Your Journey to Transformation Begins Here.
At Alchemy, we guide you through the ancient wisdom of yoga in a way that resonates with your modern life, whether you're seeking deeper personal practice, or preparing to teach others.
Our unique approach bridges traditional yogic knowledge with evidence-based science to create transformative, sustainable practices that work for real bodies and busy lives.
In all three of our programs, you will learn about yoga philosophy, alignment and anatomy, and how the yogi’s energetic maps are supported by what we now understand about the nervous system.
Where Tradition Meets Modern Life and Modern Science
Our mission at Shine Yoga School is both ancient and innovative: to honor yoga's traditions while making them relevant and accessible through the lens of modern science and research.
We believe that when traditional yogic wisdom is supported by contemporary understanding of anatomy, neuroscience, and biomechanics, the practice becomes more effective, accessible, and transformative for today's practitioners.
Each program we offer integrates research-backed approaches to movement, nervous system regulation, and cognitive science—ensuring that your practice is not only steeped in tradition but also supported by evidence of what actually works for human bodies and minds.
Our Approach to Teaching
Evidence-Based Wisdom At Shine, we take a unique approach that sets us apart from conventional yoga education:
Integration of Science and Spirit We bridge the gap between ancient yogic practices and modern scientific understanding, particularly in the realms of neuroscience, anatomy, and kinesiology. This approach allows you to understand not just what to practice, but why and how these practices create specific effects in your body and mind.
Nervous System Intelligence Our curriculum places special emphasis on how yoga affects your nervous system—teaching you to recognize your own nervous system states and how to use specific practices to regulate stress responses, improve recovery, and enhance resilience in daily life.
Functional Anatomy Focus Rather than teaching one-size-fits-all alignment, we use evidence-based approaches to biomechanics and functional movement to help you understand how to work with your unique body structure. This prevents injury while maximizing the benefits of each practice.
Research-Informed Teaching We continually update our curriculum based on emerging research in exercise science, pain science, and trauma-informed care—ensuring our teaching remains current with scientific understanding while honoring yoga's traditional roots.
Meet Your Teacher
I opened Shine Yoga in 2015, when I was 41 years old, 3 years out from stage 3 breast cancer treatment. Yoga changed my life, allowing me to heal in ways nothing else did.
I always say that Shine is built on proof that yoga works.
Prior to cancer, my path took me through careers as a professor of Comparative Literature and Writing at Rutgers University, University of Oklahoma, and Texas Tech and as a professional writer across public relations and marketing before landing in program development, implementation, and strategy.
I spent eight years creating programs for Community Behavioral Health and Health Centers, serving as a liaison between federal government, university researchers, and healthcare providers.
In 2009, when I held my first Yoga Teacher Training program, all these things came together. It is the greatest joy of my life to teach yoga deeply, beyond a one-hour class.
Science Meets Practice
My academic background and work with research institutions instilled in me a deep appreciation for evidence-based approaches. When I discovered yoga as part of my cancer recovery, I became fascinated by the emerging science that validates and explains yoga's powerful effects.
This led me to extensive study in nervous system regulation, trauma-informed practices, and functional anatomy—training with pioneering teachers who integrate modern science with traditional yoga. My continuing education includes specialized training in:
Polyvagal Theory and nervous system regulation
Trauma-sensitive approaches to movement and meditation
Biomechanics and functional movement principles
Pain science and its applications to yoga practice
Cognitive neuroscience as it relates to meditation
This unique blend of scientific understanding and traditional yoga practice informs everything I do. My students often tell me that understanding the "why" behind the practices—from both scientific and philosophical perspectives—makes their yoga experience more meaningful, effective, and sustainable.
My passion is creating programs that translate complex scientific concepts into practical, accessible practices that meet people exactly where they are, addressing their specific needs while honoring their unique journeys.
If you’re thinking polyvagal what? don’t worry.
I’ve been that person confused by Sanskrit and anatomy terms in a yoga class. I’m not trying to be the smartest person in the room.
I’m a teacher, and for me what that means is finding a way to help every single person in my class feel safe and confident enough to be curious, to be open to learning, open to feeling, and open to trying.
I have all of this knowledge in my back pocket, it does inform my teaching (and my amazement at the capacity of the human body and mind) but I’ll teach it to you in a way that is accessible and fun.
If you become a teacher, I’ll show you how to pass this complex information on to your students so they can feel it in their bodies, and regulate their nervous systems. If you do Deep Yoga, I’ll make this knowledge practical.
I don’t want to dismiss the importance of this research. It has deeply informed my approach to the programs I teach and I do share all the research I’ve gathered. But yoga is about embodiment, so the research informs daily living.
A few things you should know about me.
I believe in pedagogy that’s powerful
My teaching methodology combines my theater background with evidence-based learning principles, creating immersive experiences that engage multiple learning styles for deeper integration.
Integrative Wellness is my passion
Before becoming a yoga teacher, I spent eight years in healthcare program development, learning firsthand how integrative wellness approaches change lives—experience I bring to every training.
It’s important that we have the same values
I personally train every teacher on our faculty, ensuring consistent quality while celebrating the unique gifts each brings to our community of practice and learning.
Our Values
Kindness
for everyone.
Impact
driven teaching .
Wellness
to live your best life.
Dedication
to our students.
Have Questions?
Book a Consultation.
Why Choose Shine: Our Unique Approach
Research-Based Knowledge
Our programs incorporate current research on how yoga practices affect human physiology, neurobiology, and psychology—giving you confidence that what you're learning is supported by evidence, not just tradition or opinion.
Beyond Trends and Traditions
What truly sets Alchemy apart is our commitment to education that goes beyond both fleeting trends and rigid traditions.
Our focus is on what works for the individual person. Yoga has always been personal. We help you craft experiences that support everyone in the room, including you.
Accessible Depth
Complex scientific concepts are translated into clear, practical applications. You'll understand the physiological and neurological "why" behind yoga practices in a way that enhances your experience.
Personalized Application
We teach you to apply scientific understanding to your unique body and circumstances. Rather than prescribing "correct" forms, we help you discover what actually works for your and your students’ specific structure and nervous system.
We use tested cues and modern research to help you and your students be embodied, access muscle strength and length, and impact your nervous system.
Practical Emphasis
Our science-informed approach focuses on function over form, experience over appearances. This pragmatic emphasis makes yoga more accessible and effective for diverse bodies and needs.
Balanced Perspective
We honor traditional wisdom while embracing scientific insight, recognizing that both approaches offer valuable perspectives. This balanced view prevents both the blind acceptance of tradition and the reductionist view that everything must be scientifically proven to be valid.
Join Our Learning Community
Whether you're drawn to yoga for physical wellbeing, stress management, personal growth, or professional development, our science-informed approach provides the understanding and tools to make your practice truly transformative.
Wherever you are on your yogic path, you'll find a home at Alchemy. Our programs are designed to meet you exactly where you are, while inviting you to discover your fullest potential through practices that honor both ancient wisdom and modern understanding.
Deep Yoga
Yoga Teacher Certification
Advanced Yoga Teacher Training
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Let's connect about which program aligns with your goals and learning style. I'm here to answer your questions and help you find the perfect path forward, whether you're looking to deepen your practice, become a teacher, or advance your teaching skills.