In short, I have a Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto and am deeply interested in how mindfulness and bodywork can help individuals, groups, and communities heal. I have a 15 year career developing, evaluating, and implementing community programs and interventions that support the health and wellbeing of those that are vulnerable, from individuals to communities. I bring a lot of my life’s experience to the Create Healing Spaces practice and I am a lifelong yogi, learner, and educator.
My journey with yoga started when I was 18 years old, which was also at the time that I began exploring Buddhist and other Eastern philosophies. I have cherished how yoga has helped me to feel grounded, whole and strong. As a lifelong learner of yoga, I was an energy-exchange student at Kula Annex in my twenties and have been to yoga retreats in both Costa Rica and Thailand. It wasn’t until I came into my late twenties, did I became deeply interested in how yoga can be a tool for emotional and mental wellbeing, and wanted to immerse myself deeper.
Yoga
I obtained my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2014 with Pat Harada and Scott Davis at Octopus Garden Yoga Centre; my favourite West End Yoga studio in Toronto. I went on to do my 40 hour Restorative Yoga Training that same year with Pat and Mathew Reminksi. In 2015, I completed my 20 hour Prenatal Yoga Training with Esther Meyers Yoga Studio. In 2020, during the COVID pandemic, I completed an online Yin Yoga Teacher Training with Kassandra Reinhart, my favourite online youtube teacher, and am very excited to share my learnings with you all.
Reiki
I first had Reiki done on me and I had a profound spiritual experience and I was drawn to it as a greater calling. I completed Reiki level 1, 2 and obtained my Reiki Master Certification with Stephanie Cookson from Transense Healing Arts Studio, and began offering Reiki treatments from my home. I love to combine Yoga with Reiki, through yin and Reiki Restorative yoga classes, and work the Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridien systems through Reiki.
Counselling and Social Work Practice
In my tool box, I have training in a number of different therapeutic counselling approaches, from Expressive Arts therapy, Narrative, Solution-Focused, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive therapy and Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction. I am a volunteer at a walk-in counselling service in Toronto where single-session brief counselling is provided.