Biography

My interest in yoga was initially inspired by the study of vedic philosophy as part of a double major (computer science, philosophy) at UC, Santa Cruz in the mid-90s. The experiences described in the "Upanishads" resonated with me, and were reminiscent of an experience I had had earlier in life. Inspired by the teachings, I attempted a regular meditation practice, but my "monkey mind" was too strong. Sometime later, I decided to buy a book on yoga asana, and randomly selected B.K.S. Iyengar's "Light on Yoga". The introduction to that book explains beautifully how yoga asana practice is a preliminary practice that prepares one for the practice of meditation. That day in mid-1995 I began a daily yoga asana practice based on the teachings in that book. I have since studied regularly with some of the most experienced Iyengar yoga teachers in the world... Kofi Busia, Ramanand Patel, and Aadil Palkhivala, as well as teachers from many other traditions. My asana practice has set the foundation for a renewed exploration of pranayama and meditation. I still have a "monkey mind", but the monkey is becoming tamer with each passing year!

In 1999, I spent a year training to teach yoga with Sensei Jeremy Corbell as his sole apprentice. Jeremy developed his own style of yoga based on his studies in ashtanga-vinyasa yoga, capoeira, and ju-jitsu. I began teaching Warrior yoga at UC, Santa Cruz in 2000. In 2002 I moved to Oakland and began an 18-month Advanced Studies program with Rodney Yee and Richard Rosen at Piedmont Yoga Studios. This program was largely grounded in the Iyengar tradition, and also focused more specifically on pranayama, meditation, and the art of teaching and working therapeutically with students. In addition to these two principle trainings, I've been heavily influenced by TriYoga with inspiringly lovable Tom Machado and Monkey Yoga with hilariously demanding Tim Thompson.

In 2006, I earned my Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, after 4 years of dedicated, full-time study in the U.S. and in China. I received my Acupuncture license that same year, and board certification in Acupuncture Orthopedics in 2007. I'm also the owner of East Bay Acupuncture & Natural Medicine, a clinic in Berkeley, CA where I specialize in treating both musculoskeletal complaints and reproductive health. I enjoy integrating all of these approaches to healing into a unified approach, drawing on all systems, whether I am teaching a group yoga class, giving a private yoga lesson, providing an individual constitutional analysis, or giving an acupuncture session. Thanks for your interest!

"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
George Bernard Shaw