Maria Dimarucut

A dancer for years - ballet, jazz, modern and flamenco – Maria Dimarucut brings an inspirational grace and beauty to her practice. She received a B.S. degree in Dance from the University of California, Irvine with an emphasis in teaching. Because she understands how a body moves, she guides her students toward proper alignment with simple explanations and mindful adjustments.

Maria was first introduced to Ashtanga in 2003. From her first class, she was hooked. “I’d taken hatha yoga at a gym but loved the physical challenge and dance-orientation of Ashtanga.” Ashtanga’s repetitive sequencing and vinyasa-flow (linking breath with movement) give it a unique, choreographed feel that becomes meditative and graceful with ongoing practice.

She has even noticed more patience and a forgiving perspective on problems since she began Ashtanga. When she sees students struggling with vinyasa, she reminds them that this isn’t a competition, to take it easy and focus on the breath. “The hardest part to remember is that this is a daily, lifetime practice - both on and off the mat.” Maria has been studying with Diana Christinson since 2003 and completed Tim Miller’s Ashtanga teacher training in 2006.