When did you graduate teacher training?
Fall 2008

Why do you like it hot?
Because I’ve spent most of my life too cold. (I was born in an igloo in Canada.)

Do you remember your first class?
Yes, barely. I was going in and out of consciousness.

Why did you become a yoga teacher?
I was tired of working part-time as a server in a restaurant and was spending just about as much time at my yoga studio (work trade and practising). I wanted to go to training.

Any tips for new students?
Just keep going.

Hey baby, what’s your sign?
Gemini, although I’ve always felt more like a Cancer…

What do you want to be when you grow up?
I don’t want to grow up.

Beatles or Elvis?
Not a fair question.

What was your first concert?
Bruce Springsteen, Born in the USA tour, in Toronto. I was 5 and knew the words to every song.

Have you ever fasted?
Yes, twice.

How long did it take you to learn to lock your knee?
Probably around two years. But somedays it still doesn’t like to lock all the way. Still learning.

What’s your guilty pleasure?
America’s Next Top Model. I know. I know.

If you were an appliance what would you be?
Right now? A toaster! I love toast. I eat it a couple times a day. Pregnancy craving.

Have you ever been to Burning Man?
No, but it’s on my list. After baby.

What’s the first music you ever bought?
Micheal Jackson, Thriller.

Besides yoga, what do you like to do for fun?
Rockband! Stick-stepping.

Describe your first kiss.
It was terrible. A dare. Didn’t like the guy in that way. I was in 6th grade and found it repulsively wet and slimey. Brushed my teeth six times afterward.

Describe your ideal yoga shorts.
Not too, too short so that my bum doesn’t fall out the back and long enough that my foot will stay put for tree pose. Loose around abdomen! A fabric that holds it’s shape well after many washes.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever done in class?
Probably years ago when I fell out of a balancing posture and decided the best way to attack it would be to curse, pace around my entire mat once and scowling with teeth and fist clenched, set up again. Frustration has an atrocious effect on balance.

What do you want to gain from your yoga practice?
Good health and sanity.

Why do you love SF?
Burritos, Dim Sum, Dolores Park, Mission Yoga, no winters, and of course, Muni (just kidding),

Why do you love the Mission?
Burritos (El Farolito and El Toro). It’s easy-going. It’s young. It’s dog-friendly. There’s Bikram yoga there.

Favorites:

• Color: Green (sorry, Bikram.)
• Animal: My french bulldog, Miss Piggy!
• Yoga Pose: It changes. Right now…half-moon.
• Neighborhood: Mission
• Restaurants: Mission Beach Cafe, El Farolito, Yank Sing, Deja Vu Pizza, Sushi Zone
• Bread: Whole wheat with nuts and oats…toasted!
• Bikram quote: “Solid, Concrete, One Piece, Lampost, Unbroken. NO KNEE!”
• Books: “The World According to Garp” John Irving, “Fall On Your Knees” Ann McDonald, “Anna Karenina” Leo Tolstoy, “Middlesex” Jeffrey Eugenides
• Movies: “When Harry met Sally”, “Persona”, “Sixteen Candles”, “Good Will Hunting” and any of the Bourne movies (I have a thing for Matt Damon), “Stand by Me”, “Little Miss Sunshine”, “Juno”, “Rocky IV”, “The Shining”, “Star Wars” (4-6)
• Lucky Number: 14
• Least favorite pose: The one that people do instead of savasana. Not sure what it’s called “wriggle-asana”, “wipe-the-sweat-that-is-actually-cooling-me-off-asana”, “flap-about-like-a-fish-out-of-water-asana”?