Shannon fell in love with yoga as a teenager. She found it was one of the only places were everything felt right. It was the only place where the chaos of the “real world” fell away, and she started to open her eyes to a new existence. Not quite understanding what she was feeling at 16, she knew she needed to explore more. One evening, when her teacher read a quote stating, “control your mind and you control your circumstance”, she realized the immeasurable power of the practice. After 9 years of self examination and a five day retreat in the jungle of Thailand, Shannon knew teaching was the next step in the process.

She a M.S., and two (2) Yoga Alliance 200 hour certifications through Pure Hot Yoga in Springfield, Missouri and Brown Dog Yoga in Belleville, Illinois. She is also a Reiki Level 1 practitioner. Shannon has an enveloping passion and innate curiosity for learning more about yoga and associated practices.

As both a graduate and undergraduate student in psychology, she developed research projects investigating benefits of mindfulness, yoga, and additional contemplative practices in education. Shannon explored scientific evidence suggesting the advantage of using these on the physical, mental, and spiritual level, and she highly values empirical endeavors of these practices. During her time at university, she specifically studied the use of mindfulness meditation and free writing to reduce test anxiety. She witnessed just how quickly implementing introspection can impact students.

Shannon has a thirst for knowledge and has been able to connect with various practitioners by attending conferences, workshops, and retreats around the world. She has sought out various experiences, such as studying Vipassana meditation in Thailand, being in the presence of and listening to the Dalai Lama speak in Boston, meditating with Jon Kabat-Zinn, practicing yoga in the jungles of Costa Rica and Bali, turning inward in the desert at Joshua Tree, and experiencing a Lakota sweat lodge ritual in Michigan. Most importantly, she has recognized that no matter where she is at, spiritual connection and people who pursue this path in life always feel like home (even when being thrust outside our comfort zones!)

Shannon believes the aspect of growth and connection is what makes yoga unique. She seeks to hold space for both new explorers and those who have already dove into the depths. She knows that every interaction is a learning experience for both the guide and the traveler. Shannon is passionate about inspiring others to seek freedom of expression within their yoga practice and tap into the wild spirit that resides within all of us.

In the words of brilliant Mary Oliver, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”