About Simona
&
Glowstar Yoga

Personal Story

Yoga has been a vital part of my life since the early 2000s, igniting a transformative journey of healing and personal growth. As a young mother, I struggled with chronic low back pain. When traditional treatments offered less relief, I explored holistic treatments, and turned to yoga. Through gentle, restorative movements and deep introspection, I discovered healing and strength. This profound experience, along with life’s ups and downs, has guided me through change, strengthened my body, and restored my connection to myself. 

I’ve also felt a profound need to connect with other mothers and women. Living in a community built of meaningful connections and support, I deeply understand the importance of belonging, encouragement, and the strength that comes from being part of a supportive community.

With the rising levels of stress, anxiety, and depression in youth, as well as the increasing need for emotional regulation, and living close to a dear friend who has two autistic children, I began searching for ways to support children, teens, and growing adults in managing these conditions. 

Additionally, I saw the need in supporting healthy aging in the senior community. Partnering up with the city of Mountain House, CA and MH Events, I started offering senior chair yoga classes in 2002. I developed the idea into a highly valued community program. 

My deep learning and passion for knowledge about how yoga can help people with emotional regulation, social skills, autism, trauma, anxiety, depression, and sense of belonging, led me to dive deeper into my studies and applications, and what I discovered was eye-opening. 

I began working with a group of children in my community. One of the parents reported significant improvements in her child’s anxiety levels and the ability to apply the learned yoga tools outside of the sessions. I also engaged in private sessions with my friend’s child, who had struggled to find relief through traditional methods. After studying and incorporating neurodiverse therapeutic yoga techniques, I saw tangible improvements in her child’s emotional regulation. Emotional outbursts decreased, and her child’s ability to self regulate improved. As I continued to work with autistic children, I realized that within my community, many individuals were struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, sleep issues, and chronic pain, all common co-occurring  conditions. This discovery led me to expand my learning, and integrate therapeutic yoga tools for these challenges as well. Research has shown that yoga therapy alongside modern medicine and lifestyle changes, can significantly improve the health and well being of individuals, improve cognitive functions, facilitating bidirectional communication between the brain and the body. 

My passion for helping  kids and young adults has led me to a shift in my career. After working as a project/program manager in the corporate world with a Master’s in Business, I decided to pursue my true calling as a yoga therapist. With certifications in therapeutic yoga for neurodiverse conditions, emotional regulation, and trauma, I’m currently working towards my Master’s in Yoga Therapy from Maryland University of Integrative Health (2026),  I have found a meaningful purpose in contributing to others’ healing and well-being journeys.