Dawn

Dawn is the ecstatic mother of glorious twin girls; a full-moon dancer, and a silly song-maker-upper. Dawn grew up in Texas close to the Gulf Coast, and has lived in Austin off and on for fourteen years. She lives with her honey, Chris, daughters, Ursula and Freya and two dogs, Pablo and Foxy. She has worked as a graphic designer for thirteen years. Dawn occupies her time hiking with Ursa and Freya, shooting photos of them, designing websites and organic gardening. She believes fiercely in the importance of supporting local businesses and eating local foods.

Dawn has been practicing yoga for seven years. She is certified in Kundalini Yoga and Prenatal Yoga and is currently deepening her Hatha practice by studying Anusara Yoga. She also has experience teaching movement and breathwork from a theatre arts perspective.

Students in Dawn's classes can expect to be part of a community. Depending on the needs of the class and the energy of the room, the class may be challenging and lively or meditative and quiet.

In her Prenatal Yoga classes the focus is on how to make every birth a sacred birth. "There is no judgment placed on birth locations or techniques. We rejoice in the creation of new life and the welcoming of souls earthside." The class might incorporate dancing in a circle, chanting meditations, strength building asanas or primal howling from deep in the belly. Students are encouraged to come with an open mind and an open heart. Friends, birth partners and those wanting to conceive are also welcome to attend these classes.

Dawn's studies in physical theatre brought her to yoga. She has a life-long fascination with movement, the body, and breathwork, born from her own need to move. After taking NIA classes for many years, Dawn longed to study something with deeper roots and a longer lineage. Yoga seemed to be the perfect synthesis between body, breath, mind and spirit. She discovered Kundalini Yoga, and the use of mantra and mudra was exactly what she had been looking for. Since discovering the Anusara Universal Principles of Alignment, her understanding of the Hatha postures has expanded.

Dawn says that her daughters are her biggest yoga influences. She wants to set an example for them, and give them the benefit of growing up with a happy healthy mom. "I want yoga to be part of their natural vocabulary."

She is also influenced by Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa. "The first time I saw Gurmukh, I was floored. She has such a quiet radiance. I couldn't believe how young and energetic she seemed." As a student of Anusara Yoga, Dawn is influenced by John Friend and his heart-centered approach to yoga. "My study of Anusara has taught me, truly, how the practice of asana can be a moving meditation, and it introduced me to the compelling Tantric tradition, which I will be exploring for lifetimes, most likely."

Dawn Recommends:

Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin
Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
The Path of Practice by Bri. Maya Tiwari
Yoga for Depression by Amy Weintraub
Birthing from Within by Pam England
Natural Family Living by Peggy O'Mara

"Even after all this time The Sun never says to the earth, 'You owe me.' Look what happens with a love like that. It lights up the whole sky." – Hafiz

"One regret that I am determined not to have when I am lying upon my deathbed is that we did not kiss enough." – Hafiz