Since childhood, I have pursued the growth and development of both my mind and body in what started with a deep interest in the martial arts. Early on I gained a second degree black belt in Taekwondo (ATA/Taekwondo America Association) having trained diligently for 4 years, and experienced teaching for nearly a year. I trained Capoeira for 3.5 years having taught for 1.5 years with the Canto do Galo group in Boulder/Denver, Colorado, of the American Capoeira Association. My interest in developing my mind and body has since broadened to include yoga, meditation, and healing. I began my study of various forms of yoga in 1998, and am currently focused on the Ashtanga Yoga tradition in its original 8-limbed form, in the lineage and teachings of Patanjali. I received my teacher's training certificate in the summer of 2006, from Yoga Point's Yoga Vidya Dham Ashram in Nasik, India. My practice of yoga revealed a greater interest in the healing arts, and I began reiki training in 2001 in Fort Collins, Colorado, under the lineage of Mikao Usui. I completed my Level 3 Reiki Master training in August of 2006 in Portugal.

The approach I take to my practice is an expression of my commitment to my approach to life. I believe this human experience is only fully and truly embraced when from both the personal and transpersonal perspectives. Beginning with awareness of one’s self and the pursuit of self-discovery we are brought to the realization of our greatness and empowered with the tools and wisdoms for aiding in the evolution of the collective in reclaiming our spirit. Through a balance of personal practice and the promotion of knowledge sharing, we can amplify our abilities to heal ourselves, each other, and the world around us. Our collective efforts are what will ultimately propel the development of elevated levels of human communication and awareness, allowing us to transcend and liberate from that which illudes and separates us.

Yoga and Meditation

I currently teach weekly yoga classes at Studio Soma in Denver, Colorado. The classes focus on the 8 limbs of a yogic lifestyle including asanas, pranayama, meditation, cleansing, and more. I also teach Yoga Nidra classes at Vital Yoga in Cherry Creek, Denver, Colorado. I will also soon be teaching Yoga Nidra classes at Vital Yoga in the Highlands, Denver, Colorado. Stay tuned for the new schedule. Current information, schedule, and descriptions are as follows:

Tuesday - 12:15-1:15pm - Hatha Yoga (Studio Soma)
Wednesday - 6:45-8:15pm - Transcendental Yoga (Studio Soma)
Thursday - 12:15-1:15pm - Hatha Yoga (Studio Soma)
Thursday - 7:30-8:30pm - Yoga Nidra (Vital Yoga-Cherry Creek)
Friday - 4:30-5:30pm - Meditation (Studio Soma)
Saturday - 10:15-11:45am - Asana focused vinyasa-flow style (Studio Soma)

Studio Soma
2540 West 29th Ave
Denver, CO 80211
303-477-5531

Vital Yoga (Cherry Creek)
2727 E 2nd Ave.
Denver, CO 80206
303-316-8265

Vital Yoga (Highlands)
4342 Tennyson
Denver, CO 80212
303-477-8545

(Class Descriptions)

Hatha Yoga - The classical approach to yoga holds asana (postures) as one of the 8-limbs of a comprehensive yoga practice and foundational for the exploration of yoga’s greater depths. In this class we study asana, breath, and a bit of meditation aimed at improving flexibility, balance, vitality, and clarity extending from the physical body through the mental. The postures range from stationary to more of a vinyasa-flow style and are suitable for all levels of practitioner. Explore your body as a sacred vehicle by inviting a deeper relationship with yourself and improved, overall well-being.

Transcendental Yoga - Based on Traditional Ashtanga Yoga as outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, we explore the 8-limbs (eight disciplines) of a holistic yogic practice including asana, pranayama, meditation, and purification-cleansing. The emphasis is on the transcendental character of yoga as a path toward self-realization instilling balance and clarity in all aspects of our lives, beyond just the realm of physical movement. Here asanas are seen as a gateway to access the greater Self through the body, and the 8-limbs are used as successive steps toward a more compassionate, fulfilling, and empowered existence

Meditation - Exploring a deeper, more internalized “yogic” practice, we will focus on the importance of a clear and present mind achieved through various meditation techniques. The later 4 limbs of Raja Yoga will be the focus and will also include mantra and pranayama. Some meditations will be guided and include the practice of Yoga Nidra, and others will offer take-home techniques for a more effective personal practice. These techniques, effective for releasing old and unwanted patterns, will help you realize your greater potential by empowering you in the now and deepening your state of presence. Invite a smooth, rejuvenating transition as you release the stresses of the work week and welcome in the possibility of the weekend.

