I have been practicing yoga for over 15 years, initially studying Power and Astanga Yoga; and have received my 200-hr and 500-hr accreditation  through Beryl Bender Birch (The Hard and The Soft Yoga Institute). I have also studied with Eoin Finn (Blissology Yoga, 100-hr Immersion Vancouver); Sean Johnson (Bhakti Yoga Immersion New Orleans); Mathew Sanford (Adaptive Yoga, Mind-Body Solutions); Biff Mithoefer (Yin Yoga, Omega Institute and HOTVY); Manoj and Jyothi Chalam (Hindu Philosophy and Deities) and Terry Fralich (Mindfulness). I recently traveled to India with a group led by John Smrtic wherein we visited sacred sites, practiced yoga, and participated in sacred Bhakti yoga rituals and events. I enjoy creating learning experiences which build supportive relationships, promote health and wellness, and provide ways for students to connect with the outdoor natural environment.

An athlete and outdoor enthusiast for my whole life, I am a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (Outdoor Education), Project Adventure (Adventure-Based Counseling). I am an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, certified functional strength coach, PSIA Certified Ski, Snowboard, and Adaptive Instructor. I have taught skiing and snowboarding for over 40 years, and have worked in the ski industry as a snowsports school manager / director, staff trainer, and regional clinician. I’ve been intimately involved in the development of health and wellness and mentoring programs for disabled veterans in association with the Wounded Warrior Project and Warriors Live On, and competitive adaptive sports programs with the Adaptive Sports Foundation and Abilities Plus at Mount Snow (now Adaptive Sports at Mount Snow).

I’ve assisted his wife, Jo Kirsch, for many years conducting yoga programs and classes. For years, I’ve facilitated numerous educational workshops, led bike trips and backcountry hiking expeditions, coached various sports and mentored numerous athletes, and taught middle school health education. I began my full-time yoga-teaching “career” in 2014 at Heart of the Village Yoga Studio.

For my yoga teaching, training, and outdoor education work in Vermont, I call my work Perspective Coaching. I generally consider my coaching and teaching to be a facilitation process in which I help people see ways to enhance their health, happiness, and sense of overall wellness. This often involves facilitating changes in perspective. It sometimes just involves helping people re-discover who they naturally are and what they already know. In my work, I utilize the principles of yoga, personal training and wellness coaching, and strengths-based outdoor education. Ultimately, I let nature be our teacher.