Every Breath You Take...

Good Morning, thank you for taking a moment with me. I appreciate you. Let’s take a breath, right now, breathe in…hold…long long exhale…hold it out…Inhale and feel. Let’s drop that deep breath deep down, soften your shoulders, exhale with a big loud sigh. How does that feel?

Today in class, we began with some soft and deep breathing, letting our exhales be audible. I could feel everyone letting down a bit.

Will you join me tonight? Wednesday, July 9th for some soft breathing, gentle reminders to feel within…while things outside ramp up let’s join together to unwind and remember. Breathe…move…allow and be. I hope to see you, in person, on line and with a readiness to breathe together.

You might also find this article helpful, it really is about every breath we take.

Wednesday Nights at Santa Cruz Yoga, 7:15-8:30 pm Deep slow warm ups, Yin Yoga and Restorative Relaxation with Gong
Register on line for In person or to receive your Zoom class link.

Mar de Jade Yoga Retreat in Chacala, Mexico

Winter is coming, and our very special Rasayana Retreat is too!
January 17-24, 2026
Truly an opportunity to restore a sense of well being,
reconnect to your center
and be in sacred community.
Register Now,
spaces are filling.
All your questions answered here!
and Picture yourself there!

Rasayana is the Sanskrit word for pure restoration, rejuvenation and the art and science of using yoga, Ayurveda, meditation and community to revitalize that which has been depleted. We have a uniquely curated plan for this retreat, come, join us!

in light,

Denise and Corinne

Why Invitational Language Soothes Your Nervous System

It is okay to feel a bit fragile right now. I do. Balancing vulnerability with strength and not automatically “armoring up” is a challenge. To keep listening and considering other perspectives feels like an actual job, it is the work. Listening does not mean agreement, it is not apathy or compliance, it just allows things to be heard. Standing up for what is good, decent and moral is also critical and we must continue. Applying that to your yoga practice carries the promise of moving that out into your thoughts, words and actions.

When I invite more perspectives I open to more considerations, which gives me a way of seeing that I may not have had before. On my mat, even in my own head and heart, I invite a more generous conversation of ways to move and breath. When I teach (and yay! new in studio classes) I use language that provides a deeply generous opportunity for you to move and breath. The days of more “forceful” or “power” language have run their course in my classes and those that I choose to attend. The force or power is already inside of me and you, and my connection to you in the classroom is to invite you to explore, attend to and be with all that arises. Less becomes more, subtlety fills the space of the gross commands and your nervous system regains its balance, it calms down. That calming, rebalancing, in fact allows you to reap untold benefits, extending beyond the sweat and grind. The depth of a long held stretch synched with breath, becomes a pulsating wave of energy that lasts. Your practice shifts from meeting some exterior demand to healing an interior need.

Soothing hormones and chemicals get released and the damaging ones are released with calming language. Seratonine, dopamine, and Prana refill the depleted cortisol and catecholamines to move your nervous system into rest and digest, Parasympathetic response. In meditation we notice that we stretch out time in our own mind and body and are able to consider a response instead of an impulsive emotional reaction. We build resilience with this very action of responding instead of reacting. Calm truly is healing.

Remember, when you step onto your mat, it is more than the asanas and breath, Yoga is a pure path to mending our own fragile and fragmented selves. There are many paths to lead us to this, for sure. For me, this work has proven out time and again, and I imagine for you too. This is why we keep coming to our mats, right? That is why we call it a practice, we keep practicing. We must keep listening to heal ourselves and others. When we invite, we create the opposite energy of resistance, and this alone gives us more actual energy to stay well, deeply well and nurtured. We invite to listen and stay centered within our energy.

Avebury Stone Circles, UK

Now more than ever, sensitivity and care are needed. We continue to awaken each day to a fresh batch of horror and we will prevail.

We have each other and we hold each other in our gathering spaces.

Together we grow stronger, our light grows stronger and we name this collective grief.

We hold the light for each other.

We name what we see, feel and know and we balance that with releasing and moving it through us.

Our collective rage must be balanced with restoration, of body, mind, heart and justice for it to make a difference.

Our hearts can heal, each vibration we send out is sensed.

Our humanity and sensitivity is our super power, it is and it will sustain and hold you.

Stay steady, keep coming to your mat, at home and in the classroom, we need each other now more than ever.

Calm provides a place for strategy and growth, allow for clarity.

In studio classes for July, all live streamed too!

Santa Cruz Yoga:
Tuesdays: (subbing for Corinne). Noon -1:15pm, Deep Slow Flow Vinyasa

Wednesdays: 7:15pm - 8:30 pm, Slow Warm up, Yin and Restorative Yoga with Gong Relaxation

Check schedule for other times of subbing

Previously Filmed Series available for YOU!

A Somatic Yin & Restorative
Practice for Resiliency and Therapeutic Recovery from Stress
Based on the 8 Limbed Path of Yoga

A Somatic Yin and Restorative Practice
for a complete exploration of the Chakra System
to empower and harmonize you.

