Novaum is the power of discovery, and is rooted in the word nova and the sound vam. The word nova has two definitions; a star that becomes many times brighter than it was before, and “new,” a start of something that grows exponentially, like a SuperNova.

“Vaum” was derived from the Sacral Chakra mantra, “vam”, representing creativity, self-expression, playfulness, and a receptivity to learning, which reflects an openness to change.

There is always time and space to learn to shift your perspective and to change a perception, allowing your life to evolve with the passage of time. An open mindset and honest expression, is an invitation to become MORE as self-compassion, love and patience replace self-criticism, apathy and indifference.

We had two daughters – now teenagers – and after my second, I struggled with deep postpartum depression. That’s when I turned to strength training and running. Movement became healing, and I knew I had to share what I was discovering. I earned my B.S. in Health Science, became a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and began training private clients. I worked with women across the country (and a few others), helping them understand how lifestyle, behavior, and exercise intersect to support growth and healing.

After developing chronic plantar fasciitis, I started “stretching” through yoga – and everything changed. Not only did it heal my feet, but it transformed my mind. I found myself becoming more kind and loving toward myself. In a crowded gym, with headphones in, I found a kind of peace I hadn’t known elsewhere. My patience grew- in every area of life – and I had to understand why yoga was shifting me so deeply.

In early 2019, I drove to Salt Lake City, UT for my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training. By the end of it, I knew that my little winter tundra in Idaho – full of young mothers like me – needed yoga. There weren’t any studios at the time, so I opened one.

Since then, I’ve opened a yoga school, earned my 300-hour advanced Yoga Teacher Training, taken multiple other trainings including Pilates, and had thousands of beautiful, painful, and rewarding experiences. That little studio has grown into a community of 28 teachers and has positively impacted thousands of lives. The best part? I see the ripple effect – how each individual brings healing to their families, homes, and relationships. I can’t think of a better way to spend my time and resources.

Something I had to set aside when the studio became a larger part of each day was my one on one training and coaching. I have missed it greatly! I recently decided to open my schedule to help individuals work on themselves and their goals again. Using the wealth of knowledge and experience I have gained to directly make an impact in real-time has been incredibly rewarding.

Around the same time I opened the studio, I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. It changed everything about how I move and gave answers to lifelong questions. It’s shaped my focus on longevity, on minimizing wear and tear, and on managing pain in deeply personal ways – and that shows up in how I create and teach, for the better.

Because of all we’ve learned and lived, we knew it was time to bring our Method to a larger scale. I get to blend my love of strength training with my respect, knowledge, and years of experience teaching yoga and educating new teachers.

It all lives here. For you.

So how did yoga enter the picture? Yoga has been a consistent thread in my life for over 20 years, whether in gyms, online, or studios. But something shifted when I walked into Whitney’s first class in September 2019—I felt a deeper connection that stuck. Yoga became not just something I did from time to time, but an actual practice.

My entire world started to shift and decided I needed to learn more about yoga. While completing my 200-hour teacher training I fell in love with yoga’s history and roots and creating and sequencing classes, but mostly understanding the deeper meaning of it all. I realized this was more than a personal practice for me! With my background in business systems, I partnered with Whitney to help run and grow the studio.

Since then, I’ve completed my 300-hour advanced training and am now a 500-hour E-RYT and YACEP certified teacher. I’m currently continuing my education with a focus on breathwork, restorative practices, and the deeper traditions of yoga. I LOVE learning and have a passion for teaching. I have taught in several capacities throughout my life and come alive when I am sharing something that means a lot to me. I have loved figuring out how to effectively run two physical studios, create meaningful and successful teacher trainings, and now how to translate the feeling of it all in an online space. If I could have told my 20-year old self that I would create a job that combined all my experiences and strengths into one, I don’t know that I would have believed it.

What matters most to me is helping others connect with themselves – whether through movement, conversation, or quiet reflection. And yes, I also happen to love spreadsheets and bringing order to chaos! Building the Novaum Method has been a deeply rewarding journey, and I’m truly honored to share it with each of you.