I have been involved in yoga since I was in my teens. I was attracted to the philosophy and practices that yoga and meditation have to offer and this profound connection led me to study several methods and approaches to consciousness. Over the years I have studied with many teachers in the U.S. Canada and India.

I met a Shaman Healer and Yoga Teacher named Fatha Taylor. Much later we both moved to Nanaimo, which gave me the opportunity to further learn and integrate his teachings in the process that has become my spiritual journey. I continue to be grateful for his consistency and friendship.

I completed the Self Realization Fellowship Lessons of Paramahansa Yogananda and have also been influenced by Iyengar Yoga and practiced it during the 80's and 90's. This eventually led to the practice of Ashtanga Yoga of Pattabi Jois. I did the teacher training and continued to be mentored by various well known teachers. I completed the Yoga Therapist Training Program with Integrative Yoga Therapy and have been a certified Yoga Therapist since 1997. I began teaching in 1997.

In 2002 I came in contact with the Integral Yoga of Swami Satyananda. He is a close disciple of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, India. I was initiated into this tradition by Swami Niranjananda Saraswat of the Bihar School of Yoga and successor to Swami Satyananda. I contimue to be a student of Satyananda Yoga, Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy.

I am the founder of Island Yoga Vista and specialize in Individual Yoga Therapy sessions with a focus on Ayurveda, as well as offering day and evening yoga classes. This studio has existed and evolved in four locations in Nanaimo since 1997. I am thankful for the help I have received from several dedicated teachers. Their contribution has helped to keep Island Yoga Vista thriving and serving our community. I am especially grateful to the hundreds of people who have allowed us to share this transformative practice with them over the last 12 years.

Yoga Education

This summary represents highlights and teacher training certificates. There have been many workshops and wonderful teachers along the way.

2008 Ayurvedic Training Chakrapani Ayurvedic Clinic and Research Center - Jaipur, India. Dr. Rajesh Kotecha, Dr. Neha Dave

2007 Personal Sadhana Training, Satyananda Yoga India

2007 Initiated as Jignasu Sanyasan by Swami Niranjananda Saraswati, Bihar School of Yoga, India

2007 Ayurvedic Studies, Ayurvedic Institute - Albuquerque NM. Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Robert Svoboda

2006 Satyananda Yoga Inservice Training with Swami Vedanta Saraswati

2006 Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher 500hour

2006 Satyananda Yoga Atma Center ys1

2005 Radiant Health Yoga Teacher Training- Joanna Cashman Wild Grace Arts, Olympia

2004 Yoga Therapy Teacher Training- Kashi Salt Spring Center

2004 Yoga of Sound Teacher Training - Bhavani Salt Spring Center

2003 Yoga for Kids Teacher Training - Maalaa - Tree of Yoga

2002 Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training Jenine Parvati Baker

2002 Sadhana Retreat Swami Muktidharma Rikhia India

2002 Ayurvedic Panchakarma Training with Jaishri Salt Spring Center

2002 Initiated into Mantra Diksha by Swami Niranjananda Saraswati, Bihar School of Yoga, India. Given the spiritual name Sagarmurti which means 'vast ocean of expanded consciousness'

2001 Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training (have studied with Nancy Gilgoff, Beryl Bender birch, Tim Miller and David Swenson)

1998 Yoga Allliance Registered Yoga Teacher 200hour

1997 Integrative Yoga Therapy Certified Yoga Therapist

1990's Self Realization Fellowship Lessons Paramahansa Yogananda

1980's to present Training with Fatha Taylor

Other Education

2007 St. Johns Ambulance First Aid

2005 Hospice Training Nanaimo

1980-83 Ontario College of Art - General Studies part time

1978 Victoria College of Art - Fine Art

1975 Ryerson Polytechnical Institute - Graphic Design