Mar de Jade Yoga Retreat Center

Register Now!
And for your ultimate healing and rejuvenation,
join us for a 7 day retreat to the incomparable Mar de Jade for our
Rasayana Retreat.
All yoga, delicious organic meals and lux suites on a gorgeous beach, just north of Puerto Vallarta ready for you in January 2026!
Yes! I want to know all about this!

Sending you calm,

in light,

Denise

Heart Offerings This Week, for you!

Thank you! You all filled up my heart last Wednesday night, so happy to be back in person and with you in the studio. Thank you also to Corinne LeBlanc for her technological help and support, I believe we have the kinks worked out now!

JOIN ME! in person twice this week

at Santa Cruz Yoga!

Wednesday, June 18th, 7:15 pm - 8:30 pm

What are we doing? Gentle Somatic movement to warm up, Yin Yoga to release long held tension in body, mind and heart and Restorative Yoga with the GONG! A slow resonating vibration to massage you from the inside out. Do come!

Saturday, June 21st, 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm

I am happy to sub this Yin Restorative Class and will bring my curated class style to this Solstice Day! Let’s enjoy the longest day of the year together and transition into the changing of the Light!

Rasayana Yoga Retreat: Alchemy of Inner Renewal

January 17-24th, 2026, Mar de Jade Retreat Center

From rejuvenation (rasayana) arises longevity, good memory, wisdom,

health, youth, lustrous complexion, excellence of voice,

strength of the body and senses of the highest order,

power of speech, respect and beauty.

Charak Samhita Chikitsasthana I. 7-8

The greater part of rejuvenation is not only of the body, but of the mind and heart. Do you want to rejuvenate your heart and mind? Are you ready to open to an astounding level of “thought relaxation?'“ It is summer now, and you are hopefully out there enjoying nature, a more relaxed schedule (if possible) and letting the warmth melt tension, and yet, winter will come and by January, after the busy holidays, our energy drains, our mind becomes heavy and we will long for sunshine and smiles!

Sign up now for our divine Rasayana Yoga Retreat in Chacala, Mexico for January 17-24th, 2026.

What is fully included?

Twice a day yoga with Corinne Leblanc and me!

Delicious organic farm to table meals 3 x a day PLUS all snacks, filtered water and teas/coffee/juices

Beautiful full en suites available with Ocean and Garden views

Please make your $1108 deposit now and select your room and rest assured you will begin 2026 in a renewed, refreshed and rejuvenated mind, body and heart! We cannot wait to join you.

Reach out with any questions! denise@divinelightyoga.com

on the path in Wilder Ranch, hiking.

Hope to see you on the mat, in class and on retreat!

in light and with gratitude,

Denise

NEW starting tomorrow: Wednesday, June 11th

Are you ready for a juicy Yin and Restorative Yoga with DEEP relaxation and a soothing GONG sound bath?

YES, for sure!

Come to Santa Cruz Yoga tomorrow!

I am thrilled to return to our nurturing class

7:15 pm to 8:30 pm, PST

We begin with somatic styled flowing movement and breath, relaxing and getting you ready to melt into rich Yin (longer holding postures for deep breathing and fascia releasing) yoga and finish with fully supported Restorative Yoga (no stretching here, all relaxing and integrating your nervous system releases) while the Gong sounds gently in the background to bring a new resonance to your Body, Mind and Spirit! 75 Minutes of restoration, rejuvenation and a renewed harmony for balance and an awakened heart.

See you tomorrow and if you can’t make it to class, I will LIVESTREAM on Zoom

Sign up on line, please specify if you wish for In person or Livestream

IF this is too late for you, or you are out of town and cannot make it, remember, you can always attend these previously recorded classes, scroll down to see the links.

Spa Entrance

NOW is the time to sign up and reserve that room you want for our 2026 Winter Yoga Retreat!!

Join Corinne and me for a NEW YEAR Reset!

January 16-24, 2026

Mar de Jade Retreat Center

All classes, a gorgeous suite and 3 delicious organic meals every day!

Bring friends, your partner, or your whole gang and begin the New Year with a balanced and nurtured nervous system, happier body and balanced mind!

Bring 3 friends and bunk in the stylish Dorm Style cabin for $2214!

Ocean View Suites from $3038

Garden View Suites from $2781

Guest Suites from $2523

So many options, we will take care of everything!

Airport Transfers: you pay, we plan it for you!

GOOD News!

Thank you for your feedback! I have revised our Registration Page for the Rasayana Yoga Retreat in January 2026 and made it easier to navigate!

If you have missed this so far, there is still time to join in and be a part of a joyful and holistic experience to start next year off with!

We have four suite styles for your to choose from starting at $2781!!!

Ocean View Suites

Garden View Suites

Guest Room Suites

Dorm Style (up to 4 persons)

IF you wish to travel SOLO, please register as a Single and click on the Single Room Button in your preferred Suite style.

