There are times when we can feel anxious, depressed, stuck or lost in our personal lives, our relationships, or in our careers. Yoga Therapy over the years has been a healing and compassionate practice that has been a trusted friend and consistent presence over the past 9 years of my life's journey. My life was at a crossroads back in 2015.  I found myself disconnected from my body after being diagnosed with infertility and in a high stress season of my career where almost half my year was spent traveling for work,  in and out of airports, hotels and running from meeting to meeting.... I was in a self care and self esteem desert! At 40 years old, I couldn't touch my toes, winded climbing a single flight of stairs and crying most days! ​

 

The year was 2017,( yes, self awareness takes time!)  I felt something stir within whispering, "there must be more to this life". I went online, found a local yoga studio and attended a class.  As I rolled out the yoga mat and landed, what felt like , my first real breath in many years, I felt something I had not felt in many years.....calm... I just started to cry. From that moment, I dove into a journey of healing, self compassion, curiosity and became a student of all things, me.  Through this self exploration, I found an inner joy and light I had never known was possible in the midst of these unexpected paths. I quit my job and began to follow my heart.

 

Chara Yoga and Wellness Collaborative was birthed through my own experiences and passion to help other women identify potential obstacles and long-standing thought and behavioral patterns that may no longer fit. Yoga Therapy can support growth to live more fully, reduce stress, anxiety, and find new ways to navigate major life transitions in powerful new ways.​As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Yoga Therapist, I combine my undergraduate education in Womens Studies and  Master's degree in Counseling Psychology alongside with my training as a, Certified Menopause Coach and Licensed Trauma and Somatic Mental Health Therapist to curate spaces dedicated to the quieting of the mind, developing deeper spiritual connection, and gathering a deeper connection to self and living with authenticity. I personally experience authenticity and finding deeper connections as, falling on my face, dusting myself off, taking risks, and at times failing and trying again!  I am happy to share that I spend time traveling now for fun, not work, have time to create through art, cooking, painting and poetry, laugh and play more than I cry, and have found my own voice and value by embracing my body and relationships in all the forms and unexpected turns that come from being a beautiful, flawed human.​I am honored and excited to share and create space for you in your unique and transformative journey!

 

Love and blessings in the journey, 

Tristen