Hello! I’m Lisa, and I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing community. For the past 15 years, I worked as a public school teacher. My background is in English and history, but in the last four years of my teaching career, my primary focus became environmental education. 

I came to yoga in an effort to find relief when I was diagnosed with a joint disorder that left me with chronic pain in my early 20s. At 24, I found myself in physical therapy three times a week, struggling with pain management and seeking a solution that could restore my quality of life. 

I woke up one day and decided I was going to do something I had never really done before: run. On my journey as a runner, I began to implement yoga for stretching and cross-training. The transformation was nothing short of miraculous. Within six months, I no longer needed physical therapy. 

Yoga didn't just alleviate my pain; it provided a holistic approach to wellness that healed me physically, mentally, and emotionally. This experience ignited a passion within me to share the life-changing benefits of yoga with others.

Two and a half years ago, my life was upended by a difficult divorce. As a newly single mother, I faced significant challenges. Leaving behind a career I loved was heart-wrenching, but I needed to find a new way to support my family. 

As I grew up in a family business, I began working on my MBA through UW Parkside. Business felt like it was a part of my blood, but so did yoga! I was just contemplating how I could build a full-time career with yoga when an email from Inner Fire Yoga that said, "We're hiring!" popped up. It felt like a sign from the universe. 

The trauma from my past, both from childhood and my marriage, has shaped my approach to teaching yoga. I am particularly passionate about trauma-informed yoga, which creates a safe and supportive environment for healing. My personal experiences have taught me the profound impact that yoga can have on overcoming adversity and finding inner peace.

When I'm not at IFY, you can find me with my family. My children, Noah and Cece, are at the center of everything that I do. My fiance and I love traveling, discovering new food, and having breakfast together on the weekend. I am an avid bird watcher and often volunteer for the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance. I serve on the governance board for an environmental charter school in Marquette County. And of course as a former English and environmental educator, I enjoy reading and hiking.