Yoga didn’t enter my life as a wellness trend, a fitness routine, or a way to stretch more. It came to me in July of 2005, at a moment when everything I understood about stability cracked open.

My father passed away suddenly that summer. He was the youngest of thirteen, so the reality of death wasn’t foreign to me. I grew up watching family members and friends transition throughout my life. But nothing prepares you for the moment grief lands in your own body. That summer, the world felt loud, chaotic, and unfamiliar. I didn’t know what I needed, but I knew I needed something. Some kind of movement. Some kind of anchor. Some way to find balance in a life that suddenly felt unrecognizable.

At FORUM Modern Yoga, we aren’t chasing picture-perfect alignment. We aren’t shaping bodies into angles. We aren’t here to micromanage elbows or shout about where your big toe should be. We’re here for something far more meaningful: your patterns. Because the truth is, alignment doesn’t guarantee intelligence. Patterns do.

At FORUM Modern Yoga, we believe the real magic lies in finding the space, the teacher, and the practice that feels just right for you. No gimmicks. No extremes. Just authentic movement, thoughtful teaching, and space to be human.

Teaching, like practice, should evolve. It’s meant to move, expand, and become more informed as we do. My teaching now comes from deeper study, more intention, and a clearer understanding of what’s effective, not just what’s familiar.

Yoga, like everything else in life, evolves. A modern yoga practice reflects this evolution, it’s a living, breathing approach to movement that adapts to the needs of our present-day bodies, minds, and lifestyles. It’s no longer about rigid rules, outdated cues, or trying to force our bodies into shapes that may have served someone else in another time. Modern yoga is relevant. It’s informed. And most importantly, it’s curious.

Most alignment-based yoga doesn’t account for the simple fact that no two bodies are the same. Our bones are shaped differently. Our joints are structured uniquely. What feels aligned and stable for one person may feel restrictive or even painful for another. Yet the idea persists that there’s a single “right” way to do a pose, as if we all come off an assembly line with identical skeletons.

One of the most profound gifts yoga offers is viveka - the Sanskrit word for discernment or clear seeing. In a world clouded by distractions, misinformation, and spiritual noise, this capacity to perceive truth becomes not just helpful, but essential. Through discernment, we cultivate the clarity needed to live with intention and make choices aligned with our highest selves.

Becoming a yoga teacher is a fulfilling journey filled with growth and transformation. However, it’s not uncommon for teachers, especially in the early stages, to inadvertently shift their focus away from their personal practice, sidelining their commitment to self-exploration and learning. At Forum and Nu School, we recognize the profound importance of remaining a student at heart.

Choosing the right teacher trainer is a pivotal step in your journey as a teacher, whether you're pursuing yoga, fitness, or any other discipline. This decision can profoundly impact your growth, understanding, and ability to connect with your students. Here’s a guide to help you navigate this important choice.

At  Forum, we prioritize the integration of specific mobility techniques into our practice. This approach invites practitioners to move dynamically through different ranges, promoting an environment that nurtures both mobility and strength. Mobility cannot be attained through passive stretching; you develop it through training, under load, under tension and through the full range of motion for the specific joint you’re training.

The greatest  teachers are not those who have all the answers at their fingertips. Instead, the most effective educators are the ones who recognize their limitations and are not afraid to admit when they don’t know something. They possess the wisdom to refer students to alternative studios or instructors better suited to meet their individual needs. This approach fosters a supportive learning environment that prioritizes the well-being of the student above all else.

Yoga is often perceived as a spiritual journey, yet it can sometimes feel performative. With inspirational quotes and elaborate concepts that may seem distant from daily life, the essence of yoga can become obscured. One of the most powerful aspects of yoga is its physical practice, or asana, which provides profound insights into the other limbs of yoga, including the ethical principles known as the yamas and niyamas.

In a world that often prioritizes achievements and external validation, finding true happiness can sometimes feel elusive. For many, the answer lies in an ancient practice that transcends mere exercise: yoga. While it may sound cliché, I truly believe that yoga embodies the essence of happiness. It’s frequently said that yoga is more about inner work than physical exertion, and I resonate deeply with this perspective.

In the world of yoga, there is often a common misconception that extreme flexibility is the ultimate goal, with practitioners striving to achieve deep stretches and advanced poses. However, at Forum Modern Yoga, we approach the ancient practice from a different perspective – one that values sustainability over extreme flexibility. Our focus is on building strength and stability in the body, creating a practice that is not only physically beneficial but also ageless, mindful, and sustainable in the long run.

The concept of an "advanced practice" in yoga can often be subjective and open to interpretation. At Forum Modern Yoga, we view an advanced practice not as a measure of physical prowess or mastery of complex poses, but as a journey towards clarity in our movement, our breath, and our being.

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to get caught up in the routine and lose sight of the potential for growth and self-discovery that lies within each of us. But what if we approached our yoga practice with a sense of curiosity and open-mindedness? Music producer Rick Rubin once said, "The heart of open-mindedness is curiosity," and this simple yet profound statement holds true in the world of yoga.