I am a certified Iyengar yoga Instructor. Iyengar certification is the most rigorous teaching assessment in the world today. Click here for specifics.

I have been a teacher for more than 6 years.  I graduated from the Advanced Studies Program at the San Francisco Iyengar Institute.  I have had the great fortune of studying directly under Guruji and Geetaji several times in the US and in India.

I love working with beginners and those with specific needs.  I am certified as a restorative yoga teacher which is especially helpful for those with specific health concerns or stress related diseases. I have additional training to cater to students suffering from health challenges including back pain, scoliosis, injuries, menopause, and menstruation.

To keep my learning current, I study exclusively with senior Iyengar Certified teachers including Jaki Nett, Ramanand Patel, Manuso Manos and the excellent faculty from the Iyengar Institute in San Francisco. My first teachers were Susannah Bruder and Richard Rosen.

I have particular interest in nutrition. A lifetime member of Weight Watchers, I have battled with my weight all my life. Only when I discovered the benefits of eating more raw food did my yoga practice -- and life -- feel complete. I am happy to share my knowledge on nutrition and raw foods with students when they ask. Click here for my thoughts on why eating raw foods is a good thing.

One thing that is special about modern yoga is its focus on the laity, the householder. That applies to me for sure. While yoga is my total focus, I do get additional cardio and strength with the Manatee Aquatic Masters swim team and regular Pilates. I am Vice President of the Board for the San Francisco Iyengar Institute and work on several other Iyengar Association projects.  I am also an active volunteer with the Arab Film Festival. My wonderful husband, Bashir, provides me with karmic sustenance off the mat.

I grew up watching my mom do yoga with Lilian Folan on TV. She always did yoga, and I guess I figured that I would too when I grew up. In the mean time, I was a rower, swimmer and played rugby. I worked for several years in the fitness department at Healthworks, a women's health club. It was in college when tending to my subsequent rugby injuries that I was propelled toward yoga's health benefits.

Fast forward more than a decade and I am still totally in love with yoga. I still do yoga with my mom.  That is her in many of the pictures on this website. Come to class on Sunday nights and you can meet her!