I feel that yoga is a precious gift, and certainly one of the greatest influences in my life. Looking back on my path, I find it both both beautiful and humbling the way yoga has been a doorway for so many things to enter my life. This includes friendships, as well as studying with teachers throughout the world, and practicing and teaching in so many interesting places near and far. I often contemplate how different my life would be if I had not discovered yoga at the age of 18.

I reflect on my first yoga class and walking into Maria Svoboda’s second-floor studio, at the corner of Queen Anne Ave & Boston. People often ask, “What drew you to yoga?” I honestly don’t know the answer to that because I hadn’t had any exposure to the teachings or the practice before that moment, I just remember being so drawn to practicing. Also, because I knew nothing about yoga, I had no idea how special Maria Svoboda was. Only later did I come to understand that she was a true master, having studied with BKS Iyengar for many years. I can honestly say that Maria Svoboda, as a teacher, and the practice of yoga, changed my life.

When I look back upon my path, I understand that all of the twists and turns I took were not circuitous at all. The yogic path tends to guide you in such an intelligent and exquisite way. For example, in my passion for sharing yoga with women, I discovered how supportive teaching prenatal yoga was for helping to relieve the common discomforts of pregnancy, as well as a powerful way to prepare for labor and childbirth. This work lead me to becoming a doula and supporting women, their partners, and their babies for the past 20 years.

I was so nourished by the teachings of yoga and became a seeker of both teachings and teachers. I traveled to India, and serendipitously, ended up living, working, studying, and teaching there for six years. I also became drawn to Ayurveda, yoga’s sister science. This passion lead me to study Ayurveda and become a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Licensed Massage Therapist. I now have a private practice at a natural health clinic in the Greenlake neighborhood. The path of yoga lead me to becoming a Reiki practitioner and Conscious Breathwork Facilitator – other profound ways to work with people’s energy and higher states of consciousness. Most recently, yoga lead me to study psychology, where I am completing a master’s program in counseling psychology, specializing in trauma and abuse. The research shows that trauma cannot be healed through talk therapy – it must be healed through the body, somatically. This is where the teachings and practice of yoga are so relevant.

Sharing yoga is a privilege, and I am honored to do so, especially in this capacity as a teacher who teaches others to become teachers. It is an immense gift to do this with my dear friend, Tami Hafzalla. I feel that together, we have created a training that honors the tradition and integrity of yoga, that is inclusive, warm, caring, and pure heart. Our training truly honors the hearts, spirits, and bodies of those who participate. Together, we are sharing all that we know through our combined 60 years of practicing and teaching. We want to support you in becoming the most authentic teacher of yoga so that you can share it in your unique and beautiful way with others.

For more information, you can visit my website: harmonyayurveda.com

I have always felt that the path of Yoga chose me. I was first introduced at the age of 20 by a professor during my undergraduate Psychology studies. Yoga was a suggested method to inquire into the nature of the mind whilst regulating sympathetic nervous system impulses through the physical body. As someone who was caught in the mind and analysis, I was instantly inspired to discover a technique that addressed the union of body, mind and consciousness to restore balance. Yoga provided me freedom of mind, ease in my body and profound insight I never knew possible. As a lifelong seeker of truth, Yoga resonated with me deeply and connected me back to my own eastern roots.

I was born in Cairo, Egypt to a traditional Coptic Egyptian family. This has been my greatest influence, yet my upbringing in American society made the negotiation of east and west constant within me. Ultimately I recognize myself as a global citizen and relate to humanity’s all time quest toward the sacred. I’m especially touched by the sweetness of Bhakti: “devotional acts that align the seeker’s heart to the heart of God”  It is from a place of devotion that I practice and teach. Yoga has nourished and enlivened me. My practice offers me space for daily renewal, aligning me to subtle, peaceful, universal, sacred essence.

My heart and intuition have led me on a path where travel and my practice are entwined. After university, I worked in my field as a mental health counselor for several years. I was slated to complete a master’s degree in art therapy but the universe had other plans for me and I found myself overseas. During this time I was guided to my first Yoga teacher training at an Ashram in Australia and in addition discovered Ayurveda, Yoga’s sister science. This ancient science of longevity became integral to me so I became a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Licensed Massage Therapist. Today I see clients at my home studio weaving Yoga, Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Psychology in my sessions. 

Over the years I have had the great blessing of studying with masterful teachers and teaching all over the world. I aim to always have a trip on the calendar to connect annually with my mentors, community and offer retreats in spectacular settings. 

My passion for women’s studies and my wish to have a baby led me to teach prenatal Yoga and beginning in 2003 I began offering doula services, empowering women and their partners through this miraculous, transformative time. I too have experienced this rite of passage and consider my son Indi my greatest teacher of love.

One of my life’s greatest gifts is teaching Yoga alongside my dear friend Jodi Boone. Our teacher training is the culmination of 20 years of collaborative work and 60 years combined experience. Our intention is to create a warm and welcoming container for all. We will share what we have gathered on our journeys with you. We will support you in your process of discovery, taking in the ancient teachings and with your discernment, making them yours, relevant to modern day life. We will hold space in community for you to connect to your own inner wisdom and grace. We hope you join us for our most joyous offering.

To learn more about me please visit:

www.bhakti-flow.com