Yoga and meditation have been a part of my life since I was a little girl. I was born in Trinidad and Tobago and as children, we were always visiting Indian temples. This is where I first saw a group of older people (much like you would see tai chi groups in Asia) gently stretching in a group class.

I learned poses off and on for many years, but when you’re young you don’t really appreciate the need to meditate or gently stretch all the muscles in your body. My sister and I quietly giggled through a session, much to the teacher’s dismay. (I think it was Pavana Muktasana or the Wind Relieving pose that started it.)

Well as time went on my family moved to Canada. I went to school, university and work and focused more on martial arts instead.

During my martial arts training, I injured my knee (I tore my ACL) and had to get surgery as well as rehabilitated. I felt that I would never be able to bend my knees properly ever again! Yoga helped me through that dark time.

Then, a crazy thing happened to me. I moved to New Zealand. I met the man of my dreams and within a year I was halfway around the world. Moving countries is exciting but can take a toll on you.

I started meditating because I felt very lost. I had to get my qualifications assessed to see if it complied with New Zealand standards (I’m a primary school teacher), and was at a job that I didn’t like. I had also moved from a large city to a small town. I took the ten-day Vipassana Course in Kaukapakapa to get some perspective on my life.

I learned a lot about meditation, but I found it difficult to do it in day-to-day life. I now meditate by listening to some meditation music to get me to relax and then silent meditation.

Then the unthinkable happened. I was diagnosed with infertility. At the moment the causes are unknown. After much research, I found that a daily yoga practice could help me. At first I started Iyengar classes, and it was very informative, but I’m a bit of an introvert so I currently practice at home.

What about you? What has made you curious? Just click the small images to the left. I would love to hear from you!

I figure you may want to know more about my qualifications, teaching/coaching style and other interests. Since starting this website in September, 2010, I have written two books Your Peace Diet: Using Yoga Principles to Reduce Stress and Anxiety and Jungle Walk: A Yoga Story for Kids. I was also the host of Bliss REFRESH: Your Solution to Reduce Stress and Boost Vitality as well as a free monthly webinar facilitator.
Qualifications:

• Meditation and Gentle Yoga Teacher Certification
• Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Indian Music (Vocal)
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology
• Masters of Science in Education
• Second Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo

I have worked as a graphic designer, geneology researcher, freelance writer and illustrator, primary school teacher and entrepreneur.

Interests:

• I love Arts, Museum and Culture and listening to live orchestra
• I’m a voracious reader
• I’ve been illustrating and drawing since I was a child. My paintings were accepted in two Juried Art Shows in Toronto and I’ve donated and sold paintings for the Sunnybrook Women’s Hospital.
• I loved Star Trek:the Next Generation, Battle Star Galactica, Star Wars and Astronomy and wanted to become an astronaut when I was 10
• I’m very keen on sustainable living, environmental issues and natural cosmetics
• I am interested in all forms of Martial Arts
• I’m a pescatarian (eat fish and eggs, but otherwise vegetarian)
• I love to travel

Causes:

• I’m a big fan of Kiva as I believe that it’s best to help people to help themselves
• Shelters for Battered Women and Children
• World Wildlife Foundation

Teaching/Coaching Style:
I believe in empowering you and giving you real, practical tools to help improve your life. I also believe that you have everything you need inside you right now to succeed.

Okay that’s enough about me, tell me a little bit about you.