Yoga Nidra - Yoga Nidra is the traditional tantric practice of deep, conscious relaxation that was adapted by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. It is a meditation technique used for effectively imprinting new patterns on the mind and body, harmonizing the deeper unconscious states of the mind and awakening one’s inner potential. Through the practice of Yoga Nidra, we can induce a state of complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. This takes the mind into a hypnogogic state, the threshold state between sleep and wakefulness, where contact with the subconscious and unconscious dimensions occur spontaneously. This occurs by turning away from outer experiences, then shifting the consciousness to function at a deeper level of inner awareness. Through this practice of pratyahara—withdrawal of sense organs—the mind becomes one-pointed by concentrating on the auditory channel through a sequence of a guided meditation. Here, the focus in on the receptivity of consciousness which becomes very powerful and can be applied in many ways making impressions on the mind and body much greater and more powerful.

Boom Festival - August 6th, 2006, Idanha-a-Nova Portugal

I hosted a yoga workshop at the BOOM Festival in Portugal following my 3 month sabbatical/training in India. Below is the program posting of what was covered in the workshop:

"Choosing Bliss - Yoga and Awareness" A look at the ever-present opportunity for consciously choosing a life of happiness. We will focus on the importance of a clear and present mind and address our tendency for habitually choosing complications and discomfort unallowing us to maintain a balanced mind and body. Emphasis will be on the importance of applying these conscious states throughout our daily life by using practical techniques based on the 8-limb Ashtanga Yoga tradition including: meditation, diet, cleansing, and asanas (including a "moon salutation" in celebration of the full moon that week). Through the continued practice of conscious choice and action, we can begin to understand how much control we have over a life potentially filled with unlimited bliss.

The workshop was located in the Liminal Village at the festival. See www.boomfestival.org for full details.

For those who attended the workshop and are seeking further information on the master cleansing process that was covered, follow the link. For further questions or information contact: solomoon@metameme.org

Dreamtime Festival - July 22nd, 2007, Paonia Colorado

I hosted a yoga and guided meditation workshop at the Dreamtime Festival in Paonia, southwest Colorado entitled "Choosing Bliss: Meditation & Awareness." Below is the program posting for the workshop:

We will address how to obtain a clear and present mind through the continued practice of conscious choice and action. We can begin to understand how much control we have over a life potentially filled with unlimited bliss.

Gaian Mind Festival - June 18th-22nd, 2008, Artemas Pennsylvania

I hosted a yoga and guided meditation workshop at the Gaian Mind Festival in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania entitled "Awakening to Bliss." Below is the program posting for the workshop:

Shift your reality from perpetual suffering to unlimited bliss by understanding the illusions of the mind in order to release resistance to what is and step into a peaceful allowance of what can be.

Boom Festival - August 11-18th, 2008, Idanha-a-Nova Portugal

I was honored to host 2 workshops at the 2008 Boom Festival. Below is the program posting of what was covered in the workshops:

"Awakening to Bliss: From Witness to Limitless" Shift your reality from perpetual suffering to unlimited bliss by understanding the illusions of the mind in order to release resistance to what is and step into a peaceful allowance of what can be. Changing your perception about the world around you begins with shifting your ideas about yourself and yourself in relation to the world around you. This process starts by developing a clear and present mind through the continued practice of conscious choice and action. This program will discuss the deceptive nature of the mind and include a guided meditation sharing simple techniques to elevate self-awareness. By witnessing the disserving thought patterns that rest at the root of our conditioning we can transform the way we live through the choices we make, in turn strengthening our ability to create transformation in the world around us. Through the process of developing greater awareness, we can begin to understand how much control we have over a life potentially filled with unlimited bliss.

This workshop was located in the Liminal Village at the festival. See www.boomfestival.org for full details.

To download a copy of the outline for this workshop, please click the Outline link.

"Psychic Sleep and the Mind’s Potential " Learn to use the power of deep, conscious relaxation as a meditative technique for effectively imprinting new patterns on the mind and body, harmonizing the deeper unconscious states of the mind, and awakening your inner potential. Through the practice of Yoga Nidra, we can induce a state of complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. This takes the mind into a hypnogogic state, the threshold state between sleep and wakefulness, where contact with the subconscious and unconscious dimensions occur spontaneously. This occurs by turning away from outer experiences, then shifting the consciousness to function at a deeper level of inner awareness. Through this practice of pratyahara—withdrawal of sense organs—the consciousness becomes very powerful and can be applied in many ways making impressions on the mind and body much greater and more powerful. This program will illustrate techniques for achieving this state both through a guided meditation and the use of ambient music.

This workshop was located in the Divine Flower Healing Area at the festival. See www.boomfestival.org for full details.

For more information on Yoga Nidra, see the text Yoga Nidra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, published by the Bihar School of Yoga, India.

Studio Soma - October 4th, 2008, Denver Colorado

Choosing Bliss