I have been practicing yoga for over 20 years, teaching movement for 17 years, and teaching yoga for 13 years. It’s long enough to know that I am not an expert — and for my practice and teachings to evolve many times over.
Always, I invite yoga philosophy into asana, and use body awareness and intelligent sequencing to promote alignment and balance. But now, after 40+ years and two pregnancies, my body’s need for ease and balance has transcended tricks, and my yoga practice co-exists with my career, parenting, and other interests (my latest is my Instagram food blog).
I have performed and taught flow and circus arts since 2006 (now largely retired!), particularly hoop, flag, and fire dancing. I prefer treating my tools as dance partners and love creating a non-verbal relationship with an audience. I co-created Hoop Vinyasa, which uses hoops as tools to expand and deepen our yoga practice.
The inspirational teachers – from so many traditions – who have irrevocably shaped me as a yoga and movement teacher are too many to name. At the same time, I cannot help but share particular gratitude. Susan Creitz nourished my love of movement and taught me to hold space and hold an audience. Gabrielle Roth helped me get out of my head and release to the rhythms. As a flow arts performer I learned from many, but none taught me the art of playful showmanship more than my dear friend Stefan Spins. Fara Marz taught me an unforgettable lesson – the most important qualification to work in his yoga studio was a genuine smile. Isaac Pena’s light-hearted and deep-seated love and intelligent long-flow sequencing has directed my asana practice. Krishna Sikhwal has grounded my yoga practice through nuance in asana and a deep interweaving between philosophy and physicality. And my brother, Jonathan Ziff Sint – now a thoughtful yoga teacher in his own right – constantly makes me understand more as he asks me why.
More specifically, I am Yoga Alliance E-RYT-200, RYT-500 Certified and have completed yoga teacher trainings at Sankalpah in New York (vinyasa) and Rishikesh Yog Peeth in India (hatha). My studies have taken me through pre-natal yoga teacher training (in New York), into other yoga lineages across the U.S. and India (from Iyengar to Acroyoga and so many in between), Thai bodywork (in New York, Laos, and Thailand), and Buddhist meditation (primarily in India).
During business hours, I focus on fundraising and marketing for nonprofit organizations. I am the Vice President of Account and Strategic Services for Sanky Communications, and have over twenty years of nonprofit experience focused on digital fundraising, integrated direct marketing, mid-level fundraising, and events. I am a frequent speaker and nonprofit fundraising and marketing conferences, including NTC, DMA, DMFA, and AFP events. I hold a B.S. in Environmental Science and B.A. in English from Muhlenberg College, an M.A. in Political Science from Lehigh University, and completed the Kinship Fellowship.
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