I’ve had a life-long interest in health and fitness – while studying Botany in Canada, I also took courses in classical ballet and Shotokan karate. After moving to Gainesville in 1995, I started practicing Hatha Yoga which I enjoyed so much that I started teaching it in the Barbara Currie style in 2008. In 2011, I completed massage school (at the Florida School of Massage in Gainesville) plus a 150-hour integrated massage and personal trainer course from the Cambrea Institute. In 2012 I completed 200 hours of Yoga teacher training in mixed Iyengar-based styles. Since then, I’ve added a certification in Zero Balancing, a 40-hour course in Yoga for Osteoporosis, a certification in Manual Lymph Drainage with MLD Institute, as well as courses in Scar Massage to my toolkit of modalities. I am interested in the effect of movement (active and passive) on health in general and on specific tissues, and in the central role played by connective tissue in the body For my health, I need to move at least an hour every day –I have added Qi Gong into my movement teaching and my personal daily practice. I also like to run several times a week (Galloway style – run walk run) or at least walk. I continue to be amazed how effective movement and bodywork can be in healing, pain management, and improving mood! Our bodies will try to return to functioning and health if given the right cues. As a member of the Florida Massage Therapists’ Association, I served as secretary of the local chapter 2012-2017 and now as treasurer. I am a certified member of the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, the Yoga Alliance, and the Zero Balancing Health Association.