Colors,Health, and Workshops-
I am writing this blog to you after hosting a wonderful retreat in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. It’s a rainbow of colors shining in the sun that help paint the vibrancy of this colorful beach town. If you know me – I LOVE COLOR!
I know color, technically and creatively. I wear colors and taught color theory as a designer for many years and can geek out about color, just like I do with anatomy of asanas. I am still influenced by seasonal palates, surrounding colors, and the miracles of our bodies. I like to sketch people and places, match and mix paint colors and still can look at some colors and know its Pantone equivalent like Coca-Cola red - PMS 484 .
I am honored to have led this group of attendees who traveled from all around the USA to meet me for this retreat, some with re-routing to get there… others with a direct flights in ….and some like me, with difficulty to get home. Flexibility training starts with the mind, long before getting on the yoga mat, especially when weather or other circumstances dictate the best laid travel plans.
I am glad I had a week of Zen before the airport cancellations. And that all of us on retreat were willing to step into our yoga practices with integrated asana with using different types of props for challenge and support, truly listening to “ourselves” on what was needed in the present moment our yoga practices. And advanced yogi knows when move, leave and settle .
We worked the holistic self with pranayama, somatic movement, chanting, artmaking, and meditation for a deep dive using the map of the energetic body -the Chakra System for self- inquiry and direction for deeper exploration. Having a “ map “ helps target a direction for your journey.. Are you flexible in traveling through your practice with different styles of yoga or trying new teachers ? Do you always pick the same spot in the studio ?Are you willing to read map to get can overview for embracing different processes for wellness connections?
Sunday-April 7th is World Health Day! and I thought it fitting to mention this since we just completed a week of talking about health, wellness and allowance of the body and mind to have a place and space to shape shift. 'My health, my right’ is this year’s World Health Day theme. It was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination.
I believe strongly that healthy food, yoga, art, , and the right to health care should be available to everyone. And so does the Open Door Foundation of the Hudson Valley, along with the studios that I teach weekly classes at - Ascend Center, Ful-Being Collective ,Firefly Power Yoga and Heartful Yoga online. There are classes and teachers available, for everyone, with unique workshop opportunities in the Hudson Valley.
Join me this April and May for some unique workshops in the Hudson Valley, NY.
Monthly Yoga Nidra
Ascend Center
Wednesdays : April 10 , May 8
6:30-7:45 pm
If you find it hard to switch off, this class is for you! We all need to learn how to flex the muscles of the mind to cultivate rest and relaxation. Achieving this however can be very challenging for most of us, especially if you are always on the go and find yourself filling in space to be busy and active. Do you find it hard to fall asleep, relax or just do nothing so that you can recharge your nervous system and creativity? This class is a restorative exploration of asanas into a guided meditation of “sleepless sleep” allowing the body to soften, the mind to settle and the nervous system to rest. A perfect training ground for the allowance constructive rest and relaxation, and meditation.
3-Part Workshop: Principles of Being a Warrior
Ful-Being Collective
Tuesdays: April 9th, 16th, 23rd.
4:00- 5:30pm
An in depth look at our Inner Warrior Archetype. Join Dani in this workshop series that will look at the principals of being a Warrior, and the asanas - Warrior 1, Warrior 2, and Warrior 3 with use of The Great Yoga Wall, chairs, blocks, bars, and weights to build strength, access flexibility and strength in being with your alignment of a steadfast peaceful warrior.
Silent Disco Dance
Firefly Power Yoga Studio
Saturday: April 13
7:00- 10:00pm
One night only . join us as Firefly Yoga Studio turns into a DISCO! Come dance the night away with a headset. Your headset will have 3 playlists shared with the rest of the party, tune in and out of each playlist as you desire. This event will leave you smiling from ear to ear for days !
Open Door Foundation Fundraiser
Ossining Scenic Riverfront
Henry Gourdine Park
Wednesday: May 15
9:00- 10:30am
Join Dani in this well-rounded morning outdoor yoga class on the Hudson Riverfront to support the Open Door Foundation as a fundraiser to help them delivering compassionate, quality health care and wellness services to the Hudson Valley. Let’s move, breath, and support each other on and off the mat!
I aim to bring forth through integration of many different styles of Yoga and Art, a compassionate, creative, energetic , customizable approach for all to access their body, mind and spirit as integrated whole beings with limitless potential in living a balanced life.
If you have a private group, like a runners club or special event, such as a family reunion or wedding party, where you would like me to custom create a practice for you centered around any combo of; asana, pranayama, meditation and art, please reach out. I am experienced with working with many groups and targets—- athletes, novices, weekend warriors, teachers, kids included. No experience and lot’s of experience are all welcome !
OM SHANTI
-Dani
“Dani has the right energy to create and hold such healing spaces for her students and peers. To be guided by her is to be both inspired and opened. Working with Dani is spiritual, fun, insightful, new and at the same times feels easy” – Amy Pearce Hayden, author of Living the Sutras