The following year, in 2009, I completed a yoga teacher training to become a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) and began my journey of sharing yoga with others. From the very first class I taught, I knew the yoga world was where I could be of service to others and make a positive impact. Continuing education trainings have been a big part of my journey: I’ve completed two meditation workshops with Llama Migmar Tseten, Buddhist Chaplain of Harvard University; a prenatal yoga teacher training at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health; a 4-day intensive training with TIMBo (Trauma-Responsive Innovations for Mind and Body); 100 hours of training with Soulful Yoga Therapy which focussed on yoga therapy for anxiety, depression and trauma; and, most recently, participated in masterclasses with Bo Forbes, author of Yoga for Emotional Balance. I am especially interested in how embodied practices help people heal from emotional wounds, and I continue to study the subject.

Why “Elephant Spirit”? Around the time I became a yoga teacher, the images of elephants on ordinary things like water bottles and clothing always caught my eye. In the news, I was moved by challenges they face as a species. I stumbled upon several heartwarming documentaries. In particular, the story of an elephant named Shirley from the zoo near my hometown was powerful for me. I was inspired by the work of Dame Daphne Sheldrick, founder of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an organization in Kenya that rescues and cares for orphaned baby elephants. Her book, Love, Life and Elephants: An African Love Story, fell in my lap during a pivotal point in my life. I’m still captivated by these mighty creatures, and will be forever humbled by their stories. When I’m faced with challenges, I always think of the elephants and their admirable qualities, especially their resilience. The elephant's spirit, peaceful yet fearless, represents a balance I seek in my yoga practice and hope to instill in others through my work.