Kate is a yoga, meditation, and improv teacher, and a lifelong student of all three disciplines.

Kate took her first yoga class at a retreat center in rural Oregon where her mom had taken her to try and chill her out. It didn’t work.

At least, it didn’t work right away. She remained a stressed-out, ego-driven 18-year-old, and continued down that path for the next 23 years or so. BUT the yoga seed was planted, and she kept finding herself in classes, workshops, retreats, eventually teacher training…. because the practice brought her more peace and calm every time she came back to it. Her practice has evolved from fiery, fast, and physical (see: CorePower Yoga. She first trained there and still loves it lots) to more measured and still physical (see: Ashtanga, which she still practices with her teacher Christine Hoar) to something more languid, kind, even…. fun?! Are we allowed to do that in yoga? These days she approaches her physical practice with a lot of humor and kindness toward her body, and hopes to share that with every student who practices with her.

Kate’s physical practice eventually led her to the meditative branches of yoga, and she started to practice vipassana meditation. Then she got divorced and quit drinking…. and she started to practice for real. Meditation was the most critical tool in her recovery toolkit, and has taught her acceptance, allowing, softening, and leaning into difficulty instead of retreating into distraction and addiction. She teaches meditation in the insight and loving-kindness traditions, and wants to share these practices with the whole wide world if they’re cool with that.

Last but not least came improv comedy. In comedy, there’s a thing called the “rule of threes” where things are funnier if you do them three times. So naturally, improv came third. Kate moved to DC to start a new job and a new relationship and decided to take a class to meet people and have some fun. She was hooked from the first moments - instantly drawn to the thrill of being on stage without a script. The connection between mindfulness and improv seemed clear - both require you to show up fully in the moment with kindness and curiosity. She sees meditation and improv as complementary practices that strengthen each other the more you practice each, and thinks you totally should do both.

She was born in California, raised in Oregon, and has lived in lots of places but the best one was Maui, let’s be honest. She lives in Washington, DC with her partner, two cats, and nine (absolutely thriving) plants.

CERTIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS

Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, Class of 2021

Yoga Alliance, RYT 500

Prison Yoga Project, Volunteer Teacher, 2017 to present

Washington Improv Theater, Teacher & Performer, 2011 to present

Reiki, First Degree Certification, Usui System of Natural Healing