IF you are traveling as a COUPLE, two people sharing a bed or in two separate beds, please register on the Double Room Button, in your preferred Suite style. Fee is per person.

ALL of the YOGA (twice a day and some evening gatherings), ALL Organic meals daily, plenty of snacks, teas, coffee, and filtered clean water is completely included. Airport Transport is not included but, we will arrange it for you and cost accordingly to how many are in your van.

Loads of fun adventures are available for you to partake in outside of our daily schedule.

Register NOW, Select Your Suite Choice and either pay the deposit or in full and you will know you put this on your calendar and may rest assured you have already made a fantastic and healthy decision to begin 2026!

Corinne and I are so very excited to welcome you not only into 2026, and into this nourishing and relaxing experience. We are planning intimately curated classes, just for our group, please join us!

Reach out with absolutely any questions denise@divinelightyoga.com

REGISTER NOW! Then relax and enjoy your summer!!!

Thank you for putting some heartfelt thought into this, and we hope to see you there! Meantime, see me online or in class starting

June 11th, 2025 @Santa Cruz Yoga! Wednesdays, Yin Restorative with the Gong Sound Healing, 7:15pm.

Life Changes, So Do You

What are you up to my friends? Besides attempting to retain a sense of calm and safety in the storm, how do we retain our vibrancy when it feels like what has held us is shifting so fast? What we may have depended on for that safe container of our family, community and work may have changed over these past 5 years since Covid and more. Change can be destabilizing and chaos creates a deep sense of fear and instability. It depletes our vibrancy without a strong platform within and without a connection to our personal relevancy and Spirit, we may loose our footing. What can we do individually, intimately, to calm the chaos and stabilize the unstable parts of ourselves? How can we find our footing again and have change be our friend not a foe?

Mar de Jade Retreat Center

Well, I have a couple of ideas for you:).

Shake it up and come on a fantastical and healing Yoga retreat in January 2026! Corinne LeBlanc and I are thrilled to collaborate to bring you this 7 day journey into a fully renewed and restored sense of calm, JOY and vibrancy.

Imagine once January arrives, this year is behind us all and we are ready to embark to heal, balance and dance our hearts out.

Reserve your room now with your deposit and your final payment is not due until August. Just do it for yourself, bring a friend and know that come post holiday season, you will be more than ready to head to a sunny beach and find your way home back to your tender hearts, healthy body and calm mind.

We have a superb week planned, see all the details here, and register now to get that special room that you want!! Register now.

Since 2007 I have LOVED leading yoga retreats. What a gift to gather away from our daily demands and sink into our bliss! Some past retreat comments: “You touched my heart, opened it up and inspired me so much this week. Thank you for creating this amazing gathering.” Read More!

Let’s Embrace Change and Stop Bracing Against it

Change is the only constant that does not change, it is always here with us. Our perspective is what we can control, our outlook and “inner looking”. Shifting our relationship to change is where we can learn to thrive and move beyond surviving. Embracing change as a constant instead of pushing back against it gives us more physical, mental and emotional energy to place in the areas we want to focus on. Some practices I do remind me that, the basics are there because they work. You know them, eat balanced meals at regular times, eliminate snacking, rise and sleep at regular times, get out into nature, notice the smallest of creatures and remember you are all of that which is, always was and always will be. Here are some soft reminders.

Gratitude for Mother Nature

Use your 5 Senses to keep balanced:

• Eyes guide feet: Stay Active: Regular exercise is essential for maintaining physical and mental well-being. Consider activities like walking, swimming, yoga, and dancing.

• Tongue and taste: Healthy Eating: Pay attention to the quality and taste of your food. Seasonal, fresh, fragrant and chemical free foods bring more pleasure. Include plenty of organic fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your meals.

• Touch and feel: Explore New Hobbies: Discover or rediscover your passions. Whether it's painting, gardening, playing a musical instrument, or learning a new language, engaging in hobbies can bring excitement and creativity into your life.

• Ears and Speech: Socialize: Maintain an active social life. Spend time with friends and family, join clubs or organizations, and engage in community activities. Social connections can bring joy and a sense of belonging. Come to yoga class!

• Smell and scent: Spend Time in Nature: Nature has a rejuvenating effect on the mind and body. Spend time outdoors, whether it's hiking, gardening, or simply taking leisurely walks in a park, notice the smells of nature.

• Overall: Laugh and Have Fun: Keep your sense of humor alive. Laughter is a great way to boost your mood and add vibrancy to your life. And one day, we will look back.

NEW exciting LIVE in person classes! I am finally back in the classroom at Santa Cruz Yoga (all classes are also Live Streamed).

Check out my new schedule including some fun summer subbing AND two courses that you can add to your library on line when you cannot get in to class.

NEW SCHEDULE OF CLASSES AND COURSES

300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training is on going and virtual for your convenient learning. If you are local, the Mentoring hours can be in person in my home studio. If you live away, I welcome you on Zoom for Live Mentoring.

