Outside of yoga, I’m a mother to a 15-month-old boy and a student of herbalism. My background has always been rooted in a deep fascination with the natural world. I hold a BSc in Ecology and Biodiversity and Marine Biology, along with a Certificate in Captive Wild Animal Management. For years I worked as an aquaculture research technician, growing baby fish, and later as a wildlife keeper. I have always been drawn to animals and the rhythms of nature. Beyond that, I’ve explored many creative avenues in the digital space, from being a writer and Pinterest Manager to working as a brand and website designer. Today, I also host a podcast. Each of these roles has served a purpose, even when the bigger picture wasn’t clear at the time. Somehow, they always loop back together.
Yoga entered my life about ten years ago. At first, I practiced asana classes at my local gym to build flexibility and strength. I would sneak in classes during my lunch breaks while working as a technician, often rushing back to work and skipping savasana without realizing its value. Back then, I wasn’t drawn to the philosophy of yoga and even preferred pilates because I wanted nothing to do with spirituality. Ironically, yogic philosophy now underpins my life and guides nearly everything I do.
I became immersed in my practice, carving out time daily with YouTube classes led by Allie Van Fossen. Her gentle infusion of philosophy into physical practice opened me to yoga’s broader dimensions. Slowly, I began to understand the mental health benefits and the healing this practice brings beyond the physical body.
Challenges Along the Way
Consistency has always been a challenge for me, both in yoga and in life. If my routine shifts, I tend to lose momentum. I’m not a natural exercise enthusiast, so even with my love for asana, walking, and hiking, I’ve had to work hard at discipline.
Motherhood reshaped this challenge in a new way. Now it isn’t about lacking drive, but about carving out time and space amidst the responsibilities of raising a child. This season of life has taught me to adapt—turning to yoga not for exertion but for rest, calm, and healing. It shows up when I pause to breathe in moments of frustration, when I find presence in the middle of chaos, or when I seek clarity in small windows of stillness.
Evolving Into Teaching
My teaching journey began after a trauma in January 2020 that shook my foundations. I realized my old coping mechanisms no longer served me, so I leaned into yoga—the one healthy tool I had. That decision led me to enroll in a 250-hour Vinyasa training. I hadn’t intended to teach, but the deeper I went, the more I felt called to share this practice.
With little money at the time, I chose an online training program. It turned out to be a blessing as the world shut down only months later. By 2021, after graduating, I faced a new challenge: how to teach without in-person opportunities. I experimented with YouTube videos, filming outdoors because I lacked space indoors, but soon realized I needed more direction.
That struggle planted the seed for the All Mats Taken Yoga Business Summit in 2022. If I was struggling, surely others were too. I began reaching out to teachers and experts, creating a platform where we could all learn together. Since then, I’ve hosted three summits and built a growing podcast around the same theme.
Although motherhood slowed down my teaching for a while, I continue to teach yin yoga weekly and will soon begin monthly yoga nidra classes. Looking ahead, I dream of leading retreats, especially mother and child retreats in the Southern Hemisphere.
Building the Business
As a website designer, my first investment was building a simple site to introduce myself, showcase my classes, and allow easy bookings. Optimizing it for local SEO and pairing it with a Google Business Profile has been my most effective investment. Students continue to find me organically, which has been invaluable as a single mum with limited time.
For All Mats Taken, growth has been driven by collaborations and long-form content through my podcast. Meta ads and affiliate marketing have also played a role, but collaboration remains the heartbeat of this project. For my local classes, word of mouth and organic Google searches have been the strongest drivers.
My mission is clear: yoga has saved me during some of my darkest times, and if I can help more people discover its benefits, I know I’m doing meaningful work. I truly believe that when people experience more peace and joy in their lives, it ripples out into families, communities, and the world.
Lessons I’ve Learned
Consistency is everything. Progress doesn’t always arrive quickly, but showing up with patience builds results over time. As a yin teacher, I remind myself that hustle is not the only path forward. Slow and steady growth aligned with your values is just as powerful, and often more sustainable.
Building a yoga business is not separate from yoga practice itself. When I integrate the principles of presence, steadiness, and surrender into how I run my business, it feels more aligned and less like a struggle.
My Message to Founders
Remember why you began. Passion is the fuel that carries you through seasons of doubt and slow growth. Trust that results come in their own time, and don’t measure yourself against someone else’s pace.
This work is not just about building a career. It’s about creating ripples of healing and joy in the world. When you hold onto that perspective, the business side finds its flow.
Business Takeaways from Yoga Founders Magazine
Organic Presence
A strong website and Google Business Profile can quietly bring students to you, especially when social media feels overwhelming.
Collaboration First
Partnerships and community events build stronger foundations than trying to grow in isolation.
Consistency Wins
Slow, steady effort aligned with your values creates sustainable growth, even if results feel delayed.
Business as Practice
When your business is an extension of your yoga practice, it becomes more purposeful, less pressured, and far more fulfilling.
