My Story

I've had the privilege of growing up overseas which allowed me to experience many different cultures, personalities and lifestyles.  I currently live in Northern Virginia and have also lived in Korea, Thailand, Iran, and the Philippines and traveled throughout Asia, Europe and the United States.  As a result of living in and visiting so many different states and countries, I've been fascinated by what leads people to growth and what, in their mind, makes them do what they do.  I believe that every experience I have and every person I encounter has something to teach me. I am a student of life. 

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l began my journey into mindfulness more than 35 years ago as I sought support with stress and depression. I have since become a passionate advocate for mindfulness and yoga as an effective means of improving health and well-being.  Some of my influences in my Mindfulness studies have been Thich Nhat Hanh, Pema Chodron, Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Byron Katie, Eckhart Tolle, Ram Das, Wayne Dyer, The Dalai Lama and the principals of the 12-Steps to name a few. 

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I am a Certified Professional Co-active Coach and received my training from the Coaches Training Institute (CTI). In addition, I completed CTI's Co-Active Leadership year-long Program. I also received training from Arbinger Institute to fulfill my Master Choice Coaches certificate. In 2010, I completed training with the Institute for The Work and am a Certified Facilitator of The Work of Byron Katie.  

As part of my ongoing commitment to mindfulness, I received the Five Buddhist Precepts derived from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.  I graduated from the two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP), which is conducted in partnership with The University of California, Berkeley, and The Awareness Training Institute.​  My training was with world-renowned mindfulness teachers Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach to teach awareness and compassion-based practices. 

These trainings are guidelines to living a mindful and peaceful life.

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I was attracted to the Coaching profession because of its strength-based and forward focused approach and the practice of Mindfulness gave me the peace that I knew in my heart was possible and seemed out of reach.

 

My personal and professional experience includes divorce, parenting, family alcoholism, panic and anxiety disorder, abuse, dissociative disorder, dealing with an “ex,” and the death of my parents.

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My expertise includes tools and techniques that empower clients to discover the answers within, creating clarity and thus taking action to achieve their goals as they evolve and enhance their lives.  I believe that people are naturally creative, resourceful and whole. I appreciate and am honored by the opportunity to guide people to their own innate wisdom.

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I welcome an opportunity to help you identify and refine your goals, develop effective strategies for reaching them, and to inspire you to create your life with passion and excitement.  As your coach/mentor I will help you move beyond self-limiting thoughts and behaviors by asking the hard questions and empowering you to find those answers within yourself.

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My Yoga training is with Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, MA and my advanced level training from Shakti Initiation in Bali, Indonesia. I am registered with the Yoga Alliance and have earned the E- RYT 500, which simply means I have lots of hours of training and teaching.  I am also certified in Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga and Five Elements Yoga. 

My compassionate style encourages and honors the discovery of each person's uniqueness as I guide students into experiences of self-awareness, acceptance and ultimate healing.

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My intention is to create a nurturing and safe environment that will facilitate the unfolding of the mind, body and soul.