Hi! :) I'm Dana from Tacoma, Washington (nearish to Mt. Rainier/Tahoma). I'm originally from Southern Oregon which is where in highschool I remember getting a book and beginning to learn about yoga. So, I guess it's been about 25 years that I've been a yogi. :)
My practice grew through classes in different studios (Bikram, Jivamukti, Anusara, Hatha, Vinyasa, yadayada). It's been such a powerful force in my life --- and it's also something that can feel so off if I'm in the wrong classroom. There are so many environments that can be triggering and feel harmful, conveying that the body is bad as it is. (E.g., Must be thin and get to the peak pose.) Conversely, some of those environments and instructors have been fundamental in my journey to integrate healing from trauma into my body.
About 10 years ago, I took a workshop to learn how to have my own at home yoga practice which gave me so much consistency and freedom because I feel safe practicing at home in a way I don't in most yoga studios. But there's this deep need to expand my practice, grow my edge, and be in community that feels mutually beneficial.
In 2016 (or around then) I took an online class from Dianne Bondy and I remember it being so powerful. Dianne, you invited us to create an intention. From that embodied intention, I embarked on two years of learning about something that totally transformed my life. I've found myself returning to Dianne's classes because of her voice, energy, intentionality, and the resonance I feel when she says what's true for her.
Since then, I've used classes on Yoga International to expand my practice and to learn about different styles of yoga. I was excited to find "Yoga for Everyone" because it expands "Yoga for All" into a very curated, inclusive environment. The instruction is so powerful here because in each moment, we're considering how different bodies are orienting to the pose --- and providing choice and information to support that. There is language of how our bodies relate to social justice and how we can be a part of embodied healing of structural inequity. The language used and the intentionality are monumental.
It's so beautiful!!!
Thank you for creating this community!!!!!!