breathe well . live well.

My name is Sharon Harvey Alexander. I love supporting people on their journey to find creative ways to minimize stress and maximize joy in life. I craft personal wellness programs that include a mix of mindful movement routines, conscious breathing practices, and delightful guided meditations. They are designed to open the heart, and free up your essential nature, so that you feel better, love more, and find the inspiration to create the life of your dreams.

I have also recently published a book called Learning to Breathe, Learning to Live: Simple Tools to Alleviate Stress and Invigorate Your Life. Learn more at: https://www.mountainwisdomwholistichealth.com/about-sharon.html

History and Background

I am a Colorado native. I also enjoy the roles of wife, mother, certified professional ayurveda yoga therapist, and reiki practitioner. Some refer to me as a wellness advocate, a certified holistic stress management educator, and a breathing coach, depending on the day. In my work with individuals and groups, I draw from ancient eastern wisdom and modern neuroscience to craft classes and routines designed to help you skillfully improve self-care, mindfully address changing health conditions, gracefully improve relationships – with yourself, and others - and effortlessly establish greater levels clarity and focus around your goals and dreams.

The winding path I’ve followed through life has set me up perfectly for the work I’m doing now. Numerous life experiences have converged. Thus, I am able to effectively support others in finding, integrating, and expressing themselves - body, mind, heart, and soul. Before becoming a Yoga Teacher, and a Certified Professional Yoga Therapist, I spent many years working as an Urban Planner for the City of Boulder, and prior to that I facilitated team building courses with middle level managers from companies as diverse as Dupont, Kodak, and Xerox. I was blessed to spend two summers after college leading multi-week backpacking trips through the mountains of Colorado for Outward Bound, and a winter in between as a professional ski patroller. Yet, had I not taken a leave of absence from my first “career” as an assistant clinical dietician in a hospital in Denver and said “yes” to traveling to Nepal with my best friend whose husband was climbing Mt. Everest, I may not be where I am today. But because I said "yes" to that amazing adventure, which rolled out over four months, the trajectory of my life at that time changed. I learned then that saying “yes” to life is what carries us forward. And that’s what I like to help my clients do – say yes to life.

Philosophy

Through my varied life experiences, I have come to realize that saying “yes” keeps us fresh, grounded and able to tackle any challenge with artistry and flair. For me, daily meditation, creative movement, attention to proper breathing, as well as spending time in nature, are salves for the soul. With support, I believe that each of us can find the strength and vision to move life forward in a great way! Saying “yes” is the first step.
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Method

My heart opening approach to yoga, and to wellness facilitation in general, has its roots in my first 200 hour yoga teacher training in the Anusara style of Hatha yoga. This style of yoga combines an attention to the details of alignment with a heart opening Tantric Philosophy, designed to support practitioners in safely expressing their true self with artistry and flair. The foundational belief in this style of yoga is that we are here, in these magnificent bodies, to fully experience and express all that life brings to us.
 
I loved the way my own life opened up as I continued to study this style of yoga over many years. Thus, I continued my studies and eventually completed an advanced yoga teacher training in the Kripalu Method, a contemplative and gentle style of Hatha yoga that provides a lovely complement to the more vigorous Anusara style. As my studies continued, I layered a professional 1000 hour Yoga Therapy certification over that training. I also added in a holistic stress management educator certification, and a Reiki Level Two certification. I have also studied some medical Chi Gong and Feldenkrais, which I also weave into my work. Over time, all of these wonderful experiences have morphed into a personal and unique style of teaching, consulting, and training that is intelligent and supportive.
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Yoga and The Voice

I enjoy singing with friends and around the house, but I have not formally studied any singing, so I am excited for Karen's workshop as well! However, I do know that a major component of singing well is knowing how to breathe...

I use breath work, energy healing, creative and therapeutic movement, mindfulness and meditation, in my work to support talented, successful, busy, and often times stressed out individuals and groups in cultivating clarity and uncovering genius while maintaining a strong sense of Self. I have come to observe, first hand, how taking an effective breath is foundational to living an effective life. The tools in my book (See Above) will support you in living a full life. Chances are they will help you sing better, too!

I believe that singing can be a wonderful way to express our inner nature. To free The Voice, we must first open the heart. That’s why I’m excited to offer a gentle movement warm-up for Karen’s Authentic Voice workshop.