Her Path to Yoga

Almost two decades ago, and influenced by her readings on Buddhist philosophy and her interest on meditation, alternative medicine and the exploration of the body's limits, Natalie started to take her first steps into the path of yoga. Today, after many years of study and practice, her wide variety of trainings allows her to teach different yoga styles and levels.

As a certified yoga therapist, she has a comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy, body structure, the mechanics of movement and the application of asanas for physical and emotional wellness. All this, plus her significant experience as a yoga instructor, allows her to guide her students through a series of individual modifications to reach their maximum potential, using their bodies more efficiently while avoiding the risk of injuries.

In her teachings meet a variety of yogic and spiritual traditions; she incorporates elements of Iyengar, Anusara, Jivamukti, Viniyoga, Vinyasa and Kundalini, among others. Her classes are centered on the breath, the fluidity and gracefulness of movements, the awakening and development of intuition and the spirit generating internal peace.

CERTIFICATES AND DIPLOMAS

Studies and Certifications

After studying for several years with teachers like Larry Payne, John Friend, Shiva Rea, Max Strom, Saul David Raye, Erich Schiffmann, Sharon Gannon and David Life, she received her first Teacher Certification from the White Lotus Foundation (Santa Barbara, California), with teachers Ganga White and Tracey Rich, creators of the White Lotus Flow.

Shortly after, she completed her second Teacher Training at Sacred Movement Center for Yoga and Healing(Venice, California), with Max Strom, Saul David Raye, Shiva Rea and Sherry Brourman.

While taking her first few steps as a teacher, she started studying at the GoldenBridgeCenter (Los Angeles, California) under the guidance of Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, with whom she traveled to India and from whom she received her certification in Prenatal Yoga - The Khalsa Way.

Shortly after that, she got her certification in Yoga for Kids, which prepared her to the challenging task of teaching yoga classes for children and teenagers.

At the end of September 2004, she finished a Teacher's Workshop for the Incarcerated Youth, held by the Yoga for Youth Organization and lead by its founder, Krishna Kaur.

In the meantime, Natalie studied Swedish, lymphatic, hydrotherapy, deep tissue, acupressure and shiatsu massage at the Los Angeles Vocational Institute, graduating in June 2006 as a Certified Massage Therapist.

Following her interest in the applications of yoga as a scientific healing art, Natalie joined the Loyola Marymount University’s Yoga Therapy Program, where she graduated as a Yoga Therapist in August 2008.

She is a Yoga Alliance's Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT), so she's registered to train current and prospective yoga instructors.

Natalie is a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Job Experience

Natalie worked with Impact Foundationand Imagine Yoga for Kids, non-profit organizations that offer yoga classes to inner-city youth. She also worked with both students and teachers in different schools in the Los Angeles area. She also brought the art of yoga to TAS (The Accelerated School) in South Central Los Angeles, where yoga was part of the curriculum.

Through the practice of yoga, visualization exercises, arts and creative writing, hundreds of young students received the tools to build for themselves a positive change in their lives.

She also received a grant from California Healthcare West to work during three years at California Hospital’s Hope Street Family Center, in Downtown Los Angeles, where she introduced low-income mothers and teenagers to the practice of yoga, and held regular trainings and workshops at the Hospital, empowering doctors, caregivers and parents with the tools of yoga, reiki, massage and creative games for healing.

Meanwhile, Natalie worked in several studios of Southern California, including Culver City's Goda Yoga, Santa Monica Yoga, and LA’s Liberation Yoga.

In 2008 Natalie was hired by Southern Oregon's Rasa Center for Yoga & Wellness, where besides working as a lead teacher, she currently conducts different regular workshops and trainings.

She's the Director of Teacher Trainings at Rasa.