Heather teaches yoga and leads ceremony to empower people in embodying their most authentic selves. Her teaching is grounded in her training and studies integrating Yin and Yang (active Hatha) styles of yoga, hands-on healing modalities, mindfulness practices and indigenous ceremony ways. Heather’s life-long athletic experience, deep connection with the elements of nature, and exploration of indigenous culture and ceremony ways greatly influence her work. Since 1979, she has been an avid an skilled surfer, competing as one of the top 15 women on the Professional World Tour in 1988-89. In 1988, she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Studies at UC Santa Barbara. Her studies culminated in a focus on the impact of land development and the California Environmental Quality Act and related legislation on Chumash sacred sites and cultural heritage.
Heather, an E-RYT500 registered instructor with Yoga Alliance, has been teaching yoga full time since 1998. She has maintained a consistent and evolving personal practice since 1996. She has trained extensively, studying with a variety of teachers including Erich Schiffmann, Lisa Walford, Ana Forrest and Sarah Powers. From 1998-2004, Heather completed a personal teaching apprenticeship with Ana Forrest and trained teachers as a faculty member in the Forrest Yoga teacher training courses. Since 2004, Heather has expanded the focus of her practice and training to include Yin Yoga and meditation practices. Heather is also a ceremonial leader. For over 12 years, she has safely and compassionately guided sweat lodge ceremonies, vision fasts and healing ceremonies. She continues to teach ongoing classes, workshops, retreats and yoga teacher trainings in the Santa Barbara, CA area and across the country.
Integrating these deeply transformational traditions, Heather’s programs offer an opportunity for healing the injuries, stresses, trauma and the underlying conditioning that blocks our potential and limits our lives. Her classes are known for weaving challenging physical intensity with self-awareness. She skillfully guides people of all ages and levels with her practical, focused, and sensitive individualized instruction. Heather’s vision is for each of us to create a healthy home for our spirit; to walk our life’s path with strength, openness and grace.