Beyond a typical advanced training, this course carries you into and through one of your most extraordinary journeys to find your deepest wisdom, your clearest voice and strongest connection within. Every graduate has shared their life changing stories and has lived their Heroine’s Journey to the fullest. I invite you to look into it, whether you are a teacher or eternal student wishing to deepen into your own Self Mastery, this is a doorway.

Look into the doorway, what will you find?

Friends, Thank you for your loving support, comforting words and genuine presence in my life. When I hear from you and remember who I am from your reflecting words and care, I feel better. I hope you know how grateful I am for you! Be well, stay steady on the path.

Love, Denise  

Benefits of a Yoga Retreat, More than Meets the Eye

On the surface, a yoga retreat just sounds yummy and fun, what is not to love? You get to get away to a beautiful serene location, with like minded new friends, eat awesome food you don’t have to prepare and do what you love: YOGA! On a deeper level, your entire body, mind and spirit get to experience an entire reset! Each element of a retreat heals something in you! Here are the actual behind the scenes happenings, to bring you a renewed sense of balance, health and actual joyful calm, that lasts far beyond the week long retreat:

• Unplug to plug into your true nature, give your eyes and mind a break

• Experience relief from chronic and long held stress and tension in your body and nervous system

• Genuinely live in the present moment, we take care of the plan and you simply show up

• Build new long lasting friendships, with others, and even, your Self

• Embrace personal growth, learning and connection to your spirit, your divine nature

• Gain new perspectives, shift your mindset, deepen your practices of yoga, meditation, and play

• Rejuvenate your PRANA, your life force and enhance your immune system

Speaking of play, have you watched children play lately? I mean the kids at a park, on the beach or in the forest, without any devices! A stick becomes a scepter, a rock a throne and on it goes. When left to their own imaginations they truly will create. We need that too, no matter how “adult” we are, we NEED to play, be playful and laugh to find balance.

Most Sundays, I bike ride out in an area that is so gorgeous I can still hardly believe it, even after 11 years of riding there. The changing seasons, when the fog blows in and when the sun shines, watching the changing color of the grasses, it is all very magical still to me. Flying downhill, my heart begins to soar and it feels just like when I was a kid and all joy rises. It reminds me how important it is to still be playful, no matter what is happening outside in the world. Deep within we can still choose to find our playful nature.

When is the last time you let go and played? Sat and gazed at something so beautiful it took your breath away? or felt your heart relax and your muscles release the fear and tension long held? Research continually shows us the phenomenal healing benefits of reaching that deep relaxation response in our body/mind system. Holistically healing, reaching this state of balance is essential for thriving and moving out of survival mode. Rasayana, is the Sanskrit term for just this, to reboot our entire system, from the inside out. Classically in Ayurveda (Indian science of health and well-being) we use herbs and practices to rejuvenate. In our retreat, we will use the Sense organs for healing, eyes, ears, nose, mouth and skin.

My dear friend Corinne Leblanc and I have planned a spectacular retreat for January 2026! A true time to reset our entire system, body, mind, and spirit with balancing Surya (morning) and Chandra (afternoon and evening) yoga sessions, carefully designed to meet individual needs, all body types and nervous systems! After decades of practice, research, teaching and working with individuals, we are offering a unique week long retreat opportunity for you! We chose a sweet and nurturing location just north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where all of your needs are taken care of, from delicious organic meals each day, snacks, beautiful rooms, a beach, pools, all yoga props, and our teaching!

Register Now

Simply sign up with our online form, Select your room and pay your deposit and final payment is not due until August 1st. We are limited in our total count, so do sign up now and reserve your spot. All details are here!

Absolutely any questions, email or call me! denise@divinelightyoga.com or 410-570-2878, I am ready to help. We are so excited to have your divine presence with us. I know from leading retreats since 2007, that the exact right people come together and form a bond, a community that is loving and supportive. We all need this now more than ever. Let us come together and hold the light, together!

New 2026 Rasayana Retreat, Inner Alchemy of Renewal

Darling Divine Ones!

Will you join me and my dear friend and incredible yoga teacher, Corinne LeBlanc for our January 2026 Yoga Retreat? We chose Mar de Jade Wellness Retreat Center, nestled between the lush jungle and crystalline beaches of Chacala, Mexico.

Let me share a little bit of what brought us to this moment…we both live, love and feel deeply into our yogic spiritual paths. Corinne brings a rich slow flowing vinyasa style along with sublime chanting and playing of her Harmonium and I bring a well cultivated and healing style of yin, restorative and therapeutics for all body types and needs. We naturally weave our styles and hearts in teaching and will bring to you, a unique and deeply healing week of gathering, movement, chanting and most of all, true community.

We need this, and January of 2026 will be the exact time to hit our Restart button. To renew, restore, rehabilitate, rejuvenate…to feel again into our vulnerabilities, our hearts and to know that we can heal and grow new tender tendrils from our hearts.

