It Takes A Village

Words cannot capture the love and appreciation I have in my heart for all the people who have helped teach me, inspire me, and support me, and continue to show up for me.

MOlly Donlan

One of the most important people in my yoga journey! Molly is a Reiki Master. She is on a mission to spread the knowledge of Reiki to as many people as possible through easy to understand, easy to apply techniques and practices. She takes the sometimes confusing and conflicting information about energy work, and breaks it down in real world, easy to understand examples, and backed with science. For skeptics like me, its a perfect pathway to learn and to be open to the possibilities that lie within.

Molly and I have collaborated on so many different projects, workshops, and classes. A soul sister to my teaching, Molly always balances me out with my ideas and helps reign me in when I am lost and floundering. She also has the best repertoire of jokes and puns that you never knew that you needed.

https://www.mollydonlan.com/

Also check out Molly’s podcast “Demystifying Magic”

Scarborough Yoga Studio

My new home base. If it were not for Andrea Gleason opening the doors of her studio to me during the first years of the pandemic, I don’t know that I would be teaching. Mettā had closed and the dreams shattered. Andrea welcomed me, the Mettā community, and my mission of accessibility into the Scarborough Yoga Studio family without blinking an eye.

Andrea and I really got to know each other in our 300-hour training program. And since then, she’s been an invaluable, unwavering source of support, encouragement, guidance, and love. I cannot imagine being here today with out her mentorship and friendship.

https://www.scarboroughmaineyoga.com/

sea change yoga

Sea Change Yoga is a non-profit yoga service organization working within marginalized communities throughout Maine. I joined Sea Change in 2018 and time with this community has transformed the way I view the world and my role in it.

I have taught in prisons, youth detention centers, substance use recovery communities, and more. I have seen firsthand in some of these extreme environments, how yoga can be a pathway toward reconnecting with your own heart, and start a path of healing.

During times of struggle in my own yoga journey, or even in my life, the Sea Change Yoga community of staff, teachers, and students is consistently my north star to charting a course back to a path of heart centered service and healing.

https://www.seachangeyoga.org/

Donate here!

Sagel Urlacher

Sagel changed my life. I often say she probably saved my life. Sagel was my very first yoga teacher. I had just completed my surgery rehab program and the universe brought me to her yoga class on a random Tuesday night in December.

I was in all sorts of bad ways. My physical, mental, and emotional health was at an all time low. My only exposure to yoga was what I saw in pop culture. I was so far out of my element for a heated vinyasa class. I had no idea what I was doing. And she greeted me with such warmth and kindness.

That first class was a life changing moment and sent me on this path I am on now. She trained me in Yin and Meditation. I have read her book front to back. And have practiced many, many 100s of hours with her. Forever grateful.

When I think about what kind of teacher I want to be, I think about that first class. I was 17 cues behind, had no idea what was an arm or leg, and thinking I was going to die, Yet I never felt anything less than supported, welcomed, and safe.

That is the kind of teacher I want to be.

https://www.yinandmeditation.com/

Buy her book! (click here)

Jacqui Bonwell

The Momma Bird of the Northeast. Jacqui has trained many 100s of teachers across New England. Including me and many of my own teachers! I’ve learned so much from JB. She has a massive heart. Unrelenting passion for helping people. A deep passion for the wisdom of the teachings and an encyclopedic knowledge for how to put the teachings into action.

I am forever appreciative of her encouragement and support. Whenever stumped or confused on something, I know Jacqui is just a phone call or text message away to score some inspiration.

I have also read her book cover to cover many times as a meditation guide and prompt!

https://www.jacquibonwellyoga.com/

Buy her book! (click here)

Arcana MAine: Healing Arts & Soulful Yoga

On the surface Arcana is a shop and yoga studio nestled in the heart of Portland, Maine’s Old Port Arts & Shopping district. They offer access to different modalities of healing arts, as well as crystals and crafts that support personal practice and healing, and small soulful yoga classes. More than that, however, Arcana is a an oasis for the community. I always describe the shop as a place that you just feel better by stepping into the shop. When you step into Arcana, you are welcomed, and are safe.

Jennie and her team are fierce advocates and defenders of marginalized communities including LGBTQIA+, women’s rights, those in recovery, the unhoused, or individuals involved in the criminal punishment system. Jennie is a leader in the Maine community reminding all of us that the practice of yoga is also a call to action to support the freedom and safety of all people.

https://arcanamaine.com/

Anne Esquerra - Integrated Life Therapy

I met Anne through our shared work at Sea Change Yoga. We shared a teaching rotation at Long Creek Youth Development Center sharing time and practice with teens and young adults locked up in the criminal punishment system. What started as a mentorship has blossomed into an incredible gift of a friendship. Anne is so gifted at helping individuals not only reconnect with their own heart centered source of truth but to trust it. From there paving the way to live life that is guided through their own intuition. I deeply value Anne’s friendship and counsel so much. She has helped me refine my own path and understanding of the wisdom that lives within me. Not just as a teacher, but as a human.

https://www.integrativelifetherapy.com/

Julie Campilio - Roots Up

Julie is another peer turned close friend from Sea Change Yoga. Julie specializes in working with children. Through Roots Up she partners with organizations such as schools, educational centers, and beyond that support children. she offers curated programs that draw from yoga, mindfulness, and meditation traditions to help children and their caregivers, educators and supporting adults develop coping skills and strategies for processing and experiencing all the big feelings and emotions that come up. While children may be Julie’s focus, these same strategies are so needed in adults too. Through our friendship I am reminded of how to balance our life through big massive changes and that vulnerability is a strength.

https://ourrootsup.com/

Explore movement: kirsten adler

Sometimes Social Media is actually more social than media. I met Kirsten through Instagram of all places after she and her family moved to Maine. Kirsten works with individuals 1:1 and in small groups through her Pilates and GYROTONIC® and yoga training. We discovered that we have very similar philosophies on movement practices rooted in functional principles AND that movement is for every body and ability. Additionally, Kirsten has launched the Mainely Wellness Podcast. She interviews individuals in Maine who are involved in all aspects of health and wellness practices and services (including yours truly talking about meditation for people who don’t think they can meditate!).

https://exploremovement.com/

Checkout the podcast here. (And my appearance is here!)

Sunflower Farm & Creamery

What more is there to say, other than this is one of my favorite places in the entire world. It is like my sanctuary! Hope and her husband Chris have created a beautiful community on their goat dairy farm in Cumberland, Maine. During the summer you can do yoga twice a week in classes led by Hope. You are surrounded by the love of an incredible community as well as the all the beautiful frenetic energy of the farm. It’s never totally quiet. It is always a little rambunctious. But in the midst of any fracas of howls of glee and laughter are pockets of quiet where you can feel the love that surrounds the entire farm and community. It is truly magical.

Oh, and the blueberry goat cheese, and the chocolate covered salted caramels are next level, life affirming choices.

Please visit. You will feel better.

https://www.sunflowerfarm.info/

PS - did I forget to mention HOLDING BABY GOATS?!?! AAHHHHHH!!!! The absolute best.