Following a DREAM! Being of service, getting people outside in nature connecting to themselves, their environment and their community.

Bringing Mindfulness and awareness to our inner and outer worlds, that is what Taking Root is all about.

Education was my second career. Prior to Education I worked as a Wetland Scientist. I loved the education part of my job and decided to go back to school to become a Science Educator & Yoga Instructor simultaneously. I was becoming a “Teacher/Teacher” as I like to say!

I always knew going into public education it was going to be a stepping stone. My heart has always been in Outdoor and alternative Education.

I have created Taking Root where I have combined both of my passions outdoor/environmental education and yoga and mindfulness. Combining both of my worlds.

I enrolled in YTT 7 years ago right around when I actually started practicing when I was experiencing my own stress and anxiety.

My practice of yoga goes well beyond the physical poses. My yoga practice allows me to tune in and bring self-awareness to my physical, mental, and spiritual state. When I bring awareness to my body and mind I connect to myself and my breath in the present moment.

These thoughts and feelings may be uncomfortable, but practicing yoga has allowed me to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I remind myself that I do not need to attach to these thoughts and feelings.

I give myself self-compassion for how my body and mind has shown up on the mat for me that day since everyday we show up on our mat differently.

How we practice on our mat is a reflection of how we live our lives off our mat. I am grateful that I get to be of service and share my yoga practice with others as it has been transformational in my life.

Since I was younger I had a love for nature and being outside. Being outside always calmed me. When we are submerged outside in nature we are not on our phones or being pulled in all the directions our modern life has today. We are able to be with ourselves and our thoughts.

BIG question! Because we are all so stressed! We live in a stressful world. 

There is so much constant distraction/ stimulus that our bodies are not wired to take it all in. Our brains are not designed that way. 

When we are so overwhelmed with external stimuli we get stressed. Our nervous systems become on high alert. 

Stress is a natural response-to keep us safe, but we are experiencing toxic stress which our brain recognizes as trauma. 

Practicing Mindfulness techniques does not eliminate our natural stress response but helps support our response and build resilience to regulate our nervous system.

When you are in a Mindfulness and Nature session the activities we do are meant to help ground you down. Meaning, the activities such as nature walks, meditations, breath work, and yoga will help you connect to yourself and the present moment. When we feel ungrounded we often feel uneasy and unsettled. Practicing mindfulness activities help root ourselves down and bring in a sense of calm and ease. Grounding down and "Taking Root" in our body, mind, and spirit.

Nature Based Education and Mindfulness practices allow you to pay attention to your mental thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without any judgment.

When you stop judging these thoughts/feelings/and physical sensations you are practicing acts of self- compassion- when you are compassionate for yourself your confidence increases.

You increase your self-esteem. You are putting yourself first.

Mindfulness is a self-regulation technique that encourages one to be present in the moment with thoughts, feelings, physical sensations without making judgements.

I think anyone can learn mindfulness as long as they are open minded to learn a new skill and want to continue to practice that skill!. It can be as simple as noticing what you are eating for breakfast in the morning rather than scrolling on your phone or having a conversation. Mindfulness just as many things is a practice!