I began teaching fitness in Portland OR about 7 years ago after falling in love with movement, personally. My purpose and my passion were born out of my struggles with mental health (anxiety!) in my 20’s. Movement classes, quieted my mind and made me feel strong. I signed up for my first teacher training to learn more but quickly fell in love with teaching. I am certified in Power Vinyasa Yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Personal Training and Holistic Health Coaching.
My philosophy started with the use of intensity to build tenacity, strength and clarity. However, over the years I have shifted in my approach. My classes are still intense but focus functional movements, intelligent sequencing with just the right amount of creativity and intensity. The idea is to build muscle memory and strength with some level of predictability from class to class, sprinkling in the right amount of challenge and novelty to keep the body and mind working. It should be fun, feel good and be challenging but not brutal.
Teaching has given me a wide array of experience. I have worked with a diverse clientele: from beginners to athletes, as an instructor in Portland. I had the opportunity to teach internationally; teaching and co-hosting for a luxury women's retreat on an island in Scandinavia that attracted much publicity. I was featured by ClassPass as Best Instructor in Portland 2017. My online classes have been featured on the Barre3 online platform.
My livestream classes were born out of necessity between the pandemic, moving from Portland and my back injury in 2019. I’m excited to continue offering my classes online. For years I dreamed of leaving the full-time studio scene, teaching for myself and providing classes that were available to more people. The events of the past year have brought me back to my original purpose in teaching- which is more focused in mental health. I miss seeing students daily, IRL, however, I love the accessibility and convenience online fitness can offer. I hope to give my clients a lift in their energy, and a feeling of strength and peace in their body. I think at home fitness can encourage more independence to listen to yourself and truly take what you need from class.
On more personal notes: I am originally from the Midwest and will always be a Wisconsin girl at heart. I now live in the Columbia River Gorge in White Salmon, Washington with my fiancé, Patrick and our dog Otis. Chiquita is with us in spirit (if you know, you know). I am a sucker for 4 leggeds, the perfect playlist, and snack time.