Meet Maria
Welcome
I'm Maria, a health coach, yoga teacher, and holistic healing advocate on my own journey of health, healing, and self-discovery.
It is my mission to help heal resilient women who have been through some sh*t, but want to finally shake their anxiety and create a healthier lifestyle - physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
As a young adult, I struggled with alcohol, junk food, and knowing my own self-worth. I was dissatisfied and on track for a breakdown.
Then a traumatic incident hit - as they say... #metoo.
I was unequipped to deal with this considering my circumstances, so I left my job, moved home with my mom, fell into depression, and was diagnosed with PTSD.
I was having horrible nightmares (when I was able to actually sleep), night-sweats, crying spells, lashing out or trembling for no reason at all. I couldn't focus on anything other than all that I had lost in the process (walked away from a great job, friends, and relationship).
I isolated myself from majority of my friends because I didn't want anyone to know what had happened to me.
But it was at my rock bottom that I knew I needed to make some serious changes in order to recover my life.
"Yoga Teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured."
B.K. Iyengar
It was then that I found yoga. It may sound strange to you, if you've not yet experienced the healing capabilities of a yoga practice, but it truly has healed me -- and continues to do so. Keep reading...
I decided to pursue a yoga teacher training with the intention that it would serve as more of a retreat and a way to keep myself focused on something positive.
My training became more like therapy, and in studying the yogic philosophy, I began to uncover the many layers of "me." I began my journey of letting go.
This experience forced me to really tune in and listen to myself - to love myself enough to be deliberate about how I care for my body, and how I interact in my relationships.
Throughout my healing process, I resonated with many different holistic modalities including yoga, meditation, alkaline/plant-based foods, EMDR therapy, and good old fashioned Florida sunshine!
I'm a survivor - but I refuse to identify as a victim. I am RESILIENT AF and I know that things could have taken a major turn for the worse had I not taken matters into my own hands (and with the guidance from my teachers).
I believe I have the keys to releasing negativity both emotionally, somatically (in the body), and mentally. I would be honored to share them with you.
Namaste.
Credentials:
Yoga Alliance RYT-200 -- Key Largo Yoga
Certified Health Coach -- Institute of Integrative Nutrition
Standup Paddleboard Teacher -- H2Yo with Julie Roach
Kids Yoga Teacher -- Kidding Around Yoga
Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Workshop -- Jen Turner, Boston Trauma Center
Mantra + "Yoga of Sound" Intensives -- Anandra George
International Yoga Festival, Rishikesh, India
8 Months Personal Study Abroad, "Wanderlust" Experience: Rishikesh, India; Bali; Thailand;