3/13/2024
The Story of Us: Walt TrantAfter decades of high stress business travel, I was out of shape, stiff and sore from old neglected injuries and far too many hours of sitting at desks and in airplane seats. I'd lost the range of motion and stamina I'd had when I was younger. I found myself tottering like and old man, holding hand rails and groaning whenever I sat down or stood up. Then with the pandemic my travel came to a halt and my work life calmed down enough for me to realize how much I missed my old yoga practice. I'd met and practiced with Diana years ago at Yoga Works, and was happy find my way back to her at Pacific Ashtanga. The first few led classes were intimidating and the next mornings I was muscle sore. There are amazingly strong and flexible students at the Shala capable of practicing way beyond my physical ability. I couldn't possibly keep up, but of course that's not the point. We are not there to make comparisons, and there is no judgement or criticism. When we practice with intention, with patience and compassion for ourselves and others, self awareness and restraint are as much a part of Ashtanga as breath and posture. Every practice we begin again and every day we maybe grow a little. It's all good.
I'm pleased to say that in a couple short years, with the expert gentle coaching of Diana and the other Pacific Ashtanga teachers I'm probably in the best mental, emotional and physical shape I've ever enjoyed. I've regained the range of motion and stamina I'd lost, and more. I'm doing poses at 69 that I could not do when I was much younger. Every day I'm more grateful for the opportunity to be healthy and to be part of the Pacific Ashtanga community. 3/12/2024
The Story of Us: Parisa SoltaniMy name is Parisa Soltani and I have been a yoga practitioner and college professor for nearly 20 years. Since joining Diana and the Pacific Ashtanga Yoga Shala community, my perspective on life has taken a significant shift. The Shala provides a safe space for me to be myself and learn new ways of walking through this world. I have the incredible opportunity to bring the teachings from Diana to my daily work with students. Over the last 8 years, I have learned how the power of community, movement, and breath can heal and help me be the best version of myself – at home, in the classroom and in one-on-one sessions with students. I work primarily with students who have faced much trauma, tragedy, and struggle in their lives and I have and continue to use Your Golden Journey, breathwork and much more of Diana’s teaching throughout my classes and it continues to be a powerful practice for my students. No words can express the transformation I see and feel within; however, I can see it in my daily work with students and with my day-to-day activities and for this I am forever grateful! LUCKY ME!!!! The Power of PRACTICE. 3/26/2019
The Story of Us: Timea AgnewTimea Agnew
We are honored to have Timea instruct with wisdom and love at the Shala.
Practice with her on Tuesday's for a one hour Intro to Ashtanga from 9:30-10:30 am and Wednesday nights for Mysore 6-8 pm 3/22/2019
Cheryl Arrieta
3/22/2019
Ashtanga Yoga LewistonFour of us had begun an Ashtanga practice with the "new teacher" in town. We were not acquainted really. We all practiced at different times. Our teacher decided to move. We had just begun to love our practice, so... we continued to pay the rent on his small space and began practicing together. We read anything we could get our hands on about Ashtanga Yoga. We helped each other with our practice. Joanna came into our group shortly thereafter. That was over 12 years ago and we are now family! We live in the further most corner of Idaho, Washington and Oregon. A small town. No one would have ever heard of Ashtanga. At the time, there was really NO yoga in Lewiston, Idaho. Teresa works as an accountant, Jenn is a writer for our local Newspaper, Carmen is on the sales staff at the paper, Joanna is a physical therapist and also works at the paper. Janine is a wheat farmer. We have since upgraded to an improved space. We each share in teaching. We are GROWING, and two months ago began a Mysore class four mornings a week. On Monday mornings Teresa and Janine "tune in” and take part in Diana's conference. The other three find time during the week! It is truly a big part of our week. It has been such an inspiration to finally get to meet you in Montana! We are quite a distance from any other Ashtangis. |