About – geM Yoga and Meditation

Past

Growing up the youngest of five on a small dairy farm in Sturgeon Bay, I learned at a very young age the meaning of working hard. I began practicing yoga as a freshman at Marquette University at a time when I needed stress and anxiety relief. I studied Iyengar yoga at Milwaukee Yoga Center. I practiced Vinyasa yoga for ten years. After fifteen years of study and practice, I was certified by Breathe for Change. As an educator with a master’s degree, having taught elementary and middle school and now adults, I found that infusing yoga and mindfulness into the classroom was an effective way to help students learn. The social emotional strategies I learned have helped me lead the Hilbert School District staff in a staff development and four years of weekly yoga and mindfulness classes. As a communications instructor at Lakeshore Technical College, I infuse short meditations, breathwork, visualizations and positivity into my adult ed lessons to promote healthier attitudes and a heightened learning environment.

Present

My husband and I have homeschooled our children since their birth. They are now independent high schoolers who take responsibility for their education. As a family, we enjoy gardening, canning, hiking, camping, reading, writing, making music and doing yoga. In the last year I have been deep in study mode myself. I am a Master SOMA breath instructor working my way to becoming a transformational coach, so I can work with clients individually to help them live an empowered, healthy life. I also just reached Master Reiki practitioner. Both of these achievements have added to my own personal growth and healing. I enjoy sharing what I learn so that others can feel the benefits of breath and energy work. Continuing to learn new ways of developing and healing my body, mind and spirit, has made me an even better yoga teacher. The physical asana practice is great for many reasons, but harnessing the power of my breath and evolving with energy work has been a profound game changer in my every day life.

Future

There are so many hopes and dreams for the future. One big dream is to have my own space to offer group yoga classes, SOMA breath sessions, and special seasonal ceremonies, but also to offer one on one coaching and reiki healing sessions. There are so many things that I am interested in learning more about. I will continue to learn and teach as long as that is the path I am meant to be on. I wish to be an open, clear channel for the Spirit to work through. All I know for sure is this moment- and now this moment- and now this one.