Yoga has been in and out of my life since I was a sophmore in high school. It became a regular thing in my life in 2011 after i went through massage school and was looking for something to take care of my body to ensure longevity in the field. my mom had been encouraging me to give yoga another try for years. I finally did and started going twice a week. it helped my anxiety, challenged me, and kept my body in shape for work. After I had my daughter it became the one thing that I did for myself no matter what. For many years to follow, despite loving yoga and the benefits of it, I only ever went twice a week, and never explored it beyond the asanas and never really branched out to any different studios. In 2018 after years of asking myself why i wasn't trying to make yoga a bigger part of my life I finally made the decision to look for other classes in my area. My sister had just moved into a house right behind Wildwood. I took that as a sign and went in to check it out. I found a place with filled with the best energy, a wonderful welcoming community, inspiring instructors with the biggest hearts and smiles and the person responsible for the whole thing, Chelsea. A true diamond in the rough spirit that I was inspired by and in awe of. I knew I wanted this place and those people in my life, but after a few months my schedule and personal life took over and again made no room for more yoga. It still remained a part of life twice a week and I found myself constantly talking about it to people, especially at work. I was always encouraging people to try it and telling them all the benefits and all the things it had done for me. My clients started telling me that I should teach and that they would try yoga if I taught a class. I had a lot of doubts about myself and fear surrounding the idea of teaching but had also started daydreaming about it and routines I would do. I began looking into teacher training programs for the future. Most were far away and I didn’t see it working out anytime soon so I thought I’ll put it off another year. Then I went through a rough year health wise. My eczema, a skin condition, got extreme to the point where all my fingers were splitting open with deep cuts and it was coming up in new places like my armpits, face, and around my eyes. I was in constant discomfort every day feeling itchy and in pain. My anxiety started to go through the roof, my self esteem was plummeting, and depression had set in. I was scrolling through Instagram, which I had just joined a few months prior, as I had always avoided social media, and saw Wildwood’s post about teacher training. I hadn’t been in there in so long, I had no idea they did teacher training. I couldn’t believe it. Not only was this teacher training close to home, but was at a place I loved and taught by Chelsea who I admired so much. Even though I was still scared and had doubts about my ability to teach I couldn’t ignore the divinity of the class popping up in my life when it did. I knew it was for a reason and went for it and signed up. I was desperate to get out of this depression and start feeling better and more like myself again and regain my self esteem. Also i hoped to get over my fear of speaking in public. The training not only brought me out of my depression, empowered me, and helped me gain back some self esteem, it also gave me the tools to add yoga in its true meaning, not just the asanas, into my daily life. It made me dig deep and deal with things I had suppressed for so long. And I was finally practicing more than twice a week and at home which I had never done before. The best thing though that training brought to my life was the people who were in it with me. All so strong, inspiring, and incredible in their own ways. The bond we shared brought a sense of belonging and community that I had never felt before. I couldn’t wait to help ease others pains and anxieties, inspire and empower them, help them find their physical, mental, and spiritual strength and bring a sense of support and community to their lives. The first time I taught, despite being so nervous, it flowed right out of me and i was on this incredible high for days. Each time was better than the last. Then when i thought it couldnt get any better Chelsea asked me to teach a regular class at Wildwood. Being a part of that amazing tribe is such an honor and getting to spread love through yoga is absolute gift. My yoga journey has taught me that everything happens when it should, but also to never allow fear and self doubt to hold you back from what you truly want. We all have boundless powers within us waiting to be awakened. I am so grateful for what it has brought to my life. When yoga finds you I hope I get the honor of sharing in your journey with you. Namaste