Tasha Danner

I first came upon yoga as a curious high school student, taking a community class. I kept finding myself returning to yoga again in college and then when I moved to the frenetic city of New York. When I found Jivamukti Yoga center in 1998, I felt like I'd come home. The dynamic asana and devotional chanting taught and practiced there started my long and glorious journey of delving into the many joys of yoga. I am thankful for teachers Sharon Gannon, David Life, Uma Saraswati, and the many others there that helped opened that door. While practicing in New York, I also started attending kirtans with Krishna Das, Jai Uttal and Bhagavan Das, which opened the door to the beautiful art of kirtan and the bhakti path.

Since then, I have studied with many wonderful teachers, both in the US and while traveling abroad. I started my formal teacher training here in Portland at the Yoga Shala, which included Anatomy, Yoga Philosophy, and Asana. I continue to study with both in house and visiting teachers to keep my own practice, as well as my teaching, alive and fresh.

I teach a vinyasa style class, blending movement with breath, to create a deep connection with our true nature, free of judgment or ego attachments. I focus on the needs of each individual student, knowing that we are all unique. Most of all, I encourage a sense of humor, creativity, and for students to let go and enjoy the unfolding of their practice, whatever it may bring.

By a wonderful fate, I am blessed to sing kirtan with Lisa Mae Osborn, Lolo Woods, and the OM girls along with the many yogis who come to sing their hearts open. There is no end to the vast beauty and wisdom of yoga! I thank my teachers, especially those here at the Shala, for their knowledge and amazing lights that continue to guide me along the yogic path.