Yoga Bum of St. Augustine

My happy place. Come join us.

MWF ~ 8:30, Ashtanga Vinyasa
Mon thru Fri - 6 til 8:30, Open Self Practice

All levels are welcome. I encourage my students to practice with mindfulness. I want my students to see progress and learn postures that may seem unattainable. But even more importantly, I want their practice to be sustainable. I want to continue practicing for many years to come. And perhaps most importantly, I want to feel good off the mat.

Message me with any questions.

It’s on. Come practice at my home studio. FREE in September.

M W F: 8:30, Ashtanga Vinyasa

M - F: 6 - 8:30, Open Self Practice

All levels welcome. We all started as beginners. Message me with any questions.

The Primary Series builds the foundation. After that anything is possible. Socks help too.

Practice with me Wednesday.

12:30 - Full Primary
5:30 - Playful Vinyasa

Keeping my heart open whatever the cost.

Backbends come in many forms, and they are my greatest obstacle and my greatest teacher in my yoga practice. They can cause intense discomfort, but at the same time they can make me feel more alert, more present, than anything else I practice.

There is no doubt that backbends have been good for my body. A flexible mobile spine is essential for physical health. But I probably practice more backbends, and practice them deeper than what is necessary or even optimal for my body.

Backbends have been more important for my mental health. They tap into an anxiety that resides deep inside. I usually take my time coming into these poses feeling the whole front side of my body stretching, the inside of my body lifting, and the backside of my body bending. Once in the pose, my breath, something that is supposed to be so natural, so automatic, often feels trapped. Learning to breathe deeply into these blockages helps to soften past traumas as well as preparing me for whatever the future has to offer. Staying in these poses, in places of discomfort, reminds me that everything is temporary, and eventually, everything is going to be ok.

Rainy day practice with David Swenson. This class had asanas from first, second, and third series. Some of the poses I had never attempted. But also new insight into poses I’ve done hundreds of times. I am always a student.

Mondays I get to share what I learn through practice. Join me at The Yoga Collective.

Full Primary at 12:30.

35 to 55 - For me, Ashtanga yoga has made all the difference. It all started with the Primary series. I am so happy to be teaching it 12:30 every Monday at the Yoga Collective.

I am always hesitant to make posts like this. I am still uncomfortable even looking at pictures from when I was heavier. I know my reasons for practice shouldn’t be about how it makes me look, but it undeniably is. It is not the only reason, but it is one of the most motivating ones.

The thing is though, just practicing yoga didn’t change my body on the outside. It changed me from the inside out. I talk a lot about how it has made me stronger and calmer and given me more self control. But on a purely physical level, my practice became so important to me, I wanted to feel better for my practice. I began to make healthier choices about what I put in my body. I began to make sleep a priority. I desired to feel my best when I stepped on my mat each morning, and my practice in turn gave me the strength to choose better.

I would never say that Ashtanga is the only style of yoga that can help you get healthier. I wouldn’t even say you have to practice yoga. Ashtanga is what just finally clicked for me.

I didn’t find it until I was 41. Before that, nothing else was really working for me. Maybe I just found it at the right time when I was finally ready to make changes. I don’t know. I just know it has helped me in so many ways. Not just what is visible on the outside. And I can’t deny that what it does for me on a purely physical level is a big part of what motivates me to get on my mat each morning.