I am a woman in recovery from addiction, who has fallen in love with yoga and recovery. Mostly I drank a lot of alcohol, but there was a period of time that I would put anything at all into my body to feel different than I felt.
I just celebrated 25 years of recovery in September, and one of the coolest things about this is that I thought I would never be able to stop drinking for a few days let alone 25 years. I drank to escape myself and my feelings, and I have not had to do that, one day at a time, for 25 years now.
Finding YOGA has enhanced my sobriety in ways that absolutely blow my mind.
I now seek to FIND myself instead of escape myself. It is amazing and I never get tired of learning new things about who I am, and how I’m choosing to showing up here in this life. My journey in recovery has been full of ups and downs, highs and lows, joy and sorrow…but that isn’t any different from anyone else. That is life. What IS different about choosing recovery instead of continuing down a path of destruction is that I have a life beyond my wildest dreams.
I have learned how to love myself, warts and all.
Perfectly imperfect, wildly expressive, big hearted and grateful for this breath….and this one….and this one.
I found Three Trees Yoga through a friend who thought I was already a yoga teacher. “Hey wanna do 108 Sun Salutations?” she asked. I was down. Three Trees was benefiting Yoga Behind Bars and I worked at a residential detention facility for youth. It was a match made in heaven. (Or by my Higher Power?)
After getting my 200 hr teacher training in 2012 I thought, “I HAVE to figure out how to bring the philosophies of recovery and yoga together.” I did some extensive research (one Google search) and found Y12SR. I was so grateful to find Nikki Myers and not have to reinvent the wheel. I signed up for my training in San Jose, CA. and the rest is history.
I knew that this was my Dharma; my purpose for being here – to share the amazing connection of being IN your body in recovery and not escaping it any longer. Woo Hoo!
I have been holding space for Y12SR classes for 8 years now. Currently I have 4 classes per week, and are all donation based classes. Our motto is “You are more important than your money!”
This is what students are saying:
“Dana holds space in an open, loving, and accepting way. The Monday mornings that I have spent with her have been uplifting and encouraging even during the darkest of days. As a woman in long term recovery she has the knowledge base and understanding that will enhance anyone’s journey on their journey in recovery!” – Travis
“Not being articulate, I would rate it on a scale of 1-10 as being a 15.” – Lopeka
“Dana has shown me a new way of living. To be mindful and present. To listen to my breath. Something I thought I could never do. But, with practice and patience with myself I have been able to grow and heal from Y12SR, and that is definitely from Dana’s loving, kind, and passionate spirit. I am forever grateful for her gift she so freely gives to others.” – Sarah
“For me, recovery has always been about mind, body, spirit. Y12SR includes all 3 components of a recovery meeting that I have always yearned for and to have Dana as the facilitator just enhanced the whole experience” – Carol
Last year I was honored to be appointed the Leader Advocate for Y12SR – supporting the nearly 2000 Y12SR leaders worldwide.
I also host International Joyful Energy Yoga and Recovery retreats. In December 2021 we’ll go to Costa Rica for the 4th time, and we were in Bali, Indonesia in 2019. I aspire to hold affordable retreats for folks who wouldn’t necessarily be able to afford such travel and to experience something beyond their wildest dreams in recovery too.
Finding this niche has allowed me to teach other classes with so much more confidence and depth. I am passionate about what yoga has taught me, and teaches me every single day in the practice of mindfulness, and this enhances my teachings in every way. My classes are all inclusive and are about being where you are in the present moment – flexible or tight, comfortable or not, having a good day or not so much, you are always welcome and encouraged to show up exactly as you are.
My intention is to hold sacred space for us all, so that we might continue to grow into our very best selves.
Mixed Level Yoga – level I – II: Drop in & Live Streaming Tuesday 6:00pm-7:15pm
Mixed Level Yoga – level I – II: Live Streaming Wednesday 7:00am-8:00am
Short Yoga Session (Snack) – all levels: Live Streaming Thursday 8:30am-8:50am
Beginner Yoga – level I: Live Streaming Friday 7:00am-8:00am
Y12SR: drop-in Donation Only: Live Streaming Sunday 6:00pm-7:30pm
Classes & Snack Packs Buy Now
