Welcome to My Yoga & Fitness Blog!
20 Apr 2025
Hi there—
I’m so excited to have you here.
My name is Zoe, and I’m a yoga instructor and flexibility coach based in San Diego, California. I created this blog as a space to share my journey and connect with others who are exploring yoga, movement, and personal transformation. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in your practice, I hope you find something here that resonates with you.
A Little About Me
While I have a full post coming next week diving into my fitness journey, I wanted to give you a brief intro to how I got here.
I didn’t really start my fitness journey until my junior year of high school, and since then, I’ve explored a little bit of everything. When I moved from Ohio to California, I fell in love with hiking. I wasn’t trying to change my body—but the passion I had for being on the trails led to the most physically transformative time of my life.
One day, while scrolling Groupon (as any broke, freshly-transplanted Californian might), I came across a deal for aerial silks classes. I convinced a friend to join me—and I was instantly hooked. I trained for a few months and loved the strength I was building, especially in my upper body.
That’s where I met my first contortion instructor. I didn’t know it then, but this was the true beginning of my yoga journey. I had dabbled in yoga before—YouTube videos in college, the occasional LA Fitness class—but this was something deeper. In contortion, I saw what my body was capable of, and I felt a kind of pride I’d never experienced.
Unfortunately, after a spinal injury that took a few months to heal, I found myself traveling too often for work to continue training. That’s when I stumbled back into yoga.
I took my first real yoga class at a Yoga Box in Austin, Texas, and immediately fell in love with the challenge, the energy of the room, and the space to modify poses to satisfy my love for deep stretching. I continued practicing at studios all across the country during my travels.
Eventually, a friend offered me the opportunity to take part in a self-paced, online teacher training. It felt like the universe was nudging me forward. I was stuck in a job that left me drained, broke, and constantly stressed—and this training became a light in that chaos.
I completed my yoga teacher training while guiding coworkers and my husband through classes, and slowly, yoga began transforming not only my body but my entire outlook. It became a space to reconnect with myself, create healthy boundaries, and reclaim peace in the midst of overwhelm.
What Yoga Has Given Me
Yoga helped me heal from disconnection with my body.
It gave me presence when I felt ungrounded.
It gave me self-respect when I needed it most.
Over time, my practice deepened, and I came to understand that yoga isn’t just about the poses—it’s a way of living. On and off the mat, yoga can be a source of clarity, peace, and transformation.
Now, as a yoga teacher, I’m passionate about guiding others across that same threshold. My goal is to be a relatable, down-to-earth resource for anyone who's ready to explore how yoga can ripple through every part of life.
So, What’s This Blog All About?
This blog is a place where I’ll share:
Stories from my own journey—from my first split at 21 to touching my forehead with my toes years later
Flexibility and mobility tips
Ways to weave yoga into your everyday life
Thoughts on yoga philosophy and personal growth
Honest reflections on what’s worked for me (and what hasn’t!)
I’m not here to give you a list of rules. Instead, I’ll offer experiences and suggestions that you can try, adapt, or leave behind. Take what speaks to you and make it your own.
Whether you’re a total beginner, someone returning to the mat after time away, or already deep into your practice—I hope you’ll find something here that inspires you.
Expert and Beginner at the Same Time
With a contortion background, I often feel like I can physically access most poses with a little practice and curiosity. But at the same time, I’m still very much a student of yoga philosophy—learning how to bring its principles into my everyday life.
So in a way, I’m both an expert and a beginner.
And honestly? That’s one of my favorite things about yoga.
Trauma-Informed Yoga
While this won’t be the main focus of the blog, I also plan to share about trauma-informed yoga and how it helped me rebuild a relationship with my body after past experiences.
When I first started, I had no idea yoga would become such a tool for healing—it just unfolded that way. I’d love to be a reference point for anyone who’s looking for that kind of support, and to help foster a sense of community around that experience (if it feels right for you).
My Motto: Bend, Breathe, Be
“Bend, Breathe, Be” isn’t just my slogan—it’s how I live.
Bending brought me back to my body when I felt far away from her.
The breath helped me focus, stay present, and just be.
Through yoga, I’ve learned to release the past, stop obsessing over the future, and finally live in the now. It’s been the most powerful tool I’ve found for managing anxiety and cultivating presence.
With that, my days feel like they have more hours, and my years feel like they have more days.
I know what it’s like to feel dissociated and disconnected.
If I can help even one person reconnect, that’s everything.
Join the Journey
If anything I’ve shared resonates with you—if you’re curious, inspired, or just want to see what comes next—I’d love to have you in my community!
👉 You can subscribe to my newsletter on my website for updates on new blog posts and videos.
👉 Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for quick inspiration and tips on how to bring yoga into your daily routine—without flipping your whole life upside down.
👉 And of course, feel free to comment, DM, or email me anytime. I’d love to hear from you, answer questions, or chat about your practice.
In the comments below, let me know: Where are you at in your yoga journey right now?
Are you a beginner, an experienced yogi, or a little of both—just like me?
Thank you so much for being here.
I’m honored to share this space with you.
Yoga Always,
Zoe 💛