My Background
I was the first person in my family to go to college. I attended Lock Haven University of PA and became a Resident Assistant. I planned activities for the girls on my floor and created as welcoming of an environment as I could for them. I also started a club on campus that discussed topics related to philosophy and science.
Out of a family full of boys, I ended up being the only sibling to join the military. When I joined the U.S. Air Force when I was 21, no one really had any advice or guidance for me, but I knew it was going to be the start of a whole new life.
After basic training in San Antonio, TX and then technical training in Biloxi, MS, I was stationed at Sembach Air Base in Germany. I was a weather forecaster and provided forecasts and resource protection (issued watches, warnings, and advisories) for flights, missions, and base activities throughout Europe and Africa. It sounds way cooler than what it was. I mean, it was alright...
I was also a Physical Training Leader (PTL) while in the Air Force. I led group PT sessions and administered fitness tests required for military members to maintain standards. As they say in military terms, I was "volun-told" to be a PTL, but I made the most of it and ended up being a trusted leader to people with insecurities because I didn't make them feel bad about their fitness level.
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It was exciting to live in Germany because I had studied German in high school. I actually remember staring at a large mural on the wall of Schloss Neuschwanstein and thinking how much of a bummer it was that I'd never get to see it in person (negative, limiting thoughts), but then I immediately stopped myself and said "Why NOT?!" and started telling myself that I WOULD see it some day in person (positive, goal-driven thoughts). I went on to visit the castle twice while I was stationed in Germany. It was symbolic for me in setting and achieving goals. It represented a time when I made something happen by intentionally changing my thinking.
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After the military, I finished my degree in Communications Media at Lock Haven University of PA and a certificate in Radio Announcing and Voiceover with The Columbia School of Broadcasting. Then, I moved to Brooklyn for graduate school in Media Studies at The New School for Public Engagement in New York City. I was the first person to get a Master's Degree as well.
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to live in New York City. I think it was something about growing up in a small, rural area that made me want to live in a place more connected to the rest of the world. It was exciting, but intense. I had fun working on different productions and meeting so many great people, but as I explain in the section about my mother, I went through a lot in New York and decided not to stay there once I finished my degree like I had planned. Instead, I got certified to teach English as a Second Language and moved to Taiwan.
Teaching in Taiwan was an incredible experience. The perspective of being a foreigner in a country where you look different than everyone else is something more people should experience. It was a demanding job being a teacher and I was limited in what I was able to do in the classroom because of the strict curriculum, but the experience of teaching children in a different country was amazing.
I met my husband in Taiwan and we have a beautiful daughter together. We had a couple international moves since we met (he's Canadian and we lived there for a bit), but we settled back in the U.S. in 2016. He still teaches English as a Second Language, but it was never something I planned on doing long-term.
I'm now putting all my experience together to do what I love to do. I teach yoga and use digital media creations to supplement and support the personal growth of each student on their journey to creating lasting happiness. My intentions are to promote holistic choices whenever possible in contrast to unnecessary prescription medications and destructive behaviors. As I develop educational materials for my students in their enrolled courses, I conduct live virtual classes and provide individual coaching sessions as well.
Yoga Certifications and Specialized Training
200hr Multi-Style Yoga Teacher
300hr Multi-Style Yoga Teacher
100hr Meditation Teacher
200hr Meditation Teacher (currently finishing)
Pre-Natal Yoga
Pranayama (Breath Control)
100hr Yin Yoga Teacher (in process)
Opening the Third Eye
200hr Kundalini Yoga Teacher (in process)
Degrees
M.A. Media Studies; Film
B.A. Communications Media; Journalism
A.S. Weather Technology
Certificates
Radio Announcing and Voiceovers
TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)