From Pain to Purpose
My Story...
My story begins at 14, when I was diagnosed with scoliosis. I was told surgery was my only option, but something in me knew there had to be another way. I instinctively turned to movement, immersing myself in yoga and Pilates to strengthen and support my spine. Through consistent, intentional practice, I was able to avoid surgery—and that experience planted the seed for a lifelong exploration of the body’s capacity to heal through movement.
That exploration deepened as I studied yoga therapy and became certified in Anusara Yoga in 2004. Around that same time, I spent four formative years traveling and living in India, where I immersed myself in dance and yoga, learning from master teachers and experiencing movement as a holistic, embodied practice. Those years shaped not only how I move, but how I understand the body as an intelligent, adaptive system.
In 2014, my path took a dramatic turn when I developed a rare and misunderstood nerve condition—brachioradial pruritus. What began as severe nerve pain and relentless itching progressed into years of insomnia and nervous system distress, ultimately forcing me to pause my professional dance career. Despite seeing countless practitioners, I went years without a diagnosis. It wasn’t until I found an online community of others experiencing the same symptoms that I finally understood what was happening in my body.
Determined to heal, I explored everything from specialized diets to meditation, and nervous-system-based practices. Over time, I developed a holistic, neuroscience-informed approach that allowed my nervous system to settle, my symptoms to resolve, and my life to open back up. I returned to dance—one of my greatest joys—and remain symptom-free today. I’m currently writing a book about brachioradial pruritus slated for publication in summer 2026.
My healing journey continued to challenge me in new ways, I also navigated mold illness—another chapter that pushed me to look beyond conventional solutions. Through brain retraining practices that incorporated neuroplasticity, visualization, affirmations, and somatic awareness, I was able to restore a sense of safety in my body and fully recover. These tools are now a foundational part of the work I share with clients.
Today, my work is informed by over 20 years of experience as a Pilates instructor, yoga teacher, and massage therapist, with advanced training in orthopedic manual therapy through the Hendrickson Method and certification in craniosacral therapy. More importantly, it’s informed by lived experience and what I've learned from my clients.
I don’t just teach movement, I’ve relied on it to rebuild my life again and again. I know what it’s like to feel overlooked by the medical system, trapped in pain, or disconnected from your body. My passion is helping others find clarity, confidence, and relief through a thoughtful blend of therapeutic exercise, nervous-system support, mindset work and nutrition so they can move better, feel better, and return to the activities that make life feel vibrant and meaningful.