A Little Background

I was born in 1960 in Corpus Christi, Texas. I have been moving and creating my whole life. I began dancing at 5 years old and teaching dance at 16 years old. Then, I attended the North Carolina School of the Arts and eventually The San Francisco Art Institute where I received my Bachelors in Fine Arts. Many of my art pieces have been about movement, our connection to nature, inner wisdom and the infinite soul. I have loved photography, painting, collage, making alters, mandalas, playing music and making symbolic jewelry. I created artistic handmade jewelry, as a business, that was an expression of the sacred. However, after 10 years, I came to a deep understanding that I wanted my life to be about service to others rather than creating a product. This led me to social work. I received my Masters in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA and have had a wealth of experience working with both individuals and groups in psychotherapy. My experience also includes leading groups in anger management class, substance abuse management, women’s support groups and men’s support groups.

I have actively been practicing meditation since 1993 and Hatha Yoga since 1995.

My yoga classes are focused on alignment, flexibility, strength, and breath, with conscious weaving in of gratitude and joy! I am a graduate of the 200 hour teacher training course through Charlottesville Yoga School. I believe that practicing and teaching yoga is a joyful, spiritual, challenging, grounding, and heart opening journey. 

I have had amazing teachers along my path for dance, art, tai chi, yoga, meditation, and Buddhism. I am thankful to each teacher who has (or is) helping me be balanced, mindful, and intuitive on this wondrous journey.


My family life is amazingly loving and demanding. My husband and I have two children. Our youngest is nearly symptom-free after having a developmental regression several years ago that was diagnosed as autism when she was 17 months old. Our son has Down syndrome, autism, hearing impairment, gastrointestinal issues, and an amazing soul which is timeless. Having these children has insisted that I become more grounded, continually present, and more genuine and courageous than I ever imagined I could be. I am completely thankful for their presence in my life. Our web site, RumiandZolasRising.org has more information on our travels with our children, if you are interested.

The classes that I offer are the culmination of all the things I love, which makes me very happy to share them with you! Together we can explore, be guided by inner wisdom, have fun and connect more deeply to Spirit and Joy!

Namaste, Sat Nam, and thank you,
Ursula