Welcome... and Blessings!
For the past 11 years, I have been immersed in this practice of using meditation and yoga for PTSD. The journey began with my own practice after witnessing a taxi driver die in a car accident in Manhattan and nearly dying myself. After leaving my career as an investment banker and art gallery owner, I spent extended periods of time studying yoga and meditation both in the US and Asia before eventually marrying my attorney-by-day, yogi-by-night husband, Edgar, and moving to Miami. The Sivananda ashram in Neyyar Dam, India was the incredible place I did my formal Teacher Training course, followed by the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island in the Bahamas for the Advanced Teacher Training Course. My Yoga Nidra (Integrative Restoration, or iRest) teacher is Richard Miller of the Integrative Restoration Institute with whom I continue to study.
I have worked with many types of trauma, including individuals recovering from the trauma of war, natural disasters, substance abuse dependancies, as well as traumas caused by accidents, the passing of a loved-one, domestic violence, sexual trauma and other types of violence or trauma.
Currently, I offer private consultations for those healing from trauma, either in person or via telephone or Skype. I also conduct retreats and workshops at various yoga centers, hospitals and other treatment centers on Yoga and Meditation for Trauma. I am one of the founders of Warriors at Ease, an organization that trains yoga and meditation teachers how to teach in military settings. I am also currently writing a book inspired by the healing power of yoga and meditation.
Prior to giving birth to my son, Santiago, I taught iRest Yoga Nidra and yoga at the Miami Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for 4 years in the 90-day residential PTSD and Substance Abuse programs, the acute in-patient mental health program and in the VA nursing home. I helped conduct an 18-month Department of Defense Center of Excellence-funded clinical research study, which measured the effects of iRest on veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. After teaching nearly 1,000 veterans to meditate and learning an infinite amount from them in the process, I will be forever committed to serving the military and veteran communities.
What I am not is a psychologist, a psychiatrist or a licensed mental health provider. I HIGHLY recommend that anyone who is healing from trauma consult a licensed mental health provider in addition to their work with yoga and meditation. It is not my intention to replace this crucial part of the healing process, but to deepen and strengthen it by empowering people with the practices of yoga and meditation.
Contact me today either by calling 786.489.9854 or emailing using the contact form on the right to learn more about one of my programs or to schedule an appointment.