Sam Torres

Sam, a Southern California native, radiates the sunshine energy of her roots wherever she goes. With six years of experience as a nurse in the fast-paced and demanding environments of the emergency room and post-surgical units, Sam found herself seeking solace and peace during the tumultuous times of the COVID pandemic. In 2020, while working on the frontlines, she discovered the calming embrace of hatha yoga through online practices. Unlike the intense hot yoga classes she was accustomed to, hatha yoga invited her to slow down and explore her inner landscape.

Driven by a growing curiosity about hatha yoga, Sam embarked on a transformative journey to Guatemala, where she completed her first 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at the serene Lake Atitlán. Immersed in the natural beauty and vibrant community of fellow yogis, she participated in several kirtan groups and developed a desire to learn the harmonium, aspiring to infuse her practice with the melodic chants of this ancient instrument.

A visit to her brother in Chicago during the summer of 2022 led to an unexpected twist in her journey—she fell in love with the city and decided to stay. Continuing her nursing career, Sam discovered Moksha Yoga Center in the fall of 2023, where she embarked on her Astanga journey. Inspired by Daren’s profound teachings, she completed Moksha’s Teacher Training in the Fall of 2024 with the intention of deepening her knowledge and practice. Sam now dreams of creating a class space where yogis can come together, share their energy, and embark on their inward journeys. With her unique blend of medical expertise and yogic wisdom, she provides a nurturing and supportive space for all who seek the transformative power of yoga.

Certifications

200hr Awakened Spirit Yoga 2022
200hr Moksha Yoga Center 2024

Charity: Greater Chicago Food Depository

Favorite Quote

Let my heart turn to practice.
Let practice become a path.
Let this path dissolve confusion.
Let confusion become wisdom.
~Ken Mcleod