Sackhoff was born in Portland, Oregon and grew up in St. Helens, Oregon. Her mother Mary is an ESL program coordinator and her father Dennis is a land developer. She graduated from Sunset High School in Beaverton in 1998. She participated in swimming and ballet until her right knee was injured, which led her to begin practicing yoga, which she continues today. Sackhoff has three tattoos: One, on the back of her neck, is a Chinese symbol ('choice'). Another, a cross, is covered with bandages whenever her shoulder is uncovered during shooting because there is no Christianity in the Battlestar Galactica universe. The third is on her right forearm and reads "bona fiscalia," meaning "public property" in legal Latin. This tattoo is visible in numerous episodes. Other elements from Sackhoff's life have been incorporated into the show: a ring she wears on her thumb has been described as Starbuck's engagement ring from Zak Adama, and the actress's decision to quit smoking between seasons two