I knew when I was a little girl that I wanted to be a teacher. But when I looked at the general “teacher” role I wasn’t interested in the school politics or curriculum. I knew I was still meant to be a teacher but not in the usual role of an elementary or high school setting.
I went through High School taking as many extra classes as possible only having 1 study hall that lasted half of the year, thank goodness it wasn’t any longer! I didn’t like to be bored or just sit in a room doing nothing. I was a doer, action taker but also independent.
I filled my high school schedule with art, cooking, music, computer and technology classes.
When it came to college I thought I was going to be a teacher but my gut was telling me go for something else. I ended up with a business degree and a minor in economics. During college I also took music classes, photography, photoshop and a YOGA studies class. The yogic philosophy stuck with me even though I didn’t always practice the asanas after college. The seed was planted but not yet sprouting.
While attending college full time I had worked at Prudential Fox & Roach Real Estate and acquired my NJ Real Estate License. Then leaped from real estate to the finance world working at Merrill Lynch.
The corporate structure was not for me. I didn’t like sitting at a desk for too long, being stuck indoors, typing away at a computer for hours, taking orders from people…it just wasn’t for me. My misery turned to tears and I knew I needed a change.
I moved to Colorado with my then boyfriend. Colorado is absolutely stunning and beautiful. I was born there and it still has a special place in my heart. Needing money quickly and not knowing anyone that lived there I started working liquor promotions. I made amazing money quickly, met some great friends and had fun while working. I worked my way up to Event Manager and Coordinator with some companies. Throughout this period I was always into fitness and health. I juiced, made smoothies, worked out at the gym, ran, rode bikes, went hiking, etc. Something inside me was telling me that I needed to step out of the unhealthy liquor world and do something with health and wellness. But I didn’t know where to begin.
One summer I started my own Farmers Market Danielle’s Cafe Stand at The Cherry Creek Farmer’s Market in Denver, CO. It was a huge hit and everyone loved it and kept asking where my permanent location was. I didn’t continue with the markets but rather put it on hold and decided to regroup and figure out what I could do. By this time I was married and we had been together for 12 years, we had met in High School. I wanted to do make some changes in my life and decided I wanted a divorce. At first I was happy about it and needed to move forward and continue to figure out what my life’s purpose was. At first I started partying a bit and letting loose. Drinking a lot more alcohol than I usually did, going out with friends, partying, going to festivals, etc. I made some choices that I regret and beat myself up for it for years after. I couldn’t let things go or forgive myself for the poor choices I had made. From drinking too much, dating, not being my authentic self. I was ashamed, embarrassed and disgusted with a lot of the things I did and went through.
6 months or so after the divorce was final I had fallen into a depression. I was lonely, sad, wanted to be back with my ex but didn’t want the same lifestyle or things the way we created them together so I knew that wouldn’t be a good idea. By this time I moved to Los Angeles and was sleeping on my friends couch, thank you so much for that by the way! I was lost but open to possibilities. I signed up for a membership with YogaWorks in Santa Monica which changed my life forever. I started going to a lot of yoga classes. Eventually, I found a room for rent in North Hollywood and stayed there for a few months then relocated to Brentwood, CA near Santa Monica. I loved it there. The warm, sunny weather, never cloudy, rarely rainy. That area has magical weather.
I became a Regional Manager; hiring, training and scheduling events. I met some great friends during this time who had seen me through stages of depression. Only those who were close to me knew I was going though a lot of changes. I didn’t always show it. I’m naturally a bubbly energetic person so it’s easy to hide these feelings. That YogaWorks membership was a lifesaver. Because I was depressed I isolated myself meaning I only spoke to a few people here and there that I had become friends with in the area and there were times I would go days without talking to people. I would go to my yoga classes but wouldn’t talk to anyone at the class nor the teachers. But I was a sponge. I absorbed as much information and knowledge from what the yoga teachers said during class and let it all sink in making changes in my mind and body. There were times I would stay for 3 yoga classes in a row.
Why? For one: I didn’t want to be at home in my lonely apartment in bed crying because I didn’t know what to do with my life and two: because the yoga made me feel better. I was surrounded by positive words, quotes of wisdom, passages from yoga books, yogic philosophy and all of it was helping me transform.
I was in love with yoga and had full yogic bliss. I was still lost, but I was at least having bits and pieces of positive change.
I had gone to Burning Man the year before and decided to go again in 2015. It’s a festival where there’s no money exchanged, you share what you can, you open your heart and share love and compassion for others, you have freedom of self expression and do whatever you want there (as long as it’s not harmful) without judgement from anyone else.
