Danielle Diamond

For almost ten years, Danielle Diamond, E-RYT 500 hr, has been teaching a kick-butt yoga class that focuses on alignment and breath to open your body through a creative sequence, designed to make you smile as much as you’ll sweat.

From Danielle:
Before I became a certified teacher, I stumbled upon yoga while producing a fitness video for MTV. As a hard-core runner I never thought about flexibility, but the first time I stepped on the mat changed all that.

Yoga allowed me to stop and breathe….
probably for the first time in my whole life. The physical element of the practice made my body feel great, but more important was the effect learning to meditate had on my mental health. Since that first day, I believe that my daily “cushion sitting” is the sole reason I’ve been able to...

find peace inside myself…
its allowed me to face my biggest challenges head on: my mother’s suicide, my father’s bankruptcy, and my own body issues.

More and more, I noticed that my students would lift weights after doing yoga. This inspired me to develop Xen Strength and create a modern twist on yoga that truly meets my client’s needs. My program combines a vinyasa flow with light hand weights, and will be featured in the book I am currently writing about yoga and the Zone Diet with Dr. Barry Sears of The Zone Diet fame. I’m extremely honored to have recently been featured in Bobbi Brown’s Pretty Powerful campaign and upcoming book; and I’m also the featured wellness blogger on her blog: www.everythingbobbi.com

I’m passionate about studying with world-renowned teachers and I travel frequently to do so. I’ve completed an advanced vinyasa teacher training with Shiva Rea, plus intensive workshops with Tim Miller, Anna Forrest, Cyndi Lee and David Nichtern, Rodney Yee, Bryan Kest, Beryl Bender- Birch, Rolf Gates, Sadie Nardini, Sharon Gannon, David Life, and Baron Baptiste. Most importantly, however, are my teachers closer to home- Jennifer Kohl, who gave me my first opportunity to teach; and Christopheray, whose moral compass and wise-ass intensity with which he teaches continue to inspire me.

As a result of my practice,
I’m in the best shape of my life-

physically, mentally and ultimately spiritually. The eight limbs of yoga have taught me not only the value of compassion and contentment, truth and service, but at the end of the day being okay with each moment and what it holds. Through my practice I’ve learned that FEELING GOOD trumps all, and it’s my mission to share that with as many people as possible!