For over 20 years, I’ve thoroughly immersed myself in the study of Buddhism, yoga, and natural healing. I have a Master’s Degree in Buddhist Studies, and have studied Tibetan scriptural translation with Drs. Robert Thurman and Gen Lozang Jamspal of Columbia University. I’ve lived and studied in traditional monastic settings all over the world, and have been privileged to serve as a close personal attendant to two of my teachers. This is rare for a Western woman of my generation.

TEACHING
The heart of my teaching is tender-hearted clarity, compassion and embodied awareness. I have a passion for decoupling wisdom from cultural and institutional trappings, and am drawn to language that is precise, poetic, and decidedly secular.

BACKGROUND
My training began at age 19 when I moved into a small Zen Temple in Berkely, California. There, under Master Huyoong Sunim, I studied Dharma, natural healing, and esoteric energy practices. Since then I have traveled extensively pursing Dharma, yoga, and herbalism. I have over 1,500 hours of Registered Yoga Teacher Training ranging from Ashtanga to Iyengar-inspred yoga, and I’m always making or taking some kind of herbal remedy!

The bulk of my Dharma study has been in the Gelug lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Over the years, I’ve been privileged to travel extensively and study with many renown lamas, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I am currently — and joyously! — studying and practicing Dzogchen and Machig Labdron lineages under Lama Tsultrim Allione.

WORK
In addition to hosting Dharma Friends, a monthly community gathering at Tibet House NYC, I regularly offer Buddhist meditation retreats and classes. I also lead international pilgrimages for Tricycle Buddhist Review, and I support a wide range of individuals through one on one spiritual mentorship and meditation coaching.

I’ve developed and co-developed multiple Buddhist and yoga training curricula, led 17 residential retreats (5 international and 12 national), and am on the teaching faculty of the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science and Kula Yoga.

I’m also on the board for the Center for Compassion and Creativity, a non-profit founded with $100,000 of seed money from the Dalai Lama. Our upcoming conference at Quinnipiac University, “Conversations Through The Lens of Compassion,” places political polarization, armed conflict and climate change in dialogue with compassionate responses.