Calling all active (older-ish) adults who are using stretching, yoga, or other forms of exercise to try and fix their sciatica, hip, lower back, knee, neck and/or shoulder pain…
yoga & movement for pain-relief
Feel strong, stable, and confident in body and mind.
my classes
(virtual and in-person options)
pain-free YOGA
This is for those who are looking for a full yoga class experience but want to avoid the postures that elicit pain and that weaken muscle systems.
This class includes muscle activation warm-ups, asana, pranayama, mantra/chanting, and meditation for overall healing and wellness. It is where spirituality meets practicality.
Plenty of modifications are provided so this class is friendly to yogis of all levels.
pain-relief MOVE & STRENGTHEN
This is a targeted movement class that might incorporate a few basic yoga poses and some Pilates-ish movements but is designed to activate the major muscles in the body so that all systems are working properly. When your muscles are activating on demand, you feel stronger and more stable in your body which equals less injury and pain.
It is great for those who:
have chronic knee, hip, lower back, sciatica, shoulder and/or neck pain
have a limited range of motion
have had hip/knee replacements/surgeries
hurt for days after a typical yoga or exercise class
want a pain-free experience but don’t love yoga
or just want the targeted movements to strengthen, activate, and tone
We may also utilize mini-balls and resistance bands which allows you to work with your body where it is at.
Nervous System Reset
This is a very slow and intentional micro-movement class designed to stimulate the vagus nerve which is responsible for parasympathetic nervous system activation (rest and digest). It may also include some Tapping (EFT) and meditation.
It is in this state that we can reduce inflammation in the body, relieve structural pain and stress-related aches/tension/headaches, and calm the overactive mind.
This is NOT a yoga or exercise class. For this class you will need to be able to sit on the mat or in a chair, and lay down on your back. Dress warm and comfortably.
My Annapolis home studio is located near Heritage Harbor, in-between where the farmer's market is staged (Riva Road) and Defense Hwy, and easily accessible from Crownsville, Crofton, central Annapolis, Edgewater, and Arnold.
**Please note, I have 3 cats so if you have allergies, choosing the online option might be better for you.
If you are attending in-person, my address and parking instructions will be provided to you via email after booking a class. If you are attending via Zoom, the link will be emailed to you after booking.
my yoga story
(in case you are interested)
My own yoga journey started in a remote Native Yupik Alaskan village (where no tourist or person in their right mind goes) with a few of Rodney Yee DVDs that I could get from Netflix. It was a physical struggle to even hold down dog, and I truly sucked at doing any form of asana at first.
After over a decade of continuing with my yoga practice, and then becoming an instructor, I was completely perplexed because I felt increasingly weaker in my body versus stronger. I was experiencing more sciatica pain than ever before, knee pain from an old injury, and lower back pain when standing for long periods of time. I dreaded getting on a long flight because I knew my left butt cheek would be on fire the whole trip. I certainly wanted to blame it on age, but yoga seemed to be exacerbating my issues rather than relieving them.
After some diligent research, I came across an expert in yoga and muscle activation techniques (MAT) that presented a whole new, pain-free, pain-relieving way of teaching yoga. It was like a lightning bolt went off in my head, and I knew right then and there, that how I practiced and taught yoga would never be the same again. This mentor taught me how muscles actually work, and how stretching actually makes muscle tightness and weakness worse. After just two weeks of practicing in this new way, I was pain free. Sold!!
Additionally, in today's noisy world, we are anxious and stressed to the max. Our bodies even feel it with knots in the stomach, unexplained pain, inflammation, and even disease. We are also so caught up in the ramblings of our mind, which often lead us on an emotional roller coaster or wild goose chase of running after the next best thing - yet never feeling peaceful, fulfilled, or satisfied.
I combine my professional experience as a licensed mental health counselor, yoga teacher, and muscle activation practitioner to support people in their journey to:
=> being pain-free
=> establishing a healthy mindset and daily habits
=> reducing stress and anxiety
=> and cultivating strength, stability, and confidence in body, mind, and spirit.