
Yoga has been part of my life and my lineage since before I can remember. I am of North Indian heritage, where yoga is known to have originated. My grandmother and mother first introduced me to yoga as a child, and I grew up going to classes in a temple and community center. I am a highly trained alignment-based hatha yoga teacher with specializations in trauma-sensitive teaching (with a focus on mental wellness) and a particular interest in yin, gentle flow and restorative. My approach to yoga is heart-centered, alignment focused, and to promote safety in the body to explore new avenues of awareness. I have been practising yoga for over 20 years and teaching in a variety of settings since 2012.
I teach private and semi-private classes, corporate classes, online and in-person workshops and classes, and cultural awareness training for yoga teachers.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Internationally recognized, broad spectrum experience and training
Highlights of Qualifications:
200 hour yoga alliance certified alignment based Hatha Yoga teacher training (Dan Clement Vancouver School of Healing Arts 2012)
B.A. in Cultural Studies, Minor in Gender and Women's Studies (UBC, 2016)
Trauma Sensitive Yoga teacher training (Yoga Outreach 2013)
Prenatal and Postnatal/Mom & Baby yoga teacher training (MOGA and Lori Lucas, 2018-2020)
Conducted original research on yoga and embodied pedagogy at UBC and presented at the UBC Conference for Teaching and Learning (2015-2016)
http://embodiedpedagogies.wordpress.com
Fully trained youth empowerment facilitator for 3 years, working in violence prevention and consent training through Safeteen: Powerful Alternatives to Violence, reaching over 1000 young people (2017-2019)
Continuum Doula Certified (2022, UK)
Yoga teacher for Bodwell High School's summer program
Wellness Facilitator and Yoga teacher for Crofton House School's outdoor program at Camp Fircom
CPD hours and attendee to Instill Teen Yoga Conference 2017 (Teen Yoga Foundation, London England, 2017)
Workshop facilitator and retreat organizer for wellness, yoga, and mindfulness for students in the United World College movement (Canada and Norway 2017-2018), key member of Health and Wellness Task Force for the UWC Canadian National Committee (2018)
Designated yoga teacher at the Element Music Festival, Princeton BC (2018)
Yoga teacher and women’s circle facilitator in Bristol, United Kingdom at Temple Yoga (2017-2018)
Women’s circle leader in various contexts internationally since 2016
Corporate yoga teacher since 2012, serving a wide variety of industries
Faculty at Vancouver School of Healing Arts for 240 Yoga Teacher Training and 300 hour Yoga Therapy training for cultural awareness, decolonizing and justice in yoga spaces
Diversity and Equity Consultant for Rhodes Wellness College
Cultural Consultant for the First Nations Women's Yoga Initiative led by Yoga Outreach and Cedar & Gold
Guest speaker for Yoga for Humankind on Cultural Appropriation and Appreciation for Yoga & Social Justice
Contributor for Dr. Virginie Magnat's Creativity, Culture, and Wellness Research Cluster at UBC designed and created a retreat for teens from Pearson College UWC (2019)
Yoga Teacher & Workshop Facilitator for Bass Coast Festival (Merritt, BC 2022)
Yoga Teacher for Spirit Weavers gathering (California, 2022)
Faculty and Guest Instructor for 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training The Lab in Victoria, BC (2022)
Healing with Resonant Attention Online Training with Stella Osorojos (2022)
Workshop Co-Facilitator “Pranayama and Herbs: Skills for Healing the Heart” at TEA (Tea, The Eternal Art) in San Diego
Panel speaker for Film Screening “Braiding Knowledge” documentary by Jessica Barudin about her doctoral work on the First Nations Women’s Yoga Initiative (2023)
Speaker for The Centre of Love (Victoria, BC) on the Power of Forgiveness and Ancestral Healing (2023)
Speaker for Fraser Valley Correctional Institute about yoga and grounding techniques for incarcerated residents (2023)
Speaker for Care Not Cops Conference (Defund 604) about removing police from health care settings (2023)
Presenter for Soulplay Festival 2024 (Honouring the Roots of Yoga, Yoga for Activating Intuition)
Why you should work with me:
-I believe in practical, evidence-based, effective holistic solutions that provide clearly positive results
- As a South Asian woman living in North America who was raised with yoga through my family, I am deeply connected to my ancestry and passionate about sharing cultural & spiritual education
- My formal university education and work experience centers around Cultural Studies and Gender Studies. I deeply understand race, class, ethnicity, diversity, cross-cultural communication and cross-cultural gender and LGBTQ+ related topics, social justice, understanding trauma, privilege, youth empowerment, violence prevention, and conflict resolution
- I take a creative mind/body/heart perspective to solving problems, I am passionate about deeply understanding your unique challenges and unlocking the wisdom and skills to move through with ease and grace
- I bring a unique and refreshing approach combining inner and interpersonal approaches to well-being
- I focus on social-emotional well-being and bring a valuable intercultural, global perspective
