For 20 years, yoga has been Vanessa's anchor. Her mat became her sanctuary through a decade of life abroad, where she taught, traveled, and led wellness retreats across the globe. No matter the language or culture, her practice was the unshakable home she always returned to.

​

As a dedicated special education teacher, she personally faced the deep exhaustion of burnout. Yoga didn't just help her cope; it offered a space to pause, inhale, and transform. It became her daily vitamin - a reliable source of inspiration and self-discovery.

​

Her formal training is comprehensive, from her RYT-200 in Kuala Lumpur to a specialized RYT-300 in Vajra Yoga through the US Tibet House. But the true education came from a life of mindful movement in over 40 countries.​ Each trip has changed her. Each place like a book she can't put down. Each conversation (often times through body language) has expanded her mind and developed a type of spirituality. Travel has instilled the belief that we are all interconnected. She believes that what she does in Milwaukee impacts her friends in Cambodia. And most importantly - when we come together in breath, body, laughter, and love across cultures, we create ripples of peace. 

This is why she finds international travel as so powerful on many levels, especially to the practice of a yogi. We gift ourselves space, introspection, and community out of our comfort zone to peel back the layers of our truest nature. On retreat with Vanessa, you can have peace of mind that your trip has been planned with intention to support the local community, eco-friendly practices, and accommodations with vetted retreat centers and operators that provide a safe and comfortable stay. 

​

In 2023, she traded her classroom key for full-time freedom. She created SoulFlow Journeys to share the power of this practice, fusing her passion for yogic ceremony with a love for transformative ecotourism. Let's take our practice beyond the mat and journey toward a greater connection to this breathtaking planet.