Carmen is a certified instructor and has been practicing Yoga since the 70s. Her Ph.D. in education and extensive teaching experience have trained her to be precise in direction so that students feel confident in her instruction. Carmen has taught and practiced all over the world. She integrates classical postures with breathing, meditation and relaxation techniques. Carmen focuses on three levels: physical, mental, and emotional. Her goals are trifold: The first goal is to unburden the mind by "clearing the desktop" of clutter. "If we stop, for a few moments to examine what's in our mind, the majority of our thoughts tend to be scattered, disorderly, and quite frankly, worthless." Carmen's next goal is to release negative energies on the three aforementioned levels in order to sustain this peace of mind through various relaxation techniques. Finally, once the mind is cleared of debris, real or imagined, even if only for a few moments, Carmen guides her students through various exercises to "lift" the heart and to affirm their present state of being, which is happiness. Leaving class, students are light-hearted and positive. Daily yoga will increase this state of being. Carmen has an basic instructional DVD available for beginning Hatha Yoga students.