Daniella's Dance with Yoga
My dance with yoga began when I was only 5 years old – as a hyperactive child that could not sit still. I was always on the move and regularly overwhelmed - I felt that I had so much to do. I was sent to yoga classes to teach me to sit still (just for a minute!) and ultimately find a sense of calm, focus and confidence.
Despite my early yoga training to keep me balanced, my personality has always been a little less balanced VATA type (that's my constitution in Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga). I was always constantly busy and often getting stressed out - - even anxious.
Stressed out Science Student
For better or worse, I spent most of my early adult hood as a poor University student and finally completed a doctorate in medical science and communications. With very little income, I did not believe that I could justify paying large sums of money for a fitness membership so instead I would jog in the streets, parks, almost anywhere – jogging is free!!!. On occasions, I would treat myself to a yoga class & experience bliss!
Stressed Out Working Mum
Ten years later as a wife and then mother of two adorable children, I continued to jog to destress. I felt that I had too little time yoga classes in my busy day as a working mum with two young children under 5 years.
Sadly, my stress levels increased with a demanding new boss and children that were in need of my attention and loving care. I was heading for a nervous breakdown as I began shouting & crying in response to the tiniest of issues - I was experiencing chronic stress. It was clear that things could not continue as they were. I was diagnosed with a thyroid condition and a small lump in my thyroid – I was frightened of cancer!
Yoga Kicks in
At this lowest point of my health, I was fortunate to be gifted a yoga retreat. I started to appreciate the benefits of bringing a yoga practice back into my life. The yoga retreat switched on a light bulb for me !
Thyroid Healing
It was at this point that I left my corporate job and began attending regular yoga classes to heal my thyroid. I had read that yoga was particularly good for balancing thyroid hormones.
Within six months of a regular yoga practice and leaving my job, I began to feel better, my thyroid hormone levels were back to normal and the lump had shrunk. My relationships with family & friends had improved.
A Scientific Yoga Teacher
I became intrigued with the ancient wisdom of yoga and intrigued to know how yoga affected the body on a molecular and cellular level to balance and heal my hormone levels. Ironically, my medical research doctorate was studying hormones, mainly for osteoporosis, so I knew a lot about hormones already.
I decided to study yoga more deeply and became a yoga teacher…That’s for another blog. Nowadays, my classes always include at least one yoga sequence that is critical in balancing hormones as everyone of us experiences hormonal imbalances and may not even know it. I have integrated mindful meditation into my own personal practice to quieten my mind and I always incorporate meditation into my classes - I look forward to sharing all of this with you on the mat.
Since studying yoga therapy, my teaching has also evolved to align with the 5000-year-old sister science of yoga, known as Ayurveda. My hope for every yogi is to help them maintain good health through a well-balanced yoga practice integrating meditation and a life style tuned into the cycles of nature.
Yogarama has grown to become a community of like-minded people that practice yoga and meditation outdoors connected with nature. Retreats are an important part of the Yogarama journey to better health as I know how a deeper retreat experience gave me a kick start when I was at the lowest point of wellness.
Yogarama offers group yoga and mindful meditation classes, full day retreats and weekend retreats in the bush as well as yoga for chronic stress to support healing of stress-related conditions (one-one or groups).
More recently, I trained as a meditation teacher in India and I love to share meditation with the community. Most Sunday evenings, Yogarama yogis sit in a meditation circle together to quieten the mind, heal the body and nourish the spirit. Its the perfect way to set up for a magical week ahead.
That’s a bit about me and my yoga and meditation journey and I’d love to hear about you. Until then…
Namaste
Daniella
Despite my early yoga training to keep me balanced, my personality has always been a little less balanced VATA type (that's my constitution in Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga). I was always constantly busy and often getting stressed out - - even anxious.
Stressed out Science Student
For better or worse, I spent most of my early adult hood as a poor University student and finally completed a doctorate in medical science and communications. With very little income, I did not believe that I could justify paying large sums of money for a fitness membership so instead I would jog in the streets, parks, almost anywhere – jogging is free!!!. On occasions, I would treat myself to a yoga class & experience bliss!
Stressed Out Working Mum
Ten years later as a wife and then mother of two adorable children, I continued to jog to destress. I felt that I had too little time yoga classes in my busy day as a working mum with two young children under 5 years.
Sadly, my stress levels increased with a demanding new boss and children that were in need of my attention and loving care. I was heading for a nervous breakdown as I began shouting & crying in response to the tiniest of issues - I was experiencing chronic stress. It was clear that things could not continue as they were. I was diagnosed with a thyroid condition and a small lump in my thyroid – I was frightened of cancer!
Yoga Kicks in
At this lowest point of my health, I was fortunate to be gifted a yoga retreat. I started to appreciate the benefits of bringing a yoga practice back into my life. The yoga retreat switched on a light bulb for me !
Thyroid Healing
It was at this point that I left my corporate job and began attending regular yoga classes to heal my thyroid. I had read that yoga was particularly good for balancing thyroid hormones.
Within six months of a regular yoga practice and leaving my job, I began to feel better, my thyroid hormone levels were back to normal and the lump had shrunk. My relationships with family & friends had improved.
A Scientific Yoga Teacher
I became intrigued with the ancient wisdom of yoga and intrigued to know how yoga affected the body on a molecular and cellular level to balance and heal my hormone levels. Ironically, my medical research doctorate was studying hormones, mainly for osteoporosis, so I knew a lot about hormones already.
I decided to study yoga more deeply and became a yoga teacher…That’s for another blog. Nowadays, my classes always include at least one yoga sequence that is critical in balancing hormones as everyone of us experiences hormonal imbalances and may not even know it. I have integrated mindful meditation into my own personal practice to quieten my mind and I always incorporate meditation into my classes - I look forward to sharing all of this with you on the mat.
Since studying yoga therapy, my teaching has also evolved to align with the 5000-year-old sister science of yoga, known as Ayurveda. My hope for every yogi is to help them maintain good health through a well-balanced yoga practice integrating meditation and a life style tuned into the cycles of nature.
Yogarama has grown to become a community of like-minded people that practice yoga and meditation outdoors connected with nature. Retreats are an important part of the Yogarama journey to better health as I know how a deeper retreat experience gave me a kick start when I was at the lowest point of wellness.
Yogarama offers group yoga and mindful meditation classes, full day retreats and weekend retreats in the bush as well as yoga for chronic stress to support healing of stress-related conditions (one-one or groups).
More recently, I trained as a meditation teacher in India and I love to share meditation with the community. Most Sunday evenings, Yogarama yogis sit in a meditation circle together to quieten the mind, heal the body and nourish the spirit. Its the perfect way to set up for a magical week ahead.
That’s a bit about me and my yoga and meditation journey and I’d love to hear about you. Until then…
Namaste
Daniella