My Story
Born in the land of the Kumeyaay people, commonly known as north San Diego, California, I was a curious, creative and introspective child. I’ve always been drawn to the performing arts, to philosophy and to mother nature. All of these passions show up in my work today.
In 2007 I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in modern dance at UC San Diego. I then moved to Los Angeles where I enjoyed a rewarding dance career, all-the-while teaching movement to children and adults. I soon began exploring spiritual pursuits I had left behind in college, and in 2013 I started casually meditating after a friend introduced me to guided meditations by Deepak Chopra.
Things changed radically for me in 2016 after the birth of my amazing daughter. Thrown into the trials of postpartum depression, I experienced a “dark night of the soul”, unsure of who I was, where my grounding was, and how to navigate a hurricane of emotions. It was then that I found mindfulness, dove deeper into meditation, and discovered the writings of my teacher, Zen Buddhist master, Thich Nhat Hanh.
When Covid lockdown ensued in 2020, I again found myself feeling overwhelmed by turbulent emotions and a hyper-anxious mind. I doubled-down on my daily meditations, leaned heavily on somatic techniques such as breath work, yoga, Ecstatic Dance and Earthing, and joined a community of spiritually like-minded meditators.
I can honestly say that I would not be here today if it hadn’t been for my meditation, mindfulness and nervous system regulating practices. A believer through personal experience, I know these tools (which have blossomed into ways of being) continue to keep me stable, present and alive to the wonders of the here and now. I know that external conditions do not create my peace and happiness, I do.
Today I live in the land of the Hahamongna, commonly known as Pasadena, California. I practice in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Buddhism as led by Thich Nhat Hanh. I feel the most liberated, the most peaceful, the most like myself than ever before. And it is my passion to help others live from this place too. I believe that everyone is capable of living a conscious, resilient and peaceful life, one mindful breath at a time.
With love and gratitude,
Anna
My Credentials
Completion of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s MBSR Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction 8-week course
Certificate to teach meditation and mindfulness from the School of Positive Transformation
Certificate for Level 1 Mindfulness Training for Kids through Los Angeles based non-profit Worthy Beyond Purpose
Certificate in Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga from the Embody Lab
Certificate in level 1 Sound Facilitating through Los Angeles sound healer, Lila Bassior
Regular attendance at 3, 5 and 7 day meditation retreats held at Deer Park Buddhist Monastery in San Diego county
20 years of combined teaching experience (movement, dance, fitness and meditation)
Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance and Theater from UC San Diego