What Opened Me Up (Physically and Mentally)

It was here in Alaska I that found yoga and meditation (thanks to Rodney Yee and his mountain of available Netflix DVDs). It was a physical struggle to even hold down dog, and I truly sucked at doing any form of asana at first. But I kept at it. I mean really, what else was there to do in the middle of nowhere?

At the same time, I started experimenting with my physical health, changing my diet and daily habits. When you’re living in below-freezing temperatures, with no restaurants and very few distractions, it turns out to be a surprisingly good time to reassess how you’re living.

The Bigger Questions Start to Surface

Eventually, I realized I was profoundly unfulfilled, and I began questioning my life direction and relationship choices. That curiosity led me to explore tools like Tarot, EFT, and other modalities that cracked me open to new ways of healing and seeing the world.

Somewhere along the way, I discovered a level of confidence and capability I didn’t know I had. If I could survive life in a remote Alaskan village, I could survive just about anything… well, maybe not an avalanche or a moose attack.

Coming Home and Not Going Back to “Normal”

When I returned to Florida, one thing was clear: I couldn’t go back to business as usual. If I stayed in my conventional psychotherapy practice, or my marriage, the tension and anxiety I carried would only intensify.

So I did the scary thing. I quit my practice. I packed up only the essentials (hello minimalism). I moved to another city. I amicably parted ways with my ex. It was the beginning of a new chapter - one where fulfillment and authenticity mattered more than living a life that simply looked good on paper.

When Yoga Stopped Working the Way It Was Supposed To

After more than a decade of practicing yoga, and eventually teaching it, I noticed something unsettling. Instead of feeling stronger, I felt weaker. Old injuries flared up. Sciatica pain worsened. Standing too long caused back pain. Long flights were brutal, my left butt cheek would catch fire halfway across the country.

I wanted to chalk it up to age. But deep down, I knew something was off.

The Missing Link: Strength Without Pain

That’s when I stumbled upon yoga combined with Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT). Suddenly, everything clicked. Movement didn’t have to hurt. Strength didn’t have to come at the expense of pain.

I discovered an entirely different, pain-free way of moving and teaching - one that respected how the body is actually designed to function. That discovery continues to shape everything I do today.