It was the word pratyahara, Sanskrit for “turning inward,” that ignited Mindy’s interest in yoga, compelling her to go to a hot yoga class and put her intense workout schedule on hold. A longtime student of Eastern thought, she was immediately drawn to yogic philosophy. Mindy began practicing yoga regularly in 2007 at Hot House Yoga after years of being a self-described gym rat and runner. Years after graduating college with no real direction, she felt something was missing in her life. Within a few weeks of practicing she found that something on her mat, where mind, body and spirit become one. The intense sweat-fest coupled with a deep concentration practice and inspiring wisdom teachings was exactly what she needed. Mindy was in love with it all and relieved to have found the path that would unite her passion for physical fitness with her years of interest in philosophy and self-study. Yoga became the vehicle for personal healing, exploration, and growth after a lifelong search for connection. Yoga brought Mindy the experience of a truly balanced life and vibrant health along with the deepest sense of gratitude. Becoming an instructor seemed a natural extension of her endeavors both on and off the mat, and a way to share her insatiable passion for yoga with others. She was certified through Yax Yoga Concepts teacher training in 2010 and just a few months later, was certified to teach vinyasa. She has been teaching at Hot House Yoga in Virginia Beach ever since.
As an instructor, she hopes to act as a guide for her students, facilitating their spiritual growth as well as their total health and well-being. She hopes to grow her teaching to help more specialized populations truly in need of the healing aspects of the yoga practice. She has done some work with bariatric as well as cancer patients in local hospital settings. Her intention is to share the highest expression of herself with her students, inspiring them with her contagious energy. Teaching has gifted Mindy with a life lived on purpose, a life that she navigates more deliberately and skillfully than she ever thought she would. She has been blessed to discover the medium through which the very best version of herself shines.
Mindy and her husband live in Virginia Beach and love to travel. At home, Mindy is often trekking to and from the studio with her Boston Terrier, Finnegan, in tow. Mindy’s sense of balance permeates all aspects of her life as she strives to devote herself equally to her marriage, family, home, friends, work and personal well-being.
“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Marianne Williamson
