed a three week intensive Yoga Alliance RYT 200 Yoga Teacher Training in Hood River, OR with Master Trainers Stephanie Adams and Adi Vajra.  I have furthered my training by attending a week long intensive in Haramara, Mexico in December 2011 as I work towards completion of my 500 hour RYT training.  And of course my continuing yogic experience is drawn from my daily life on and off the mat.  I strongly believe if we look deep within our True Self we may find a blazing fire, a bright light which we may harness; connecting us deep to The Source, the energy that connects us all.  A daily asana practice can bring each and every one of us closer to this energized space.  The raw emotion, creativity, and spirit involved in the yogic practice and path is both grounding and empowering. A sweaty enlightenment is hard earned and well deserved. A fierce and focused practice is always rewarded with that post-workout high that sends you into your day light as a feather and ready to float through anything that is thrown in your path.