(…or, “What happens on, and off, the mat”)

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“I am a therapist who has practiced for 45 plus years. My knowledge of posture and movement is expansive. I am a “want-to-be athlete” who is passionate about strength training, skiing, snowshoeing hiking, biking … any way to move outside.
I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was a young adult, resulting in multiple joint surgeries and chronic pain. When I came to practice with Dana, I was on “high guard”.
But in the last six months, working with Dana in both small-group yoga classes and private yoga therapy sessions, I have come to embrace her approach. Her yoga teaching is pragmatic, functional, and easy to incorporate into your everyday life. Her knowledge is expansive and perspective, unique. Following her individual guidance and adaptions, I have significantly reduced pain, increased energy, and ease of movement.  Continued work with Dana is not an option; it is essential to  the life I want to live.”

–Lezlie A., Retired Occupational Therapist (July, 2020)

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“Dana, your classes nourish the spirit as well as the body. Of course they are not separate. I liked your comment about negative thoughts and the opportunity to turn them into positive ones. It reminds me of the story of when the Buddha had arrows launched at him and he was able to turn them into flowers before they reached their target. I also think of the approach of the winter solstice and contrast that with the long days and light of summer solstice. I used to dread the winter solstice and the short daylight hours. But now I relish the beauty of the quality of the winter light, the opportunity to light candles and the deeper appreciation I will have for the return of longer days, all in due time.”

–Evelyn D., long-term Iyengar Yoga practitioner, joining online classes from Montana (Dec., 2020)

“I want you remind you, though you already know it, that working with you this year (it’s been a year!) has helped me make incredible leaps forward in my physical and mental health. I feel stronger, more flexible and more balanced than I have in the 10 years since my first disk problem in my lower back. My body and mind are making serious headway towards sustainable healing for my back. I can touch my toes, my shoulderblades move, I can ride my bike again! It’s been informative to realize what my tendencies are, where I ‘protect’, and how re-arranging those tendencies and loosening those ‘protections’ has affected me emotionally. The things in particular that I appreciate about you as a teacher are your direct teaching style, your sophisticated, studied, and intuitive knowledge of the body’s physics, and your creativity in crafting a practice for us. No two classes are the same, and I can say now that I use props confidently and effectively!”

–Annie P., PhD student and athlete

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“I was immediately struck by Dana’s genuine attention to the individual – from before class all the way through until the last student left the building.  She personally welcomed each student into class. She made adjustments for students throughout class both for long-time students as well as new ones – even when many things were going on at once, with a stability adjustment for a new student, a mobility adjustment for a new student, and reminding existing students of their adjustments.   Of particular note, she was keeping track of time for one student who had to leave early so she would not miss her savasana!  After class, it was equally beautiful seeing her support each student with ‘how nice it was to work with you’, answers to questions, wishes for a good week, etc.

“For a beginning alignment class, I was amazed at how much yoga philosophy Dana weaves into her class.  The focus was always on the whole; the physical form of the pose was only one component.  Students were continually cued to their breath and to observe the mind-body connection.

“Dana beautifully weaves philosophy for day-to-day living with cues for poses.  Since I was assisting in this class, I was not taking notes.  When I got home I remembered that I was deeply struck by something Dana said (in fact I almost started to cry).  It took me until the next day to remember but it has been with me since.  I used it in my first class – ‘Use only as much effort as you need’.  It was pivotal for a deep experience I had a few days later.  And here I am writing about it – so simple and yet so powerful.”

–Julie D., 200-hour yoga teacher trainee, upon observing Dana’s class

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“I wanted to reach out to you and thank you again for sharing such beautiful knowledge. I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer of the breast, lung, and liver 8 months ago. There were so many things that resonated with me today. Not that you need confirmation, but being a patient and student of yoga therapy, [I felt] you nailed it spot on. I really appreciate your insight and the energy you put into your curriculum. Thank you!”

–Heather G., 300-hour Yoga Therapy teacher trainee, whose spirit lives on in us

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“Overall, I loved this class and am sad to have it end.  I have truly loved having you as a mentor and feel grateful to have learned from you.  I hope we can stay in touch.  I will use what I learned for the rest of my life.  It has created such a wonderful strong base for my yoga journey, which, as we learned, can really improve your success. Thank you for being such a genuine and personable instructor.  I appreciate all the reading suggestions and being able to glean from your experience and wealth of knowledge.  You have been so supportive in my personal journey.  I am going to miss you!”

–Amy B., 200-hour Yoga Teacher Trainee

Student Reflections on “Nourishing Movement” classes:

Your teaching has been helping me in my daily life. I have been practicing your lessons throughout the day. You are making a difference!

Thanks for today’s class! A wonderful start to the day! I love Thursday’s Nourishing Movement class because it is just that: a full hour of delightful movement that relaxes my body, as well as massages parts of it!  For example, my spine and lower back feel wonderful after rocking and rolling on the floor! As well, coming out of bridge pose, lowering the spine from the top down and feeling each vertebrae at a time slows me down, giving me full benefit of feeling the ground underneath. I feel that I am gaining more body awareness in fun and different way!

I look forward to this unique class every week. I adore this healthy movement therapy class so much! My body and mind feel fluid, healthy, and ready for the day. Try this amazing class!

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“Great instructor! Length of course was perfect. Setting was perfect. I loved that we had access to the Spa facilities by taking the course. But, more importantly — the course itself was excellent and well worth participating in. Thank you!”

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