I have formally been a teacher since I was about 20, when I became an assistant teacher in the preschool at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. A great debate in early childhood circles was (is still ?): "Does the curriculum need to adjust to fit the child who is entering school for the first time, or does the child need to meet the demands of the curriculum?" The critical nature of this dilemma for influencing the child's entire learning experience came at a time when I was, myself, forming vital ideas for my direction in life. Satisfying the curiosity, I attended Erik Erikson Institute for a master's degree program in child development.

In the graduate program at Erikson I realized that the whole spectrum of cycles of human development similarly place the individual in potential tension with her milieu as she needs to meet the demands of the situation, or, the various actors and elements in her environment respond to the uniqueness of her needs and personality. Of course as we mature there is often a balance to be struck. However in preschool, coming to school has a whole huge set of demands in itself. So I came down on the side of responding to the child's uniqueness and I learned to make as much space as I could for what each child brought to the class. I fortunately had excellent guidance and mentoring in this.

Leaving Chicago was a great adventure, difficult and challenging as well. Leaving the familiar friends and environment, without a structure or framework (like a definate job or school program) was a huge step. Many of my obstacles were within myself. (Surprise! Surprise!) In 1990 when I discovered yoga, I was navigating some of the deepest difficulties of my life. I was feeling isolated in Connecticut, since I had not yet developed a network of support to hold me through my stresses. Through the crucible of the relationship I was in, I faced some painful truths about who, why and how I was, and I was not too happy about it. Through yoga I was able to find the self-compassionate way toward the changes I wanted to make. The Kripalu approach to witness consciousness was the most powerful tool I had ever encountered for making internal changes! I was able to move ever so slowly toward a direction that made sense to my heart as well as my mind. The vital impact of finding the compassionate heart of yoga when I fiercely needed reliable guidance was critical to who I have been able to become: as a partner and friend, a teacher, as a human being. The guidance is from within. The yoga practices just clear out the obstacles to hearing, feeling and seeing it.

So from the time of my earliest teaching experiences, my foundation philosophy has been to favor that which nurtures the individual. The approach of Viniyoga is a parallel of this paradigm in yoga-how do I match my student's needs most closely so that her own inner light is kindled, and she can take flight with her own initiatives & interests? Simple, but not always easy! How do we learn to get out of our own way? I was fortunate enough to see myself creating much of my own miserable struggle, and to begin-just begin- to release myself from it. In western society, demands of the social and physical environment have overrun the individual's authenticity and vitality far too much.