about
I first started practicing yoga as a high schooler in my parents' basement thanks to a VHS tape. Over time (and a few more VHS tapes - then DVDs, and eventually, in-person classes at the studios and gyms near where I lived in California and Maryland), I realized what an important part of my life yoga had become. Finally, I had found a way to connect with my body in a way that wasn't a performance or a competition, and I was surrounded by others who were seeking the same. And, I was getting stronger, more flexible (in my moving and thinking), and a whole lot less anxious.
Now, eleven years in to my work as a yoga teacher, I specialize in teaching one-on-one. I currently meet weekly with students from Glover Park to Gaithersburg (now: over zoom!) to create personalized, strengthening, and healing home yoga practices. In all environments, I seek to lead sessions in such a way that participants feel empowered and at ease in their bodies. Through careful planning on my part and moment-to-moment feedback from students, we arrive at a well-rounded and progressively-sequenced practice – a mix of breathing exercises and/or meditation, standing poses, shoulder/hip mobilization and integration, core and balance work, and relaxation. We’ll find key actions that will help us explore a family of asanas (poses that share similar structures) and often build towards doable-but-challenging movements and poses. While what and how I teach (especially in a group setting) has evolved since I first started teaching in 2011, I’m a big believer in preserving the overarching spirit of a yoga class - that what we practice should leave us more grounded, calm and connected to ourselves.
While my first training was in Vinyasa/Hatha yoga, I have also studied prenatal yoga with April Puciata, Curvy Yoga with Anna Guest-Jelley, Prana Flow with Shiva Rea, Yin Yoga and Reiki with Yael Fluesberg, and Private Yoga with Francesca Cervero. I'm a total fangirl of movement-science-grounded teachers like Katy Bowman, Jenni Rawlings, Trina Altman, and Jules Mitchell. In the D.C. area, we're lucky to have so many places to come together and practice. But by studying and training with me privately, we can focus on exactly what you need - a lot of which might not be addressed in a typical yoga class.
While currently on pause, I hope to one day return to building Calmaraderie, through which yogis can create opportunities to practice seva, or selfless service. In the past, I’ve partnered with studios to hold clothing swaps where un-swapped clothes are donated to Martha's Table, hosted gatherings where students pack lunches for So Others Might Eat, and planned outings to Manna Food Center and A Wider Circle to sort donations. If this is something you'd like to bring to your community, or have questions about my other offerings, please email me at emily.star.yoga@gmail.com.
When I'm not teaching, learning, roasting vegetables, or spending time outside, I'm a psychotherapist in private practice. I frequently use mindfulness tools as part of a broader strategy to help young adults and couples manage stressors, develop healthy relationships and boundaries, and take the next steps towards their goals.
