My healing journey

I have been practicing yoga for over 20 years, although I did not maintain a regular yoga practice until a failed foot surgery left me immobile in 2017. After suffering an injury to my right foot, I had extensive surgery, which I never recovered from. A year into my recovery journey, I was left with a failed foot surgery (non-union fracture of the first metatarsal) and after seeking second and third opinions from medical professionals, my only option was another surgery to remove the hardware that was holding my bone together, which I refused to have. 

The failed foot surgery left me in immense pain and with extensive nerve damage as well as fused joints in my toes. I could no longer move my toes and no longer had any feeling in my foot, big toe or sole my right foot. I was left immobile, unable to exercise, and I gained weight, not to mention I felt defeated and depressed! Since regular exercise was no longer an option, I decided to start a dedicated yoga practice to begin my own healing journey so I could bring some movement/exercise back to my life. 

In the beginning of my practice, I sought out seated practices such as Yin, Restorative and Yoga Nidra since I could barely stand let alone any balancing asanas (poses). I slowly worked on my endurance and balance which enabled me to try Gentle Yoga and Beginning Yoga classes. Even though there were some asanas that I physically could not perform because of my foot (at that time), I was always present on my mat, and I was dedicated to my practice as it helped bring healing, confidence, mobility, stability and movement back to my life and to my foot.

In 2019 the Yoga Studio I was attending had offered a Reiki Certification Course. I had been interested in learning the ancient healing art of Reiki for over 10 years, I just never had the opportunity until then. I knew this would be a perfect healing modality for me to learn as I could deepen my healing journey even further and I could also help others heal as well. In March 2019, I completed Level I and Level II Reiki attunement/certification and in June of 2019, I became Reiki Level III Certified Reiki Master (Usui method) by Reiki Master Emily Slonina.

In March 2020, to further deepen my healing journey, I attended a course to become a Certified Chakra Energy Healer, since I always had a passion for the energy centers in the body, how they regulate our being and how crystals and essential oils can be used as healing tools. Another healing modality I wanted to add to my practice so I could help others. 

Continuing my healing yoga journey, I was blessed to practice under some amazing teachers who inspired me to try a Yoga Teacher Training Program (YTT) to become a Yoga Teacher or if anything, just to deepen my own yoga practice and healing journey. Although I felt very unsure if I could even complete that type of program (with my foot injury, not to mention at my age), I decided that everything I wanted to achieve was on the other side of fear, so I began my YTT Intensive in February 2020. After five intensive months and 210 hours of YTT (with a specialization in teaching children with special needs), I became a Certified Yoga Instructor and became registered with Yoga Alliance as RYT-200 in August 2020.

Instead of teaching yoga right away, I wanted to continue my education and enrolled in my local Community College in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 studying Introduction to Yoga Therapy and the History and Philosophy of Yoga. I completed 2 semesters with a 4.0 GPA until the program was sadly dissolved. I took a short break from learning and then enrolled in further continuing education courses at another Yoga School and in August 2022, I became Certified to teach Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep). In August 2023, I became certified to teach Chair/Adaptive Yoga for those who cannot practice yoga on the floor/mat because yoga is accessible to every body.

After continuing my education and studying and learning for the last few years, I decided it was time to begin sharing the healing and deeply transformational benefits of Yoga, Reiki and Chakra Healing to humanity because my passion is to help others heal themselves as we all hold the power to do so. 

So that is what has led me here to offer Balanced Soul Yoga and Energy Healing to every Body because Yoga is for every Body, regardless of age, weight, or physical limitations as it offers a healing and transformative journey of the mind, body, spirit and soul. 

I am currently continuing my education to pursue my 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training in order to become RYT-500 certified. I am also currently continuing my education by pursuing certifications in Yin, Restorative, and Yoga for Anxiety as well an Ayurvedic Nutrition Certification.