My Yoga Journey: From Healing to Teaching

Yoga has been a cornerstone of my life for years, but I didn’t always know it would play such a big role in my journey. In fact, when I first encountered yoga, I had no idea it would become a lifelong passion and my career. I’d like to share a bit about how I went from casually practicing yoga to owning a yoga studio and teaching others to become instructors through my own Yoga Teacher Training program.

Discovering Yoga Through Healing

I grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, in a family and community where yoga wasn’t part of the norm. My first exposure to the idea of yoga came from a cartoon—a far cry from what I practice now! But it wasn’t until I was battling an eating disorder and found myself in an inpatient treatment center that I experienced yoga firsthand. A nurse who was also a yoga teacher led a gentle class, and though the practice was subtle, it planted a seed of peace within me. That class helped me realize how disconnected I had become from my body, and I knew I wanted to explore yoga further.

For years, yoga was a sporadic part of my life. In my early 20s, I did yoga at home with VHS tapes and DVDs. There wasn’t the abundance of online classes and YouTube tutorials that we have today, so my practice was solitary and informal. But even without a regular routine, I knew there was something in yoga that resonated deeply with me.

The Turning Point

After years of struggling with my mental health and not having a consistent practice, I made the decision to move back to Kansas City to focus on healing. It was here that my yoga practice started to take root. I joined a local community center and found myself attending classes regularly. I wasn’t just feeling stronger physically; I was reconnecting with my body in a way that felt nurturing and empowering, rather than punishing.

My teachers encouraged me to consider Yoga Teacher Training, but I wasn’t sure I was ready. I still didn’t fully believe in myself. One night, after a particularly restless evening of racing thoughts, I found myself Googling teacher training programs. I stumbled upon a program in Costa Rica, and something inside me said, “This is it.” I took a leap of faith, signed up for the training, and told myself I would figure out the logistics later.

Becoming a Teacher

That decision was one of the best I’ve ever made. The intensive training in Costa Rica opened up my understanding of yoga on so many levels—physically, mentally, and spiritually. I came home transformed and started teaching right away. Soon, I was teaching around 24 classes a week and falling deeper in love with the practice.

Teaching yoga became not just a profession, but an extension of my own journey of healing. I wanted to share with others the peace and joy I had found through yoga. Over time, I started envisioning a community yoga program, which eventually blossomed into what is now True Love Yoga. My vision was to create a space where yoga was accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation or experience level.

Growing True Love Yoga

True Love Yoga started as pop-up classes in parks around Kansas City, and before I knew it, I was running my own studio. Since then, it’s grown into a thriving community, and I’ve been able to lead yoga retreats, teach all over the world, and most importantly, develop a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program that continues to empower and inspire new teachers.

Yoga has given me so much over the years, and now I feel called to give back by sharing what I’ve learned. Whether it’s through leading classes, retreats, or teacher trainings, my mission is to help others connect with themselves and find healing and peace through yoga.

Continuing the Practice

Today, my practice looks a little different. Since becoming a mother, it’s been harder to maintain the same kind of daily routine I once had, but I’ve learned to adjust. I find moments to practice, whether it’s for 10 minutes or 30 minutes, and I know that my daughter is watching me dedicate myself to this practice that’s so important to me. I’m proud to be able to share the love and benefits of yoga with my family, my community, and now, through this platform.

If you’re interested in deepening your own practice or exploring how yoga can change your life, I encourage you to check out our Yoga Teacher Training program. You can also listen to more of my yoga journey and teachings on the Deepen Your Practice podcast.