ALL LEVELS WELCOMED AND NURTURED

Let the gentle warmth of the winter Mexican sun and beaches reach deep into your body. Let our gathering soothe your hearts and minds as we weave our voices together each day to chant, sing, dance and be together. Let every cell in your body shed the constriction of fear and worry and expand into the true light of your authentic Soul and Self.

We cannot wait to see you there, book now, we have limited rooms and want you to get exactly what you like. The food, location, vibrancy and ease of this retreat will wrap you in a loving embrace to relax your frayed nervous system and rebuild your natural sense of well-being, immunity, and health.

Register Now!

Want to read some of the incredible testimonials from my past retreats? Since 2007, I have been grateful to lead inspiring groups to sacred locations, from Machu Picchu to Guatemala and Costa Rica. A retreat is more than a time to “retreat” from our daily lives, it is a time to revisit the deeper essence of who we are and how we show up in the world.

Thank you for considering this retreat, we will deliver. Will you be there?

What is Embodied Healing and Meaningful Self Discovery?

200 Hour Yoga Training Course begins September 12th, ONE SPOT left!

NEW: Fall Classes coming, stay tuned!

NEW: Trauma Informed Yoga Classes starting early 2025!

Benefits of Chanting the Sacred Mother of all Mantras:

The Gayatri Mantra

Would you try 1000 Days? How about at least 40? this Mantra continually awakens and amazes me with her frequency, opening in my heart and deep relaxation. My favorite recording is by Deva Premal, find her on Spotify and You Tube, and enjoy.

Embodied Healing and Meaningful Self Discovery is a way of being, less doing, learning to be with yourself and feel a certainty within.

Yogic teachings reveal the root cause of suffering is not knowing the truth of who you are, of being disconnected from that knowingness, and feeling lost, uncertain and seeking relevance outside ourselves. When one gains awareness of one’s true nature, that clarity allows distance from the suffering. Clarity of knowing relaxes one’s entire being, it is the truest Homecoming, moving towards connection within, that Sadhana, your daily practice remains steadfast and roots one into their natural loving and JOYFUL nature. It is a matter of deciding, do you want to feel that, a steadfast rooted connection to your own natural JOYFUL nature? If you feel a YES, join our cohort for the 200 Hour Divine Light Yoga Teacher Training, we start September 12th, we have ONE SPOT left, just for you!

Yoga Teacher Training hands you tools to understand your emotions, integrate body/mind divisions, release and rectify mental turbulence and most of all, to meet all the parts of you that keep you in self doubt. It reminds you of a deep purpose that has always been inside of you. It feels so good, and it opens you to the authentic JOY that is who you authentically are.

You are JOY, you are an ocean of infinite possibilities and things can ride over this and we might forget that about ourselves. We can remember and learn how to maintain balance, in the heights of storms.

What I love the most about this path of Yoga, is that once it is awakened, no one can take it away from us. We carry it like a glowing jewel inside of us and that will sustain us.

If you are on the fence, if you are still wondering if you want this or how to do this, or is there still time??? YES, there is, call me, email me, ask me anything so any doubts can be removed and you can join us! We begin September 12th, on this remarkable journey of embodied healing and meaningful self discovery, I really hope you will give yourself the gift, that honestly, will keep on giving for the rest of your life!

One scholarship left, one spot left. Are you the one?

Sign Up NOW! Everything you need to know or reach out directly to me, the sooner the better!

From the Bhagavad Gita:

Arjuna said: “The mind is restless, unsteady, turbulent, wild, stubborn: truly it seems to me as hard to master as the wind.”

Krishna replied: “You are right Arjuna: the mind is restless and hard to master; but by constant practice and detachment it can be mastered in the end. Yoga is indeed hard for those who lack self-restraint; but if you keep striving earnestly, in the right way, you CAN reach it.”

Reach out to me, let’s get you on board, denise@divinelightyoga.com

J O Y ! Join Our Yoga Training, One Sacred Spot Left!

Cozy in the JOY!

I am playing with J O Y! Simple, profound and available! The Joy that already lives in each of us, in you, in me! I don’t need to do anything except stop and drop in to feel it. Would you like to have more access to the JOY that lives in you? Do you feel called to a 6 month deeply nourishing and heart expanding adventure? That is exactly what is about to begin, on September 12th! the path of yoga is a path to JOY!

Yoga is a practice that allows us to live in a stressful, toxic, unpredictable world and still retain a sense of inner peace and contentment while still obtaining and maintaining. To remain healthy, balanced and functioning is one of the results of practicing Yoga. To be able to rebound from traumatic events, to hold the light and the darkness simultaneously, to witness the harsh realities of human choices while not being swept away with anxiety, fear, depression, overwhelm, and hopelessness is a result of a Yoga practice. A consistent practice expands our capacity to adjust our perspective, we quite literally become more flexible, in body, mind and spirit.