During both visits to The Playa I had slipped into the state of depression again off and on. Even though I am surrounded by thousands of people I had feelings of loneliness and deep sadness. I wanted to manifest someone in my life, a partner that was on a spiritual path, that I could relate to, someone to grow with, someone who was intelligent, didn’t drink or do drugs, someone who was romantic, loving, compassionate and caring, someone that enjoyed the same things I did. I wanted to be able to share life with someone and continue to grow together supporting each other along the way. I sent this feeling out into the universe and that day I met, Taylor.
He was all of those things and more. I was amazed at how quickly I found someone!
He asked me if I would be interested in hanging out outside of Burning Man and I gladly said yes! He asked me to visit him in San Francisco so I booked a plane ticket and stayed for 2 weeks!! During the visit he was looking for a new place to live and ask me if I wanted to move in with him. Another YES from me! I knew that if we didn’t take opportunities when offered them that they might not happen again. And if for some reason it didn’t work out between us we could go our separate ways again and everything would be fine. I didn’t let fear of things not working out come into my mind.
Guess what? …it worked out! Fast forward to 4 years later we are married and live in San Francisco. It wasn’t always a smooth ride…I was miserable at a corporate job I had taken when first moving to the area. But with the lovely support of Taylor he encouraged me to go after what I wanted to do. I decided to go to Yoga Teacher Training down in Santa Monica with Yoga Works. It was a 200 hour, 1 month intensive course. It changed my life and during this training I knew that me being a teacher related to this type of material. The world of Health & Wellness was exactly what I was looking for and what made me feel the most authentic and passionate.
I explored all types of yoga throughout these years practicing Kundalini, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative and more. I loved them all! 💕
A year later I completed a 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training in Bali with Zuna Yoga. Throughout the training we dove deeper into meditations, yoga nidra, chakra energy, restorative yoga, strong Hatha flow and yogic philosophies. Everything I had been reading and learning about prior was being confirmed and solidified during this training. And again I knew I was exactly where I should be, learning everything I needed to advance my path as a teacher and trainer.
When I got back to California after the training I manifested clients needing help with meal planning, food prepping, fitness routines, yoga, mindfulness, mindset and overall Health & Wellness. I quickly gained clients and worked with them through my unique blend of expertise.
Such a rewarding job to 1) help others and see positive changes in them 2) create your own business and hours 3) have more time and freedom for more spiritual growth and life enjoyment.
I was subbing yoga classes at various studios including YogaWorks Palo Alto, Moxie, corporate yoga and other studios. But I felt like I was missing something still. That I liked teaching but that there was more for me elsewhere. A friend of mine mentioned ClassPass and Core40 so I tried them both out. Fell in love with both of them and decided I wanted to teach Core40 classes.
Core40 is a Lagree Method Studio where you workout for 40 minutes on a Megaformer machine. It’s high intensity, low impact getting you strong, lean muscles quickly.
I felt the transformation in my own body quickly with these workouts and knew I wanted to start teaching them so I could be a part of the community. I have since met some amazing fellow instructors and have become great friends.
Throughout my trainings, experiences and knowledge I have created a Mindfulness & Meditation Retreat.
It’s about being aware of your thoughts, finding the limiting beliefs that are holding you back, releasing the negativity, removing the cloudy layers, firing up the powerful energy within you and manifesting the life you want to live. Creating a Happy & Healthy life, full of purpose and abundance.
I guide people through the changes by digging deep within yourself, creating a mind-body connection and awareness, journaling, mindfulness exercises, guided meditations, mantra and affirmation work, emotional and energy tapping, healing the mind and body, balancing the energy centers and becoming in tune with your real self again.
So back to the question:
Why me? Why choose me to lead you on this transformational retreat?
I know this is the right path for me. And I am open to the changes and possibilities this path will lead to. I know I am happiest helping people heal and transform. I truly enjoy seeing people wake up and live again.
Throughout my past experiences and challenges I have gained insight and wisdom that can assist others on their journey. I will share with you the tools and techniques that worked for me and what I have learned from my teachers.
Join me this September 6-8, 2019 in North Lake Tahoe, California for a Mindfulness & Meditation Retreat.
I would love to get you on a path to transformation, healing your mind and body, creating a positive mindset and teaching you how to manifest the life you want.
Retreat into the mountains with:
✔️Mindfulness Practices
✔️Nourishing Foods
✔️Meditation
✔️Breathwork
✔️Nature Walks
✔️Essential Oils
✔️Binaural Beats
✔️Create a Positive Mindset
✔️Releasing Past Emotions
😍RSVP by purchasing your TICKET via Eventbrite HERE.
You can also RSVP and purchase your ticket through Venmo or Zelle.
Share this event with those who need to be recharged, rejuvenated and enlivened! 🙏🏻💕😊🙌🏻
Facebook Event Link is HERE.
Website:
🧐Have questions? Email me: info@DanielleBlends.com.
See you in Tahoe!!
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🙏🏻Namaste
~Danielle