ABOUT YOUR GUIDE
Trust that you arriving here was not just a coincidence.
Welcome! I’m Monica. If you've ever seen the film Karate Kid (the original), you’ll remember how Ralph Macchio was training in “Wax On, Wax Off” and “Paint the Fence” long before he ever understood the purpose of what those practices were for. That is certainly true of my journey. Along the way, I’ve been drawn to things and places almost inexplicably and without understanding how all the pieces would one day fit together. In my late 20’s, I began practicing and moving through different modalities as they appeared along my path, I found “them” as much as they found me, and these experiences have shaped me into who I am today. Believe me, it was NOT a linear road… it’s been a windy path indeed.
I lived in NYC during my early professional career in banking and then fashion. I decided to pursue my MBA which led me to Arizona and where I came to learn of a mystical place called Sedona. Immediately I was drawn to the mystery of its vortex fields, otherworldly rock formations and their unique energies. Books came to me that both fed my intrigue and deepened my curiosity and thirst for a greater understanding of the mystical arts.
I returned to Manhattan in 2000 with a newfound interest in this “thing” called Yoga, a seed that had been planted along the way. My spiritual journey had begun.
A dedicated Yoga & Wellness Practitioner for 20+ years, I completed my Teacher Training in 2013 at Miami Life Center in Miami Beach. In 2016, I made my first trip to Mysore, India to study under the guidance of R. Sharath Jois. My personal style of teaching developed emphasizing proper breath and alignment allowing for gentle modifications as needed to make classes both safe and challenging to all levels.
Over the years, I continued to build upon this foundation delving into other healing modalities including mantra, meditation, and neuroscience. I learned to take my practice “off the mat”, melding yoga into every movement including hiking, paddleboarding, and even strength training. It was as if though life delivered the next level course in my learning once I’d completed the previous one. And today, like Ralph Macchio in the Karate Kid, I now understand that all these past experiences have culminated and led me here to this moment. I've acquired the tools and training to focus and create my joy. I am so excited to share these practices in these special places together with you.
Formal Education:
M.B.A. from Thunderbird School of Global Management
B.A. from Boston College
Yoga Training & Meditation Background:
K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute, Mysore, India
Miami Life Center, Miami, FL
Transcendental Meditation, India 2016
Yoga Alliance Member since 2013
Student and Volunteer Member of Dr. Joe Dispenza's Retreats
Monica continues to serve as a Volunteer in numerous capacities and as a Community Yoga Leader in Miami, FL.
