• Shawna, along with John, are the founders and creators of Yoesmite Yoga and Wellness. She loves the trees, waterfalls and the community and is honored to be here. Along with this, she owns Yoga With Shawna (a yoga studio and holistic health school in San Diego) + Desert Dimension (a yoga retreat center in the Joshua Tree area). She has been in business since 2012 and has written 14 books and leads 12 different yoga and holistic health trainings. Yoga and holistic health have saved Shawna's life and she is so grateful for these practices that she has dedicated her life to teaching and sharing them with communities throughout the country.

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Dani is a Bay Area transplant who has been living in beautiful Oakhurst with her husband and 5 beautiful children since 2020! Formerly an avid runner, Dani began her yoga journey in 2011 as an adaptive exercise for her chronic pain and newly found mobility challenges. Since, Dani has studied and incorporated acrobatic, adaptive, therapeutic and trauma- informed yoga into her practice. 

In addition to her love for children and nature, Dani combines her dedication to social betterment, holistic wellness, equity and inclusion into her yoga practice. Dani has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Sociology from UC Davis, and is a Certified Health Coach, Registered Behavior Therapist, School Psychologist Candidate, Social Emotional Learning Facilitator and CYT 200. With her background in mental health, education, and holistic wellness, Dani is committed to creating safe, playful, and inclusive yoga classes for all ages and mobility needs. 

When she isn’t practicing yoga, you’ll find Dani playing with her kids, hanging out with her goats, dogs and chickens, relaxing in nature, or hula hooping! 

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John (along with Shawna) are the owners of The Smiling Sasquatch Center + Yosemite Yoga + Wellness. Born in Arizona, Yosemite is one of his favorite places in the world and he is so happy to be a part of the community. Certified in Hatha + Vinyasa Yoga and Yin Yoga as well as Sound Healing, John is an avid rock climber and lover of hiking and sailing. He loves music and creating classes that are strong and making people feel energized. He also enjoys slowing down and teaching Yin and restorative styles of yoga to make people feel relaxed and calm. He used to be self conscious to go to yoga classes because he was not the most proficient when it came to balancing poses but learned that yoga was a place to work on himself and improve but also to not judge himself when he was incapable of moving in a certain way. That was the start of learning yoga is much more than just the Asanas (poses). 

Sarah is an RYT-500, as well as a personal trainer who was raised in the mountains who  has been serving the community’s fitness and yoga needs since 2020. Her goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive class environment. She creates  carefully crafted sequences that balance effort and ease. Sarah loves connecting with others  through teaching, and helping people connect with themselves in the process. 

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Maddie, a mountain native, is a RYT-500 yoga and meditation teacher who has studied under world renowned teachers and gurus from a young age. Her passion is using a holistic approach to yoga, while keeping the tradition alive. Health is wealth!

Jessika is dedicated to sharing her love of yoga and dance with others.  She is a long-time student of yoga, pole, aerial, and dance.  Jessika does not believe in perfecting the pose but instead in using the pose to connect within and to allow for restorative energy to flow.  Recently certified, she is excited to guide her students to new discoveries about themselves through yoga.  Jessika believes strongly in the interconnectedness between body, mind, and spirit.  As a Reiki practitioner she guides healing energy to where it is needed, for the highest good of each person.

Having moved near Yosemite at the end of 2019, Jessika is grateful to be surrounded by nature.  She enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, her forever puppy, and her friends. She can’t wait to meet you!

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