Welcome!
I'm Valerie Hesslink
“I am not this hair. I am not this skin. I am the soul that lives within.” ~Rumi
When I enrolled in yoga teacher training, I was unsure if I would teach yoga. My intention was to learn more about how to take a few of the shifts and experiences in my yoga practice and deepen them further in my bigger body. What I discovered along the way is a passion to make yoga accessible to all non-conforming bodies. Only near the end of training did I decide that I wanted to share my yoga. That I wanted to help others who were in– bigger bodies, old bodies, stiff bodies, or just bodies that get ignored by the yoga world – to make yoga work for them. My hope is to bring this ease to your practice.
I have spent a few too many years of my life waiting......waiting to lose a few pounds before I was worthy of X Y or Z. I have been in the head-space of struggling with low self-esteem, bad body image and the constant desperate apology and shame that comes with feeling that I’m not sufficient for any of these things.......Yoga changed that for me and the more I delve into this sweet practice, I realize none of that matters if I don't check in with what is right here now. Beautiful imperfections, messy flaws, ample body parts. they are all here. I know what it’s like to finally realize that I am enough, just as I am.
My approach to wellness, is focusing on movement that inspires joy, intuitive eating, and self-care. My aspiration in teaching is to bring a yoga pose to your unique body and not the other way around. I want to help make yoga work for you. Your body deserves no less! Forget squishing yourself into a pose .Your body is not a problem to be solved.
So many things in my life today feel new and fresh and alive again. maybe I'm starting to figure something out mid way through this life and maybe not. But I have stopped worrying about it ALL.THE.TIME. I have embraced owning all that comes up. I have also learned a lot of tools to work through the blocks of feeling completely "stuck" in life and challenges of not being able to fall asleep. I also love practicing and teaching yin yoga and poses that get my body prepared to rest.
I grew up with some pretty serious asthma as a child with a desire to move and a fear to move because I may not find the next breath. When I first started practicing yoga, I finally found more space to fill my lungs with air . because of this knowing how precious breathe can be, I am rather zealous and seek to learn more every day about different breath work practices, anatomy, and the continuous study of movement in the body. What I do know is being in a bigger body can present its own challenges, and I have found so many ways and tools to access a pose.
I thrive on guiding your experience and the sharing in moments of profound successes right along with you. I offer all my teachings from a deeply nurturing and compassionate space. My aim is to empower you to live your life and practice yoga unapologetically – in the body you have today.
I enjoy deep discoveries in yoga with students - even if that is a moment of eye contact, connection, or laughter. I am a big fan of “yoga in unconventional places” like boutiques, coffee shops and heated garages! I often teach affordable, accessible group yoga classes that work for all bodies. I am proud to bring a judgment free- no fuss space wherever that may be for you to explore in class or in a private yoga session.
I honor Yoga as an important mindful practice- but a lot of me comes through as I teach- My hope is you appreciate all the silly. I couldn't imagine teaching without embracing all the mistakes and successes that I have without truly fully, once again returning to home and becoming closer to my true self on an off the yoga mat. Join me for practice!
My approach to wellness, is focusing on movement that inspires joy, intuitive eating, and self-care. My aspiration in teaching is to bring a yoga pose to your unique body and not the other way around. I want to help make yoga work for you. Your body deserves no less! Forget squishing yourself into a pose .Your body is not a problem to be solved.
So many things in my life today feel new and fresh and alive again. maybe I'm starting to figure something out mid way through this life and maybe not. But I have stopped worrying about it ALL.THE.TIME. I have embraced owning all that comes up. I have also learned a lot of tools to work through the blocks of feeling completely "stuck" in life and challenges of not being able to fall asleep. I also love practicing and teaching yin yoga and poses that get my body prepared to rest.
I grew up with some pretty serious asthma as a child with a desire to move and a fear to move because I may not find the next breath. When I first started practicing yoga, I finally found more space to fill my lungs with air . because of this knowing how precious breathe can be, I am rather zealous and seek to learn more every day about different breath work practices, anatomy, and the continuous study of movement in the body. What I do know is being in a bigger body can present its own challenges, and I have found so many ways and tools to access a pose.
I thrive on guiding your experience and the sharing in moments of profound successes right along with you. I offer all my teachings from a deeply nurturing and compassionate space. My aim is to empower you to live your life and practice yoga unapologetically – in the body you have today.
I enjoy deep discoveries in yoga with students - even if that is a moment of eye contact, connection, or laughter. I am a big fan of “yoga in unconventional places” like boutiques, coffee shops and heated garages! I often teach affordable, accessible group yoga classes that work for all bodies. I am proud to bring a judgment free- no fuss space wherever that may be for you to explore in class or in a private yoga session.
I honor Yoga as an important mindful practice- but a lot of me comes through as I teach- My hope is you appreciate all the silly. I couldn't imagine teaching without embracing all the mistakes and successes that I have without truly fully, once again returning to home and becoming closer to my true self on an off the yoga mat. Join me for practice!