I was born in Chicago to a Muslim father and Jewish mother. I grew up a product of the Desegregation Initiative in Chicago’s public schools in the 1980’s. Working class kids like me could attend top magnet schools by being bussed out of their neighborhoods. I experienced vast socioeconomic and racial diversity growing up on the Far North Side. I only realized as an adult how rare this was for most places in our country and am now extremely grateful for it.

After completed a BFA in Theater for Directing with a Minor in Dance from the University of Illinois, I moved west to San Francisco. For most of my twenties, I worked as a actor and director in black box and children’s theater and tended bar to pay the bills. I worked as a Theatre teacher and Program director at a Montessori school in Marin County and for 10 years. I received my 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification during this time from Laughing Lotus Yoga Center in San Francisco, and my 500 Hr Certification from the (now closed) Yoga Tree SF.

In 2012, I left the Montessori school to open my business, Left Coast Power Yoga. We opened on April 6th, 2013 in a small storefront on Grand Avenue. Two of us taught all the classes on the schedule, and we were open 7 days a week.

I opened our second location, Left Coast Uptown, in 2016, when pregnant with my first daughter, Luna. We were there for almost five years, until COVID shut that location down permanently. I opened my third location, Left Coast Laurel, in 2019, when my younger daughter, Vida, was 6 months old (hmm…notice a pattern here?) In 2021, I took over the Grand Avenue studio’s two adjoining storefronts to triple the space of our original location. We now proudly boast two practice locations as well as a dressing room, a Lounge with complimentary tea, and a Massage room. At the same time I was leading retreats both locally and internationally and realizing how much I enjoy curating these experiences for others.

Left Coast started offering Yoga Teacher Training annually in 2018, and this program has grown every year. Through my work mentoring the Trainees and unofficially counselling other small business owners, I realized I have a talent. I can teach others how avoid some of the mistakes I have made in my 12 years of small business ownership in a mindful and practical way. I specialize in supporting business owners who might feel that their voices are not heard loud and clear, whether they are womxn, queer, BIPOC or from any other marginalized group. Feel free to reach out with any questions about my current offerings… I hope to support your personal journey in any way that I can!