
For a long time, I was very good at doing yoga.
I showed up on my mat every day. I flowed. I held plank a little too long and tackled every chaturanga (because… achievement). I flaunted the cute leggings and matching sets. I stayed for the extended savasana. On the outside, it absolutely looked like I was living the practice.
But off the mat? I was still rushing. Still striving. Still measuring my worth by how productive I had been before 10am.
Yoga was something I checked off the to-do list.
I’m a third-generation Colorado native, raised by a single mother who modeled grit, resilience, and independence. Hard work was normal. Pushing through was admirable. You handle your business and keep going. And I did.
At the time, I was building a successful career in corporate IT. You know the drill: high expectations, tight timelines, performance reviews, and a calendar that looked like a game of Tetris. I knew how to perform. I knew how to produce. I was an expert in pushing through.
What I didn’t know was how to pause.
Underneath all that forward momentum was a quiet, slightly inconvenient question that wouldn’t go away:
Is this aligned… or am I just going through the motions?
Yoga philosophy (the true ancient wisdom within The Yoga Sutras) began to answer that question and unravel everything I knew to be true.
Through breathwork, meditation, long walks with my dog, and seasons of both burnout and awakening, I started to see that yoga was never meant to stay on the mat. It was meant to shape how I live my life. How I make decisions. How I define success. How I relate to the changing of seasons, internally and externally.
I’ve now been a student of yoga for 14 years. I’m an RYT-500 teacher with over a decade of teaching experience and more than 5,000 classes under my belt.
Little by little, my practice both as a student and a teacher shifted from performance to presence.
And here’s what I learned: the most important shifts didn’t come from simply showing up and doing what's expected of me or my practice.
They come from the wisdom within and our ability to access it.
Learning to live yoga meant listening to my nervous system instead of overriding it with caffeine and willpower. It meant honoring winter chapters of contraction instead of expecting constant growth. It meant redefining success as alignment, not applause from the outside world. It meant choosing rhythm over resistance.
Eventually, yoga stopped being something I did for an hour each day.
It became how I move through my life.
Today, everything I offer—seasonal ceremonies, philosophy-infused courses, women's circles, and so much more—comes from that lived experience.
I don’t teach yoga as choreography or another gold star to earn each day. I teach it as a way of being. A way of living wholeheartedly in whatever season you’re in—whether you’re blooming, unraveling, or somewhere beautifully in between.
If you’re ready to move from doing yoga to living your yoga, I would be honored to walk alongside you as someone who has made the same shift myself.
At the heart of Talon J Yoga is the belief that yoga is more than movement, it's a way of life.
Rooted in ancient wisdom and lived through the lens of my modern Colorado life, my work weaves together yoga philosophy, seasonal awareness, and intentional living to support you in creating a life that feels aligned, soulful, and sustainable.
Everything I offer is grounded in four core values:
Curiosity.
Growth begins with inquiry. Instead of judging our patterns, we gently explore them. Instead of forcing change, we ask better questions. Curiosity softens rigidity and opens the door to awareness. Awareness is where true transformation begins.
Metta (Loving Kindness).
The relationship you have with yourself sets the tone for every other relationship in your life. Through breath, movement, and reflection, we practice meeting ourselves with warmth rather than criticism. Loving kindness is not passive, it's purposeful. It allows us to evolve without abandoning ourselves in the process.
Compassion.
We live in seasons. There are chapters of expansion and chapters of contraction. Compassion reminds us that we are allowed to be human in all of them. My spaces are rooted in nervous system safety and emotional honesty, because real growth happens when we feel deeply supported.
Kama (Joy).
Joy is not frivolous. Kama speaks to pleasure, vitality, and the fullness of being alive. Alignment is not just about discipline and depth; it is also about delight. We are here to inhabit our lives, not rush through them.
Through these values, yoga becomes more than a practice on the mat. It becomes a way of living wholeheartedly in whatever season you are in.
