Get to Know Me

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 big portion of my life. As a trauma survivor, I experienced shame around the abuse, until I developed the self confidence to realize that I had nothing to be ashamed of. The healing process has been downright painful but so worth it! I share my stories (on Instagram & Facebook) 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 have completed multiple online trainings with my guru, Juan Pablo Barahona, working with energy activation through the body's organs.

I’m a trauma aware yoga teacher and have also studied Emotional Wellness for Yoga under the guidance of the expert teachers at Phinney Ridge Yoga.
Always a student, I have been lucky to learn from teachers like Jason Crandell, Tiffany Cruikshank,  Amy Ippoliti, Seane Corn, and many amazing local teachers.
I completed my 500 hour through Twist Yoga, where I have dug into both Ayurveda and Yin. I am immersed in my next 500 hour through Yoga Medicine, with Tiffany Cruikshank.

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 both pranayama/ breath awareness and mental body balance into my classes. I like to meet the student where they are that day. We spend a lot of time in our head with less awareness of our physical body in that space. I work with the Koshas (layers of the body) to help balance body, breath/ energy, & mind- for those days where your physical body may be tired but your mind is active or agitated. There is no 1 size fits all practice. We are all unique individuals and need different things at different times.

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I incorporate Chinese Medicine 5 Element theory and seasonal awareness into all my classes. I enjoy being playful and challenging, while also bringing alignment awareness to my classes. I encourage you to come join me outside your comfort zone and find acceptance of yourself in your practice. In my spare time, I love snuggling with my cat, Galadriel. I enjoy reading and spending time in nature.  
 

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

Ayurveda on Your Mat with Kate Towell- 20 hours

Myofascial Release for Yoga and Wellness with Betsy Shilling- 10 hours

Yoga Nidra with Michele Hausman- 15 hours

Prenatal Modifications with Chrissy Vorpagel- 15 hours

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

Common Injury training with Jason Crandell- 21 hours

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

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

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

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

Chinese Medicine & Yoga- 24 hours

Mental Health & Wellness- 60 hours

Spine Anatomy- 24 hours

Yoga Anatomy Training online Immersion- Yoga Intl- 20 hours

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

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

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

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Amplify the Leader Within with Juan Pablo Barahona/ online 8- week Immersion

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

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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

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

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I have also practiced and studied extensively with Jason Crandell, Juan Pablo Barahona, Amy Ippoliti, and Seane Corn. I continue to be inspired by them and the many other amazing teachers (both local and international).

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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 nonprofit 

Free to BIPOC

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

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