ABOUT LEO
“I want to know that I am leaving some sort of positive impact on this world. It is go time; our time on this planet is unfortunately limited and in order for me to create change that I want to see I have to start yesterday. My platform for cultivating positive change is through yoga and fitness, through physical and spiritual practice. Yoga is a discipline to improve or develop one’s inherent power in a balanced manner. We are all-powerful and have the ability to change our own lives and others. Take everything away from us; our clothes, social status, skin color, etc. and we are one. Rooting for each other seems like a no brainer because at the end of the day all we have is each other.”
B.S. Kinesiology / CSCS / CF L1 / 200HR RYT
My fitness journey began the summer of my sophomore year of high school. Growing up I was the chubby kid who loved to play sports and be active but had a hard time saying no to seconds, and thirds. I wanted to make the varsity soccer team, so I decided it was time for a big change. Months went by, hard work was put in and 75 pounds later, I was a new person with a new outlook on life. Exercising and eating clean became more than just something to do get in shape; it quite frankly became a lifestyle. Once in college, I decided to pursue a major that would allow me to continue my passion for health and fitness, I graduated from Westmont College in 2018 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology. Soon after college, I took on clients and began private training. I love working one on one with individuals, as it is a time for both of us to ground down and work. Furthermore, I also thrive on group style training and the energy it brings to my life.
My brother, who ironically has yet to take my class, introduced yoga to me. Fast-forward 6 years and yoga continues to be a central part of my life. Yoga to me now is so much more than just a physical practice I have learned so much about who I was and who I wanted to be. I like to live the same way that I show up on my mat, authentically, fearless, and fun. I keep it real when it comes to teaching, I show up as myself and never put up a front, it is so freeing to teach and to experience yoga from the other side, no matter what I always finish with such a great appreciate for this beautiful practice. Because of those that come to class and allow me to do what I love, I show up better for the world.
It’s been my dream for a while now to open my own yoga studio. My mission and goal for the studio is to continue to cultivate change. I will create a space that is inclusive to ALL. To be blunt, most yoga studios lack diversity and are mainly white dominant. That is a barrier I will work hard to breakdown. I want people that look like me to come into the studio and see people like themselves practicing, being apart of a community that is bigger than themselves. I will allow the teachers that teach here to express themselves fully, a place where their creativity is fully embraced and supported. I will create a space that invites in all ideas and conversations that are hard to digest but have to be had. We will do work for the community and when one of our members decides to part ways because they feel the need to give a different place of fitness a try, we will NEVER treat that person with repent or hate. Rather, we will encourage them and cheer them on as they take a leap in a different direction. After all, that’s what we want right, personal growth? Will I be opening this studio this year? Realistically, for many reasons no. For now continue to follow along, this journey has just begun and I am so excited to have you along for the ride.