My name is Karolyn Clifford and I was born and raised here in SE Idaho. I am a yoga teacher ( soon to be yoga therapist) and in graduate school as an opera singer. I was first introduced to yoga in September of 2010. It has been a part of my life off and on ever since until about mid 2014 when it became an essential part of my life. Where was I introduced to it? It was in sunny San Diego, CA. Why was I introduced to it? I had temporarily moved to San Diego to enter treatment for an eating disorder, struggling with anorexia and bulimia.

        When I was in the depths of my illness (I won't go into details because of the possibility of triggering someone who might also be struggling and reading this), the only thing I knew was depression, anxiety, my very active monkey mind telling me lie after lie, and the very real belief that I wasn't worth anything. I also suffer from body dysmorphic disorder which causes me to see a very distorted version of myself in the mirror.

         What is yoga? It is not a religion and it is certainly not about seeing how much weight we can lose, how strong we can get, or how flexible we can be.

Chitta Vritti Nirodhah is the definition of yoga.

Chitta-mind, universal mind

Vritti-fluctuations/movements

Nirodhah-sensations, control

Yoga is the union of mind, body and soul.

The poses/postures are such a small aspect to yoga. Meditation and pranayama (breath work) also play a key role. The body will grow stronger and more flexible, yes, but the goal is to find the balance that allows us to live a long, and healthy life in our bodies. 

        It has been more than 8 years since I entered treatment and as my yoga practice has progressed so have I. In August 2016, I had an incredible opportunity to receive my 200 hr teacher certification in Bali, Indonesia with the Santosha Yoga Institute.  I am also in the process in getting my Yoga Therapy license and will have that by the end of August 2023.  I found love, I found acceptance, and I found lifelong friends and extended family that helped me to see that I have worth and have something to offer. I have found the peace, the contentment and the quieting of my monkey mind through my practice and a much happier relationship with my body. Within my business name you will see "place of peace". That is to speak to the literal sense, but also an internal sense.

        I am at a point in my journey that I want to share it with all of you amazing and wonderful people!! Everyone and I mean everyone deserves to be happy and have a healthy and loving relationship with themselves and others. I know that I am not alone in my obstacles and we all need people in our lives that we can trust and a safe place to feel and be ourselves as we explore who we truly are.  Yoga is absolutely for everyone!

        I am so excited to have all of you join me, as I get to know each of you and you get to know me, and share in the beautiful journey of stillness, peace, and joy. Life is so good. I know that it is time to tell my story and let people in. What I have found, I want to share with you.

                                        -NAMASTE-

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