Will you join me and a very special guest teacher, Valerie Mosell, E-RYT 500, YACEP, RPYT/Author, Educator, Steward of Yoga, Breath and Somatic Meditation, beginning September 12th to February 1st for this profoundly powerful experience?

Let me share who Valerie is, if you are not already in awe of her! Valerie Moselle is an advanced yoga and breathwork teacher, author, and entrepreneur. A 20-year veteran of teaching, her approach is informed by functional anatomy, biomechanics, and emerging theories in neuroscience. Valerie is the founder of ReSourcing™, a system of simple, accessible, movement, breathing, and visualization techniques based on evidence and best practices to regulate the nervous system and promote mind-body integration. She sees folks as individuals each poised to derive unique benefits from embodied practice, and is known for practical sessions that inspire a playful exploration of breath, movement, self-inquiry, and surrender. 

A student of yoga for nearly three decades, Valerie has studied and taught in the San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California, the Pacific Northwest, Holland, the U.K. and India. One of her superpowers is supporting new teachers in understanding and applying functional anatomy and core concepts of biomechanics and kinesiology to yoga and breathwork. She currently lives in Santa Cruz, CA where she authored Breathwork: A 3 Week Breathing Program for Clarity, Calm, and Better Health and co-founded Luma, an award-winning family-focused holistic wellness center.

If you are ready, we have one precious spot left in our program, so reach out and inquire today! Email or call me, I have a feeling this spot will fill quickly. We are so ready to welcome you and our group to the mat and begin our journey.

All you need to know right here!

Welcome Valerie!!!!

Reach out, denise@divinelightyoga.com!

We are ready for you, are you?

Can you actually change your Brain?

NEW 200 Hour Yoga Teacher training early bird deadline extended to Friday, July 19th!!! Enroll Now!

Change your Brain, Improve your Life? Are Yoga and Neuroscience related?

Neuroscience and yoga have a fascinating relationship that has gained increasing attention in recent years. Yoga, an ancient practice combining physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), meditation (Dhyana and Dharana) and ethical principles (Yamas and Niyamas), does indeed have powerful effects on the brain and nervous system, which can be explored through the lens of neuroscience. Here are some ways neuroscience intersects with yoga and definitively changes your life:

• Neuroplasticity and Brain Changes:

• Yoga practices like mindfulness meditation (awareness practices and learning to be in the present moment) have been shown to induce neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural connections. Regular practice (Sadhana, daily practice) leads to changes in brain structure and function, particularly in areas related to attention, emotional regulation, and self-awareness.

• Stress Reduction:

• Yoga practices, including breathing exercises and meditation, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and counters the effects of the sympathetic nervous system (the "fight or flight" response). This can lead to reduced stress and improved overall well-being. We change our relationship to stress by realizing our role in the amping up of it.

• Mind-Body Connection:

• Yoga emphasizes the connection between the mind and body. Neuroscientific research supports the idea that practices like mindfulness meditation can strengthen this connection, leading to better awareness of bodily sensations, emotions, and thoughts. We call this interception, learning how to relate what we feel with what we are thinking. With awareness of our thoughts the body responds.

• Cortisol Regulation:

• Yoga has been linked to reduced cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress. Regular practice can help regulate the body's stress response and promote a sense of calm. Simple breathing practices will reduce inflammation and the release of aging elements.

• GABA Boost:

• Some studies suggest that yoga practices may increase the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps regulate anxiety and stress. Brain chemicals play an enormous role in our ability to feel steady, calm, hopeful and joyful.

• Dopamine Release:

• Yoga asanas trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This can contribute to feelings of happiness and contentment after a yoga session and taken in regular practice, these effects are cumulative.

• Default Mode Network (DMN):

• The DMN is a network of brain regions associated with self-referential thinking and mind-wandering. Mindfulness meditation, a key aspect of yoga, has been found to modulate the DMN, leading to reduced rumination and increased present-moment awareness.

• Emotional Regulation:

• Yoga practices can enhance emotional regulation by influencing areas of the brain responsible for emotional processing, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. This can lead to better control over emotional reactions.

• Focus and Attention:

• Yoga can improve attention and concentration by promoting sustained focus on the present moment. Neuroimaging studies show changes in brain regions associated with attention and cognitive control.

• Anxiety and Depression Relief:

• Yoga has been found to have beneficial effects on individuals with anxiety and depression. Brain scans have shown alterations in brain activity and connectivity patterns that correlate with symptom reduction.

The ancients knew this and put forth practices for centuries on this information. The sacred texts of yoga show the benefits, now, current science is catching up with peer reviewed studies to validate the knowledge.

You can benefit right now from this powerful lifestyle practice and immediately experience changes in your brain, moods, well-being and even your gut! Why not learn how to deepen your practice and even teach these phenomenal tools to others? Are you ready to go deeper in a 7 month course? Enroll Now!!

