Purnima began the practice of iyengar yoga

in 2007 and immediately felt its transformative potential. She was drawn to the discipline, rigor, and integrity of the Iyengar lineage. Born and raised on the Hawaiian Island of O'ahu, Purnima has dedicated over five years of study under the Iyengar family in Pune, India at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI), which includes assisting patients in the medical therapeutic classes. Purnima was granted certification directly by her beloved Guru, Yogācārya Srī B.K.S. Iyengar, under whom she spent three continuous years of practice and study. She holds a certificate at the Intermediate Junior II level (CIYT Level II). As a teacher, Purnima is known for applications of yoga which inspire students to overcome physical and emotional difficulties in their practice and life. She continues to study directly with the Iyengar family at RIMYI in Pune. She is grateful for the opportunity to share the gifts of Iyengar Yoga with others. Purnima holds an M.P.H. in Community Health Sciences and worked for over a decade as a public health researcher, focusing on gender-based violence, social inequalities in health, and incarceration.