Nikki discovered yoga in 1992 while studying Sociology & Math at UC Santa Barbara. During her college years she flew small airplanes and considered a career in aviation but she instantly fell in love with yoga and was lucky enough to find her life-long passion at such an early age. She committed herself to a regular and dedicated practice right away. Her first and most influential teacher at the time was Sarah Powers. Upon graduating from UCSB she went directly to India to study with Sri K Pattabi Jois in Mysore for three months. Upon returning home she continued studying all things yoga and practicing Ashtanga. In 1996 she teacher trained with Erich Schiffman and Sarah Powers and began her full time teaching career. Since that time she has taught thousands of students both privately and publically as well as developed teacher trainings, workshops, retreats and intensives in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. In 2007 she joined the reputable YogaWorks Teacher Training team and began leading both 200hr and 300hr programs. She is currently the Director of Trainer Development for YogaWorks Northern California. In 2004 Nikki met Rod Stryker and found her “roots” in the tradition of tantra yoga- a system that integrates spirituality into all aspects of one’s life cultivating more peace, joy and personal success. Nikki continues to study with Rod Stryker and Pandit Rajmani Tinugait in the tradition of the Himalayan masters as well as integrating Ayurveda into her personal and professional life. She resides in northern California near to nature with her husband and two daughters.