"If you're looking for a space to feel safe, taken care of, and supported, any of Talon's healing offerings (classes, retreats, workshops) are the right option for you to achieve a better sense of balance and healing restoration."
-M.O.
"My whole life I have struggled with feeling like I'm on the outside of a circle looking in and not feeling like I fully belong, no matter what setting I'm in. I went into this ceremony knowing that I was not only welcome, but considered a crucial part of it – that I truly "belonged" and was meant to be there. That is all thanks to Talon, who makes everyone feel like they are the most valued person in the world, but not in a popularity contest kind of way – in a genuine way, where you know that your presence is treasured. At no point did I start to have my fishbowl experience where I'm looking at everyone else belonging – I was fully immersed and able to be fully me, whether I was in a great conversation or just sitting by myself and taking it all in."
-Amanda
"I came into the event feeling run down and stretched too thin, but left feeling like I'd been rehydrated and rejuvenated. I appreciated the opportunity to cultivate these meaningful connections with other like-minded, openhearted women who were there to find the same sense of community and wholeness we sometimes forget to seek out when things get too chaotic in the "real world," in our everyday lives."
-M.O.
Bachelorette Party
"I was hoping to have a mindful moment of our weekend and to feel gratitude for all the special gals in my life — it was that and so much more!!!! It felt so incredibly personal and special. The class was all my favorite things, including some songs that were so special to me. From the poses that I enjoy, to a flow that was all together different than any other class I’ve gone to, I found it easy to be present, which is something I often struggle with. I was not anticipating getting so emotional, but this was the #1 highlight of my entire weekend!"
—Emily, bride
"Talon’s attention to detail for this class exceeded my expectations. She was so incredibly thoughtful and put so many personal touches into this bachelorette class. The bride LOVED it and had so many great things to say after class!"
—Chelsey, bridesmaid
"I am amazed at how gracefully Talon can transition her students and how easy it is to follow along in her class. Her classes are so well done and thoughtful."
—Chelsey, long-time student
"I'm surprised by Talon's attention to detail all the way through class. Her suggestions are always on point and easy to follow online. The energy is real and grounded in both flow or yin."
-Kimberle
"Best yoga class in Denver!"
—ClassPass student
"The instructor was fantastic! The session itself was both energizing and relaxing."
—ClassPass student
"Appreciated how grounding this class was. Always has unique cues that help me connect to my body."
—ClassPass student
If you’ve taken a class, attended a workshop, or worked with me 1:1, I’d love to hear from you! Your feedback helps me refine and elevate the experiences I offer, so I can continue to grow and serve this community with care and intention. Whether it’s a kind word or a constructive insight—thank you for sharing!
Please contact me directly at talon.j.yoga@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
My teaching schedule is listed on my Teaching Schedule page. Class changes or cancellations are communicated through Instagram stories @talonjyoga.
Most of my classes are one hour. I also offer 90-minute classes and 2 hour events for a deeper practice.
We all start somewhere! I wholeheartedly welcome students of all experience levels, from first-timers to longtime practitioners. I offer modifications and variations in every class so you can meet yourself exactly where you are.
Learn more about where to begin in these podcast episodes: common yoga formats + beginner basics.
It depends on your goals and energy level. I often recommend starting with yin yoga classes or an unheated flow for beginners, but personally I began in a 90-minute hot Bikram class... so it truly doesn't matter where you start, just start! And don’t be afraid to explore styles and studios until something feels right.
Learn more about the different styles of yoga and where to begin in these podcast episodes: common yoga formats + beginner basics.
Comfortable clothes you can move in, a yoga mat, water bottle, and an open mind. That's it!
Learn more about where to begin and what to expect in this podcast episode: beginner basics.
No two journeys look the same, but the secret is always consistency. Over time, a regular yoga practice offers increased flexibility, strength, and balance, reduced stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and a deeper connection with yourself and the rhythms of your life.
Your Sunday ritual. Seasonal living, yoga philosophy, moon cycles, and mindset — delivered to your inbox every week. Grab your cup of tea. This one's for you.