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That's right, for a long time I hated the taste of tea

 

I hated most things about myself. The negative self talk (one that I didn't put there) played on repeat. To cope, I numbed - through partying, alcohol, toxic relationships, business...you name it. I did everything I could to avoid slowing down, because when I did, I crashed, stuck in a state of depression. I'd burnout, crumble, fall apart, put myself back together and repeat the cycle over and over again. 

 

Until one day, I had enough. I was sick of my own self sabotage, my avoidance of turning inward, my inability to discover who I really, authentically was. 

 

So, I went to a single Yoga class and came out rebirthed. I remember leaving the class, driving home and seeing a bird out my window. The scene a similar one, but usually, I was too strung out on the viscous thoughts swirling through my mind to notice my surroundings, until stillness made me see what I was missing. 

 

That’s why I believe in the importance of that first step. That moment when you’re ready to take control of your life and aim it in the direction of your choosing. The excruciating beautiful moment you decide to reconnect with your most authentic self. 

 

That first step lead me to another and then another until I was on this journey of self discovery. I fell head over heals in love (literally) and I fell hard, right into the arms of all things wellness. I embraced Yoga and wanted to dive deeper into better understanding its true meaning.

 

In the frustrating process of trying to “perfect” my practice, I realized I was missing the whole point. I humbly realized that there was no way to ever “perfect” yoga. Yoga is a never-ending practice because every day we, (ourselves, our beings, our bodies) are different and everybody's body is different. Yoga is not just a practice of poses, but a practice of life.

 

Wanting to expand my training, in 2012, I left everything behind for a month long intensive Teacher Training in Costa Rica. I earned my 200 Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) approved through Yoga Alliance. During this journey, I discovered that my Dharma, my destiny, was to enrich the lives of others through authentic Yoga.

 

This was not the end of my learning journey, in fact it was just the beginning. I threw myself into teaching, becoming recognized as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT). From 2014-2016 I opened, owned and operated a successful yoga studio, called Bending Branch Yoga. I created a community that felt warm, inviting and safe. During this time, I realized other health & wellness modalities complimented my yoga practice. 

 

In 2015, I completed a Therapeutic Thai Yoga Bodywork training with Michael Sitzer, a National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork approved educator. In 2016, I studied Yin Yoga with Douglas Johnson.

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In 2021, I became a Holy Fire® Reiki Master Teacher (RMT) through the International Center for Reiki Training. In 2022, I completed a Positive Psychology Health and Well-Being Coach training, meeting the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) requirements to become a National Board Certified Heath and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). In 2023, I finished my 500 RYT through Yoga Medicine® and undergrad in Psychology with a focus on mental health.

I am currently attending graduate school to become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. 

 

I’ve been on this health, wellness and well-being journey for about 15 years, have taught for over a decade and am now at a place where I can turn down the volume of the negative self talk. It still pops up, will most likely never go away, but thankfully I know how to respond to it with grace, curiosity, acceptance and can FINALLY say

 

I F**KING LOVE MYSELF

 

Let me be your guide on this journey. Let me hold space for all the perfectly imperfect parts of you. Let me help you find the light, when it gets dark. I'm your Well-Being Guide: Your Guide towards being well .I'm here whenever you're ready.

 

Rest in Your Radiance,

 

Nicole Starr