I am glad you have come to my website!

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In my work with others, I like to address the pertinent questions that many of us are asking in our current environment.  One big one is, "How can I make a difference in this world?"

 

I'm 73, but at any age, another question may be, "What Now?"

and the two questions go hand in hand.

 

By working with ourselves- our thoughts, and the actions that come from thoughts- we can make a difference.   

 

Let me tell you a little about my background.

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I have always been drawn to wanting to know more about people, and have been exploring the psychology of our minds, and emotional intelligence, as well as exploring a spiritual intelligence and something that exists beyond this material world.

 

As a young person growing up in the hills above the city of Los Angeles, I was drawn to quiet stillness in nature, or my room, away from the noises and hubbub of city life. I would often take long walks in the hills, and sit quietly in meditation, without knowing that was what it was called.

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In the summer of 1965, I was 13. I looked out the window at the city one evening, and saw Watts burning.

I thought, what is happening?

I saw my boyfriend go to war.

I wondered, "How can I help?"

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I explored lots of different types of music including protest anti-war music, and the rock scene, and of course the Beatles, and found myself drawn to various forms of consciousness, including reading about the early gnostics, saints and mysticism.

 

In the late 60's, during this time of strife in our country, like so many teens and young people of that era, I was discovering spiritual states of Higher Consciousness and came into knowing a connection with Loving Awareness. I worked alongside others to help the peace and love effort.

 

This was all a precursor to my studies with many Asian and western teachers of several traditions, including Buddhist and Hindu traditions. 

 

I have a Bachelor's degree in English from UC Berkeley, and a Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University. While interning with many organizations, I was particularly drawn to working with grief, loss, death and dying and had the honor of working with Hospice for a time, and this has been an emphasis throughout my life. 

 

I became a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist in private practice, retiring as a LMFT last year in 2024.  

 

During my 30 years as a therapist, I received my certification as an Integrative Yoga Teacher, and a teacher and guide in Yoga Nidra/Integrative Restoration (iRest) Meditation, thus unifying my psychological and spiritual background with mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR), somatic therapy, research based yoga therapy and Buddhist psychology.

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Now, I teach and guide many forms of healing including meditations like Yoga Nidra, Loving Kindness, and other healing meditations, gentle hatha yoga asana, 

and I love to introduce play, throat sounds/music, and dance as a medium to express joy and other emotions through movement and sound.

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I have been influenced by many teachers from many communities.

Jean Grant Sutton,  has been not only my consistant yoga teacher for over 30 years, but also a dear friend and I am honored she asked me to assist her in her first Integrative Yoga Teacher Training, and to co-lead yoga retreats.

Other teachers who have been influential include TKV Desikachar, Erich Schiffman, Richard Miller, Jack Kornfield, Adyashanti, Fred Rogers, Gabrielle Roth, and so many others over the years, and a particularly familial relationship with Ram Dass who I met through my husband and the dear Satsang with Neem Karoli Baba. I honor Buddha, Jesus, Jewish tradition, and an eclectic mix of spiritual loving communities.

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In addition, I want to honor the two therapists I was fortunate to be with over many years. Gratitude to my first therapist, Mandy Aftel, for her insights while I was going through a major life transition at 29, and who planted the seed in me to become a psychotherapist. After her retirement, I sat with the compassionate and highly perceptive Sam Kimbles, former president of the Jung Institute in San Francisco, whose questions and explorations led to many life changing discoveries and inspired my work with Buddhist psychology. ​

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You can see the classes and other events I offer under the heading Classes.

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My hope is that you will join in classes and events with me so that we can work together through various healing techniques and practices, to heal ourselves, and have a positive influence on each other--all of us.

Let's join together to be a Force for goodness, awareness, loving kindness, peace and freedom.

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Here's more about me if you want to keep reading :)

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I am grateful. 

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Often my day, or at least part of my day, is spent creating something, moving in one way or another -dancing spontaneously, taking brisk walks, and yoga asana, gardening, and  spending a couple hours now and then with my youngest grandchild from time to time. 

I paint, create sculptures and collages, read books, write prose and poetry.

 

As a photographer for over 40 years, I often sit quietly breathing, meditating, in front of trees, flowers, water, and sky and catch glimpses of light and life in the moment.​

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My husband Mark (Gangadhar) and I play music together. He plays tabla (Indian drums) and I play the tamboura for both Classical Hindustani music, and kirtan, which is devotional chanting, in a call and response format. 

 

Mark has played for over 50 years, with many musicians, including Peter Van Gelder, Ben Kunin, Steve Oda, and kirtan leaders Jai Uttal, Uma Reed, Mirabai Warkulwiz, Mary Menninger, and Mangalananda,

 

  In addition, we play in a completely different genre with our friends David on guitar and harmonica (a super composer), Mark on keyboards, and Trish and me as vocalists with percussion, in a more folksy/rock type band we call the Loveheads. I also sing gospel music with the wonderful Benjamin Mertz in Joyful Noise.​​​​

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I am particularly grateful for my family and  extended family, friends and students.

You are all my teachers.

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