Allie’s Story
Since the day I stepped foot into that Los Angeles Bikram Yoga studio as an unhappy young woman suffering from a debilitating eating disorder, low self-esteem, and other addictive behaviors, the pursuit of happiness through this ancient spiritual practice fast became the center of my existence.
For fifteen years, I have been a practicing Nicherin Buddhist and a dedicated practitioner of traditional methodologies of Hatha, Ashtanga-vinyasa, Bikram and Therapeutic Yoga. I teach what I practice and I am able to motivate people of all abilities and levels. In my classes, workshops, and private sessions, you will see me sharing . . . my knowledge and offering individual guidance to enable people to develop and work through their circumstances. Through a yoga practice you will have better tools to develop your life, cultivate inner strength, and ultimately realize your own potential.
I am an ordinary woman carrying out a human existence that is healed beyond what I imagined was possible. I believe in individual sovereignty and cooperation, the power of creative expression, in the practice of yoga and in never giving up. I believe in practicing the correct technique with the right amount of effort. The most important thing I know from experience is that we all have the power to create lives for ourselves that reflect the content of our heart’s desires if we base our actions in society on human happiness and individual empowerment. I believe the ripple effect of a single person’s life can heal the universe.
My yoga journey began in 2005 and has taken me to India and all over the United States including Portland, Los Angeles, Seattle and Birmingham to teach, train, study and practice with some of the best teachers in the world. I am happy to be back home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest teaching Hot Bikram Yoga and Ashtanga-vinyasa Yoga at local yoga studios in Portland and Vancouver.
Beginner Level
For those with 0-2 years experience with a yoga practice. We meet for one private session per week for 3 weeks. My philosophy is to enable my clients to facilitate some structure and achieve real change.
The first 3 sessions include:
Getting to Know You. Understanding your challenges and limitations, seeing your body and how it responds to awareness and learning.
Choosing an Asana System that Works for You & Basic Training. This includes how to do the poses, what it means to do it the right way, and some mindset training.
Pranayama 101. Breath Control Education and Training.
Spinal Alignment, Basics of Biomechanics, & Basics of Physiology. You will understand why you are doing what you are doing. Understanding “why” and “how” yoga works seems to help new students cultivate momentum and a sense of personal responsibility for facilitating real change. Also (particularly for patients of the clinicians and healers with whom I work and for people who are working with trauma on any level) we will address how to work with your “fight or flight” mechanism so you can understand and practice how to “move without fear.”
Accountability. Together, we will create a check-in system so you have the amount of support you actually need to make the changes you desire. This looks different for everyone, so it’s important that together we create a system that will work for you.
Intermediate Level
This level is designed for people who have already established a consistent yoga practice. Consistent can mean twice a week or daily. Also recommended for athletes who are seeking support through yoga (either for a specific event or general enhancement)
. The first 3 sessions include:
Getting to Know You. Understanding your challenges and limitations, seeing your body and how it moves.
Working on Your Practice. We focus on using the correct technique and mindset training. Practicing the right way. Learning and integrating proper biomechanics and proper breath technique to better achieve a state of yoga in your movement practice.
Pranayama 101. Breath Control Education and Training.
Spinal Alignment, Basics of Biomechanics, & Practical Physiology. Understanding how the body parts move together for cultivation of strength, stability, and improved flexibility. Promoting positive psychology using your physical body as a means to feeling better on all levels as your “new normal.” Understanding the breath and how to use your breath to improve your practice. Looking at the Yogic Approach to healing from trauma.
Encouragement & Questions. I am available for touching base, for support and encouragement and answering questions to fill in the gaps as you work and overcome hurdles. This helps you move to the next level in your practice.
Advanced Level
This level is designed for people who have a consistent mind-body practice. Yogis who have a 5-6x per week regular yoga practice and want support in moving to the next level. This offering is less structured than Beginner and Intermediate levels, but will likely include elements of the Intermediate level based on what we discover as we work together. Also this offering is ideal for individuals who wish to start competing.
Certainly, we will address specific postures that challenge you, and functional movement as it relates to asana, pranayama, bandha, drishti, and advanced asana practice. Depending on the practitioner’s needs, we may work to cultivate a deeper understanding of the value of having a practical personal philosophy upon which you build your physical practice and train your mind.
Testimonials
“Allie and I met, when she was learning from and changing the yoga landscape in Birmingham, AL. She has an infectious energy and openness that made me want to get to know her better. In her I found a worldly, well-rounded, deep, and loving soul who gives of herself freely for the betterment of all who know her. Not only that, but she has great knowledge of what she does, along with the willingness and determination to expand upon that knowledge.
