Leigh was observant and curious about what makes people tic from an early age. As a child, she was a gymnast and dancer craving movement where she felt most at home in her body.
Not long after she rolled out her yoga mat for the first time, she knew the practice of yoga was something that would change not only her life but benefit the lives of the children she served.
To her, yoga is both an art and science where each individual is able to unravel her own inner strength creating a sense of empowerment and freedom. Leigh’s mindfulness practice emerged as she was pregnant with her daughter. Her birthing style included daily meditations which helped her establish a regular practice. With the added challenges of being a mother, wife and entrepreneur she found that her own mindfulness practice has proven to be both necessary and incredibly supportive while navigating life’s struggles.
Leigh has found that her practice allows her to remember what is most important in life- love, kindness and truth.
As a pediatric occupational therapist for over 20 years, Leigh has worked with children with a variety of special needs, in school, hospital and early intervention settings. In addition, has worked with parents from many settings who desire skills so they can best support their children. Leigh is a certified parent coach and has combined over 1,000 hours training in medical therapeutic yoga and hatha yoga, professional trauma training, as well as a 95 hour children’s yoga certification and mindfulness in schools training. In 2008 Leigh had the opportunity to start the non-profit Empowered Minds, former Yoga Kidz, with support from the T-Bonz Foundation. This program brings yoga to thousands of students in Title I schools in Charleston County.
Credentials & Certifications
Master’s in Occupational Therapy: 2001
Trauma Informed Training, Yoga for Youth: Yoga Education 32 Hours
Certified Trauma and Resilience Practitioner: Education
Professional Yoga Therapy Studies Candidate
200-Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training: YogaWell’s Institute of Progressive Therapies
95-Hour Children’s Yoga: Mission Propelle
Radiant Child Yoga, Grounded Yoga, Mini Yogis Children’s Yoga Certifications
Mindful Schools K-12: Mindfulness Certification