Meet Colleen

I have been practicing yoga for almost 20 years and love the self awareness and healing that yoga has helped me find. Even something as simple as the breath can change my mood. I have lived with depression, anxiety, and feelings of not being "good enough" for a large portion of my life. As a trauma survivor, I experienced shame around the abuse, until I developed the tools and resilience to learn that I had nothing to be ashamed of. The healing process has been downright painful but so worth it! I share my stories as part of my healing but also in solidarity with others who may be experiencing similar things. I'm blessed to be on this path and so grateful to be able to share emotional healing through yoga, with others.
 

I believe that Yoga is much more than the physical (asana) practice and hope that students leave my classes feeling balanced. Because I know how hard it can be to relax the physical body when your mind is chattering or your breath is shallow, I weave pranayama/ breath awareness into my classes. I like to meet the student where they are that day. 

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I incorporate Chinese Medicine and seasonal awareness into all my classes. I enjoy being playful and challenging, while also bringing individual alignment awareness to my classes. I encourage you to come join me outside your comfort zone and find acceptance of yourself in your practice.

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My classes are fun and accessible. I take a functional movement approach, using action cues to guide students to a deeper awareness of their bodies. I offer mindful movement for a sustainable practice. (Think- how should this shape feel, what is the purpose of this movement versus this shape should look a certain way.) I enjoy bringing in a balance of stability, mobility & strength to create openness and balance.

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You will hear a lot of encouragement to listen to your body and breath; to work with where you are in that moment. Plus there are always variations (find the one that works best for you!) Each class starts with centering, breath awareness, & meditation, as a foundation for the rest of your practice.

In my spare time, I love snuggling with my cat, Galadriel. I enjoy reading and spending time in nature.  
 

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TRAININGS

200 Hour Certification with Kathleen Hunt at Samadhi Yoga, Seattle, WA, March 2013

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500 Hour Self Study Certification with Twist Yoga, Edmonds, WA, October 2019

Yin Yoga with Janell Hartman- 20 hours- February 2016

Ayurveda on Your Mat with Kate Towell- 20 hours- January 2018

Myofascial Release for Yoga and Wellness- 10 hours- March 2017

Yoga Nidra- 15 hours- March 2019

Prenatal Modifications- 15 hours- December 2018

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Yoga for Emotional Wellness with Christy Fisher & Laura Yon/ Phinney Ridge Yoga, Seattle- 35 hours- March/ April 2018

Common Injury training with Jason Crandell- 21 hours- November 2018

Find Your Cener- Teacher Renewal with Jason Crandell- 20 hours- May 2017

Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) with Morgan Vanderpool-  Tacoma, WA, 16 hours- January 2018

3 Wisdom Traditions (Yoga, Ayurveda & Psychology) online with Kathryn Templeton- 12 hours- February 2018

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500 Hour Yoga Medicine Therapeutic Specialist certification with Tiffany Cruikshank (in progress)

Chinese Medicine & Yoga- 26 hours- July 2018

Mental Health & Wellness- 60 hours- August 2019

Women's Health and Wellness- 24 hours- November 2020

Spine Anatomy- 24 hours- February 2020

Yoga Anatomy Training online Immersion- Yoga Intl- 20 hours

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Yin Yoga, Fascia, and Mindfulness

Insight Yoga teacher training Primary Level with Sarah Powers, Seattle, WA- 70 hours- September 2018

Fascia, Form & Functional Flow with Karen Sprute-Francovich- Seattle, WA- 12 hours- January 2020

Yin Yoga, Myofascial Release, and MyoYin with Nicky Hadjithoma- 30 hours- January 2021

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Miscellaneous trainings

Yoga Therapeutics with Amy Ippoliti, Seattle, WA- 27 hours- September 2018

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Trauma Informed Yoga- 1 day training with Zabie Yamasaki, Seattle, WA- April 2018

and online course- Transcending Trauma with Yoga- 24 hours- May 2020

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Five Elements of Yoga w/ Saul David Raye, Sianna Sherman, Juan Pablo Barahona, Janet Stone, Sreedevi K. Bringi/ Online Immersion- Hanuman Academy- 35 hours- July 2017

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Creative Sequencing with Sheri Celentano and Jamie Silverstein/ The Grinning Yogi, Seattle, WA

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Some Workshops through the years

Yin and the Five Spirits with Stephanie Nosco- February/ March 2021

Balancing the Pelvis with Leila Stuart- May 2018

Chakra Activation with Anodea Judith- May 2018

Weekend workshops with Sianna Sherman- December 2017

Energy Medicine Yoga with Lauren Walker- September 2017

Weekend workshops with Noah Maze- May 2016

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Photos of Colleen by the amazing Sukha Design & Photography

SPECIAL EVENTS 

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Donation Yin

for FEEST Seattle and Got Green Seattle, to fight food injustice

August 14th, 6 pm

$10 donation, all proceeds go to the nonprofits

Free to BIPOC

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Previous recipients have included the Loveland Foundation, Equal Justice Initiative, and Black Lives Matter

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