Shortly after we met, we developed a work exchange where I would do design work for her; she, in turn, would instruct me in Ashtanga yoga on an individual basis. With her fine eye and expertise, she guided me in ways that helped me have a better understanding of my body, enabling me to grow into my practice more deeply. She has a way of expanding boundaries and encouraging you to the next level, without surpassing your limitations. It was, also, a privilege to practice alongside her, at the studio; she has a beautiful yoga practice that is inspiring to watch.
I would work with this light of a woman any day and am grateful to have experienced her presence for the short time we both lived in Birmingham. in a nutshell, Allie rocks!”
– Michelle Montbertrand, graphic designer
“Allie always offers a great yoga class; and in addition you can expect to receive her insightful knowledge of yoga philosophy.”
– Del Del, fine artist
“Ashtanga yoga has been amazing for me Within months, my body has become so much stronger and is opening up in ways I thought would take years if ever. Allie has shown how many of my physical limitations are actually my own mental resistance. I've also learned that Ashtanga isn't so much about obtaining goals as it is about trusting in the process. Thank you, Allie; for “trusting the process” is now helping me through an incredibly difficult life situation.”
– Gabriela Ylonen, former corrections deputy
“Allie provides impeccable service. In 2015, our treatment team aimed to seek a professional to engage the substance abuse population in receiving the therapeutic benefit of yoga with recovery. We were more than grateful to have Allie demonstrate therapeutic benefit of yoga! In my experience in agency counseling, there are not many professionals that offer a service like Allie does. (Her) integrity is unparalleled and unmatched. Anyone that is blessed to learn a service from Allie is receiving a life-long treasure! She is passionate, dedicated, and caring. We miss her abundantly in our city!”
– Matt, director of clinical services for a substance abuse clinic
“Allie has been absolutely solid help in my life seeking relief from scoliosis and sciatica. I decided to try hot yoga for back pain and pushing the discipline of Bikram yoga, she has consistently offered practical adjustments to my poses that are custom tailored to my spine. These adjustments were necessary and have helped with the healing of my back to bring me to the next level of total spine health. She offers encouragement in both yoga and life. Her trips to India and consistent devotion to yoga give her a unique perspective in the art of custom tailoring yoga recovery plans for each individual. Allie is simply a wonderful person to be around and I highly recommend her for any of your yoga needs.”
– Joe Gunderson, electrician (And to be honest, I wouldn’t be working as an electrician without Allie Yoga!)
“I had the opportunity to take private Zoom online lessons during COVID-19 with Allie in April-May 2020. In this short time, I learned so much. Allie’s approach to teaching by incorporating what I would say was an anatomy lesson really helped me to understand my body, the way it moves and how I can use this information to better my postures. This is an approach I have never experienced, and I have attended local posture clinics in the past. Even just the simplest thing like understanding how to ground yourself so you can lift your body and hold your stance was so amazing to learn. I always just thought I needed to be stronger to hold my stance, but really, I needed to position my feet, legs, hips and upper body right. It was really eye opening for me and couldn’t even begin to explain how wonderful these sessions felt to me. I recommend Allie for any yoga programs and classes. Her dedication as a teacher really shined through our sessions, and I feel she can bring this to any yoga studio or program that is willing to have her.”
– Yvonne Sablan, executive assistant
“Allie's genuine deep desire to help people heal shines through in all that she does! Allie meets people where they are and works with them from there. She has a vast knowledge of yoga and physiology that is incredibly insightful and helpful in the practice. Most of all, Allie is an absolute delight to be with. She is caring, approachable and a joy to work with!”
– Tamara Herdener, organization builder/strategic consultant/fundraiser
“I scheduled a private session with Allie when I felt like I needed something to re-motivate me and my yoga practice. The session provided so much more than I had anticipated. Allie introduced some subtle and yet powerful tips that have made my practice feel like a new and wonderful thing. My practice has become fun and meaningful in a whole new way. I use what she taught me not only for yoga postures, but any kinds of movement I do; swimming, running, and simple posture adjustments during the day.
Allie is simply one amazing teacher. One thing we all know at the studio, when Allie teaches a class we are going to learn something new; about a posture and about life. It is what keeps me always coming to her uplifting and joyful classes. You will leave her class knowing that it was hard and loving it even more.”
– Ami Brimhall, artist
“Yoga has helped me learn to breathe better both literally and figuratively. I’ve exercised and participated in athletics my entire life, but discovering the benefits and beauty of approaching health more holistically and even lovingly was powerful. In addition to the physical benefits, I’ve had success processing anxiety and emotional pain. The right teacher can truly make a difference in the experience. Allie has taught me for over a year, and she was able to challenge and encourage me to draw out deeper strengths in myself. Allie’s passion and ability in yoga offers students an exceptional guide for people to safely grow—mind, body, and spirit. As a male, I am glad to have a teacher that approached me as an individual. Allie has a unique instinct to coach students to experience breakthroughs and transformation.”
– Jason Sutton, COO/general manager/landscaping company