It's important to note that the effects of yoga on the brain can vary among individuals and depend on factors like the type of yoga practiced, the frequency of practice, and an individual's physiological and psychological makeup. Research in this field is ongoing, and the integration of neuroscience with yoga offers valuable insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the positive effects of yoga on mental and physical well-being.

Considering exploring a course to deepen your practice and understanding of these tools provides a new stability, depth and compassion for yourself and others, possibly unknown to you before. Consider the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, training the teacher in you for you first and foremost!

All ages, stages and abilities welcomed!

Enroll now!

Contact me today with any questions and see the entire Course Outline and fill out the application to join us in this transformative journey! denise@divinelightyoga.com

NEW 8 WEEK On line Class Begins Monday, July 8th

Contemplation in Nature

Hello friend!

I hope you will join me in a new Summer Class on Line Session that returns us to inner stability with a renewal of our practice of the 8 limbs of yoga. Each week we will gently explore how YOU can apply the 8 Limbs of Yoga to your sacred daily practice.

Even if you don’t practice daily, weaving these 8 Limbs into your life gives you a strong and stable position to ground into, to come back to and to remember your inner heart quietude. When things outside are stressful, this can become your comfort.

NEW CLASSES ON LINE

8 Classes, Live on Zoom

A Somatic Yin & Restorative

Practice for Resiliency and Therapeutic Recovery from Stress

Based on the 8 Limbed Path of Yoga

These NEW classes will focus on ways to rebound you from long and short term stressors, balance your nervous system and settle your worries. Perfect for anyone who feels any anxiety, depression, ruminating thoughts, and just is over it all! Here are practices that will stay with you and you will retain the video classes for repeat sessions!

Feel a renewed sense of lasting peace, attainable joy and the beauty of being at ease in yourself.

Suggested Reading for the 8 Limbs of Yoga: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

July 8th: Yamas/ How We Relate to Others in the World

July 15th: Niyamas/ How We Relate to Ourselves in the Daily Life

July 22nd: Asana/ How We Relate to Our Body in Postures

July 29th: Pranayama/ How We Relate to Our Breath Moment to Moment

August 5th: Pratyahara/ How We Relate to our Sense Organs with What We Take In

August 12th: Dharana/ How We Relate to Our Mind in Thoughts, Words and Deeds

August 19th: Dhyana/ How We Move Beyond Our Mind, We are Not Our Mind

August 26th: Samadhi/ Inner Union and Deep Lasting Peace

Mondays:: 4:30 pm PST - 5:45 pm PST

$150 for the session, Please follow payment button below, Zoom Link will be emailed to you

July 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, August 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, 2024!

Please email me for any Scholarship needs, I want this to be available to all who seek it. denise@divinelightyoga.com

IF you miss a class, no problem! All are recorded and you will receive the recording to do in your own time, over and over!

Note: I am so excited to see you soon!!! contact me with any questions, denise@divinelightyoga.com

Sign up Now and Zoom Link For Summer Classes will be sent to you! We begin Monday !

NEW 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Begins September 12, In Person!

What questions are holding you back from diving into this deeply transformative exploration? Whether you wish to teach yoga or crave to deepen your understanding and practice, this course gives you the phenomenal tools you need right now to reorient towards a sustainable and joyful lifestyle! I will be on zoom Monday evening for your questions!

Info Session for the NEW 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Monday, July 8th 7:30 pm

NEW Class Series Starting Monday, March 4th

Come Play in Your Divine Shakti, Deepen with the Goddess!

Join me to explore and revel in more of your awakened Shakti with these 6 new classes, more Goddesses and a grand finale of embodiment and dialog with your personal Goddess! As I hope you experienced in our last series, these classes are as Sally Kempton says, “an open invitation to deepen your internal conversation with the divine feminine.” I cannot imagine a better time to strengthen our connection to something that is steady and holds us true.

Mythology exists for a reason as it provides a sense of connection to something bigger than us. Using Yin postures, Pranayama, and Restorative yoga with Guided Meditations that focus on each Goddess of the Week, you might find one that you resonate with and use her Mantra to awaken, strengthen and form a new way to move through the world right now. And you will have a great yoga class with a deep restorative relaxation!

All classes are recorded and you will receive a timeless link to take the class as many times as you like.

March 4th: Sita: Goddess of Devotion and Mystical Submission

March 11th: Radha: Goddess of Romantic Longing

March 18th: Kali: Goddess of Revolution

March 25th: Bhuvaneshwari: Goddess of Infinite Space, She Whose Body Is the World

April 1st: Lalita Tripura Sundari: Goddess of Erotic Spirituality

April 8th: Dialoguing with the Goddess

The format for each class will begin with a gentle warm up of long deep slow flowing yoga asanas, followed by Yin Yoga, Pranayama and ending with a Guided yoga Nidra relaxation relating to each Goddess. To learn more, feel free to obtain your own copy of Sally Kempton’s book and go deeper!

