"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do."
- Rumi
Greetings and welcome! My name is Diane Cesa, and I am the yoga therapist in residence.
There are many different styles of yoga and I’ve either practiced or studied the majority of them. Although I call myself a yoga therapist and I focus on therapeutic yoga, I think that the term yoga therapy is redundant. However, in a world where marketing execs have turned yoga into something “sexy” and marketable by showing images of toned, flexible, hard-bodied yogis holding poses that defy gravity, I think that the term yoga therapy is necessary.
I work with every day average people – not cover models that you see on popular yoga magazines
I believe that anyone and everyone can practice yoga – regardless of flexibility, age, physical limitations, etc. Regardless of what your experience with yoga has been thus far, I can open you up to the powerful healing effects of yoga. If you want to transform yourself from the inside out, I’ll show you how yoga can help you do it.
I’ve been influenced by…
Rather than list the names of all of the “famous” yogis with which I’ve studied and styles of yoga that you may not be familiar with, I’ll say this – I have been influenced by certain styles of yoga (including Vinyasa, Kundalini, Viniyoga, Kripalu) and I’ve studied with too many people to name here. My main influence is the teachings of the Krishnamacharya lineage, whose focus is yoga adapted to the individual. In other words, I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all yoga.
I’ve studied with a variety of teachers and have certifications in therapeutic yoga, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, Thai Yoga Bodywork, and Body Rolling. I continue to study, recertify and learn methods so my clients can be confident that they’re getting the best possible care.
I’m hopelessly fascinated by the miracle that is the body and how it’s affected by emotions and vice versa.
My being a yoga therapist is actually quite ironic. Back when I was in elementary school, I used to avoid gymnastics in gym class. Now, I stand on my head every day – and I love every minute of it. I started out practicing yoga regularly while I was working in Corporate America. It was love at first Downward Dog. As time went by, more and more business associates and friends would ask me what I was doing because I looked so healthy and happy. Apparently, my yogic glow was shining through. I told them that my secret was yoga. I then became the source of information for all things yoga to these people. That’s when I realized that a new career was calling me. I enrolled in training shortly thereafter and that’s how my career as a yoga teacher and therapist began.
I’m happy to say that I’m a refugee from the 9-5 world. I walked away from my lucrative job as a marketing copywriter to follow my passion – yoga. For years I walked around in my head not realizing that there was actually something below my neck. I didn’t treat my body very well, and my outer life reflected my inner life. Then yoga came into my life and all of that changed. As a yoga therapist, I am able to introduce the healing powers of yoga to others and help them distress, get to know themselves better, ease physical pain and get more in touch with their body and their true selves. At the very least, I offer folks a 90-minute block of time to get out of their head and be in their body and be in the present moment. Most of my clients tell me that our sessions together are like mini-vacations but instead of bringing back a souvenir, they leave with a lasting sense of physical and emotional well-being. You know how motivational speakers urge people to live their passion? It may sound hokey but I’m doing just that – and I love every minute of it!
When I’m not practicing yoga myself or working with clients, I enjoy blogging (www.ItsAllAboutYoga.com), hiking, spending time with family and friends, reading, meditating, and experiencing new things.
My Mission
To bring the joy of yoga - and the self-discovery and healing that comes with it - to people. I firmly believe that yoga is for everyone and that it can be adopted into any lifestyle. Regardless of age or fitness level, yoga can increase your energy and vitality, and unlock your inner strength. My Om the Move service was created to make yoga more accessible for people and to help people incorporate yoga into their every day lives.
Enough About Me…What About You
Now that you know everything you’d ever want to know about me – probably more than you want to know about me – let’s get down to business. Most often when you see a yoga teacher’s bio, you see “big names” in yoga that have influenced that particular teacher, a lot of names of styles of yoga that you neither care about nor understand, and a lot of Sanskrit terms that you can even pronounce, much less define. Rather than subject you to a bunch of fancy terms or a long, protracted discussion about yoga and its history, I’d like to make things simple by telling what a regular yoga practice can do for you:
· Release chronic pain and blocked energy
· Increase flexibility
· Reduce stress and fatigue
· Tap into the mind/body connection
· Enhance respiration and circulation
· Achieve a sense of well-being
· Promote emotional stability and relaxation
· Prevent illness and injury
· Enhance wellness and help chronic conditions
· Alleviate stress and ease depression and anxiety
· And much more!
Would you like any – or all – of those things? I know it sounds like a tall order, but I can assure you – from personal experience and from what I’ve witnessed with my clients – that YES, yoga is that powerful.
Are you ready to improve your life and start your yogic journey? If so, call 877-751-WELL (9355), email me, or visit the contact us page for more information.
Random tidbits of information...
I am a proud member of the following organizations:
Member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)
Member of Long Island Yoga Association (LIYA)
Giving back
I donate 10% of all gratuities to charity
