" There is nothing more beautiful to me than helping others. I believe I was born to help others, and in fact, we are all were. We are stronger together. It is our intention that you always feel heard, cared for and important when you are here at the wellness center. We value you."
-Shawna, co-owner Yosemite Yoga + Wellness
MEET OUR TEAM.
Shawna S.
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co-owner, Yosemite Yoga + Wellness
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teacher + facilitator of yoga, breathwork, Reiki, sound healing, aromatherapy,+ meditation
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owner of Yoga With Shawna
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owner of Desert Dimension
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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.
Dani
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teaches Sundays, 10:15 AM
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teaches Mondays, 5:30 PM
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!
John B.
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co-owner, Yosemite Yoga + Wellness
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teacher + facilitator of yoga + sound healing
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owner of The Smiling Sasquatch Center
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owner of Desert Dimension
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
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teaches Mondays, 9 AM
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.
Nikko
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teaches Saturdays, 9 AM
Nikko has been practicing yoga for 20+ years. She's passionate about connecting people to their body, mind and spirit through their yoga and breathwork practice. She has a healer's heart and embrace the philosophy of ahimsa, which, in essence, means to do no harm, to others or one's self. She brings this to her yoga by encouraging compassion, non-judgement and a gentle approach to one's practice as we all step onto our mats as ever evolving students of the practice. Her goal is to make yoga accessible to everyone that practices with her while also assisting people in their own personal journey with it. Nikko believes that yoga is love and the more we practice from this place, the more we become that which it embodies.