Register HERE and your Zoom Link will be emailed to you. We start March 4th!

6 Classes, Live on Zoom

Mondays:: 4:30 pm PST - 5:45 pm PST

$108 for the session, Please follow payment button below, Zoom Link will be emailed to you

March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, April 1st and 8th, 2024!

IF you miss a class, no problem! All are recorded and you will receive the recording to do in your own time, over and over!

Note: I am so excited to see you soon!!! contact me with any questions, denise@divinelightyoga.com

Connecting to Your Voice of Primal Feminine Dignity

In Sally Kempton’s “Awakening Shakti, The Transformative Power of the Goddesses of Yoga”, she says: “We sense that something profoundly important is missing from a world in which the power of the divine feminine is not understood and in which women themselves are out of touch with their own Shakti, the force of feminine strength and the flavors of feminine love".”

New Classes Starting January 8th, Register Here.

Sally continues to share how the modern world has “weakened our bonds with the feminine.” This can be applied to all beings. All bodies contain the sacred Feminine and Masculine energies and an imbalance will most certainly result in disharmony. Whether we are living in a female or male body, we carry these ancient traits and recognize the ways we interact in the world. Finding our way to our deepest and truest nature to me, is the joy of being human. To be able to express how we feel is essential for harmony, ease and comfort for our personal dignity.

Strengthening our relationship to the Sacred Feminine (and Masculine) within, we find a way for that energy to move outward from us to help heal, rebalance and restore the ruptures within and without. Oppressing the rights of female bodied people, diminishing their place in the world, enslaving them and punishing them for natural bodily occurances must stop. We as a people can make a difference by starting with ourselves by establishing a new relationship with a source of inner energy unknown to us before.

Mythology exists for a reason, it can provide a sense of connection to something bigger than us. I invite you to join me over these next 6 weeks to explore 6 of the most powerful and profound Goddesses in the Yoga Tradition. Using Yin Yoga, Pranayama, and Guided Meditations that focus on each Goddess of the Week, you might find one that you resonate with and use her Mantra to awaken, strengthen and form a new way to move through the world right now. And you will have a great yoga class with a deep restorative relaxation!

Week 1: Chinnamasta: Goddess of Radical Self-Trancendence

Week 2: Saraswati: Goddess Who Flows As Language, Insight and Sound

Week 3: Dhumavati: Crone Goddess of Disappointment and Letting Go

Week 4: Durga: Warrior Goddess of Protection and Inner Strenth

Week 5: Parvati: Goddess of Sacred Relationships

Week 6: Lakshmi: Goddess of Abundance and Good Fortune

The format for each class will begin with a gentle warm up of long deep slow flowing yoga asanas, followed by Yin Yoga, Pranayama and ending with a Guided yoga Nidra relaxation relating to each Goddess. To learn more, feel free to obtain your own copy of Sally Kempton’s book and go deeper!

Register Here and a Zoom Link will be emailed to you. we start Monday, January 8th!

6 Classes, Live on Zoom

Mondays:: 4:30 pm PST - 5:45 pm PST

$108 for the session, Please follow payment button below, Zoom Link will be emailed to you

January 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th and February 5th and 12th, 2024!

IF you miss a class, no problem! All are recorded and you will receive the recording to do in your own time, over and over!

Note: I am so excited to see you soon!!! contact me with any questions, denise@divinelightyoga.com

Goddess Lakshmi

New Classes on Line and Special Event in Annapolis!

Divine ones!!

T O N I G H T BEGINS new Fall Session!

Yin and Restorative Yoga is a testament to our growing awareness of the need for balance in our lives. Try balancing your strength and endurance yoga practices with Yin and Restorative Yoga for a new Super Power Yoga – a practice that prioritizes gentle yet profound healing, relaxation, and increased overall well-being. Refilling your reserves will have life enhancing results, your return on investment will be marked! Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a beginner looking to embark on a journey of self-discovery, Yin and Restorative Yoga might be the missing piece in your pursuit of a healthier, more balanced life.

NEW CLASSES ON LINE

6 Classes, Live on Zoom

Mondays:: 4:30 pm PST - 5:45 pm PST

$108 for the session, Please tap here to enroll, Zoom Link will be emailed to you

September 25th, October 9th, October 23rd, October 30th, November 13th and

November 20th

Note: Please mark your calendar for the classes as they do not follow an absolute sequential setting. I am so excited to see you soon!!! contact me with any questions, denise@divinelightyoga.com

Benefits are Lasting and Healing! Better sleep, greater resiliency and increased immune response due to more Parasympathetic nervous system energy!

AND Monday, October 2nd,

Meet me at Ridgely Retreat in Annapolis, MD for a wonderful and heart warming evening of

Yin and Restorative yoga, Sound healing, Yoga Nidra and more!

One night only

Sign up at Ridgely Retreat, help out the Light House Shelter as all profits will go directly to this outstanding community resource.