As an advocate, student and teacher of the mind-body connection, I believe connecting to the body leads us to a full and nourished life, which is why I created FLOW Training.  While teaching fitness and working professionally in broadcast and print media during and after college, I discovered my passion to combine my communications skills, love for music and movement, and desire to help others thrive in their own skin. 

With the pressure to be and look “perfect” at every age, as well as rigid and confusing cultural standards of eating and exercising, the vanity factor thinly ices the cake and if focused on too much can lead to unhealthy patterns and obsessions. Additionally, even if one is not "weight"-focused, it can be a challenge to move, to form healthy fitness habits, and to connect with the body, especially if past experiences -- trauma or simple lack of coordination or desire -- made it hard or nearly impossible to do so.  Therefore, I believe that once we steer clear of perfection or the "shoulds" and aim toward listening to our bodies, we tap into a truly fulfilling physical, mental, and spiritual sense of self. 

I personally discovered the beauty of this body/mind/spirit connection several years ago when I began practicing dance therapy.  I finally got it -- the magic was never outside myself based on a weight or "look", etc.  I finally got the fact that my truth, my essence, my sense of empowerment lies within me, and every time I connect my earthly body to my essence, typically through some beautiful form of movement meditation, I feel connected, at ease, at peace. 

Before my journey of dance therapy, I was a dancer as a child and a 90s "Stepper" in the aerobics world.  I loved step aerobics and still do as it provides me a form of dance.  I began teaching classes in 1999 at the YMCA in Simpsonville, South Carolina.  Then, I moved to Columbia, South Carolina, to study journalism.  Since the famous video-producing studio The FIRM was less than a mile from my dorm, I trained to teach their still popular method of Aerobic Weight Training.  When I moved to Atlanta, I continued teaching, started personal training, and took an array of movement workshops and yoga classes.  I completed my 200-hour yoga training through the Yoga Alliance at Kashi Atlanta in 2010.

My experience as a dancer, "Stepper", and yogini has lent my daily work a wide range of creativity as a personal trainer.  I love learning about the mind/body/spirit connection and will always consider myself a student first, then a teacher.  With ongoing study of the mind-body connection with established mentors and advisors in addition to my daily personal training and teaching, I look forward to helping many more find freedom, peace and joy within their bodies and spirits.

Education/Experience
University of South Carolina, B.A. - Journalism & Mass Communications, Broadcast Journalism/Theatre Speech and Women's Studies (May 2002)
Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance, 200 hrs (July 2010 - present)

AFAA Group Fitness Instructor (April 1999 – present)

AFAA Personal Fitness Trainer (June 2006 – present)

American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR (March 2008 – present)

Mat Pilates Certificate with June Kahn (June 2007)
Communications Skills Training, The Link Counseling Center (October 2006)

Group Fitness Instructor Training, The FIRM® (June 2001)

Community Outreach

EDIN Volunteer (Eating Disorders Information Network; October 2003 – present)

EDIN Speakers Bureau (July 2008 - present)
EDIN Professional Resource Network Member  (July 2008 - present)
Visit EDIN: www.myedin.org