<![CDATA[Pacific Ashtanga Yoga Shala

<![CDATA[Pacific Ashtanga Yoga Shala - Blog]]>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 04:23:14 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Breath Workshop Series]]>Wed, 15 May 2024 18:58:03 GMThttps://www.pacificashtanga.com/blog/breath-workshop-series

]]><![CDATA[The Story of Us: Derek]]>Sun, 07 Apr 2024 19:51:05 GMThttps://www.pacificashtanga.com/blog/the-story-of-us-derekPacific Ashtanga Yoga Shala is a sanctuary, an oasis for me. Diana Christinson has gathered an open and loving community that is welcoming and encouraging to beginners and longtime practitioners alike.

This is not a gym. Diana offers a supportive environment for a solid Ashtanga practice, but she also teaches why we do this practice, the medicine it offers, how to move, how to breath, how to get the most out of this practice, body/mind/spirit. She reminds us through class and discussion to look at our lives, the journey we’re on, and how this practice can help us. She offers a range of tools to help us become more self aware.

Her guidance has taught me to be more loving, more compassionate, and kind. I've learned breathwork, energy movement, and focus, and how to incorporate these into my ashtanga practice to make it a moving meditation. This all may sound a little woo woo to some, but it works. Why not become a better person through a mindful movement meditation? I would recommend this studio, this classroom, to anyone who is looking to be stronger, more flexible, and finally, more content.]]><![CDATA[The Story of Us: Joyce]]>Wed, 20 Mar 2024 19:41:23 GMThttps://www.pacificashtanga.com/blog/the-story-of-us-joyceI’ve been a yoga practitioner for over 20 years and a yoga teacher since 2013. I’ve also
been a professor and a behavior analyst for more than 25 years.I’ve practiced breath meditation since childhood. Through Diana’s teachings, I’ve come to know the beauty in the union of breath and movement, and that yoga’s greatest benefits are realized through consistent practice and teaching as a way of life, of self-transformation.

Interacting with clients, students, staff and family, I am most concerned with their quality
of life. I want to make sure each of us has the building blocks to consistently engage
and experience positive emotions. I also want all of us to build strong relationships, and
to accomplish our dreams, hopes, and goals to live meaningful lives. Daily yoga
practice including asanas, breath work, and metta meditation is one way to profoundly
elevate quality of life.

My behavior analytic work focuses on treating people with profound autism who often
exhibit severe behavior challenges. I work with a dedicated team of clinicians who
share the same mission and vision. Recently, I’ve been privileged to help colleagues
and students in difficult situations by guiding them through breath work and gratitude
meditation. As I watch the gradual shift from distress to peace and calm by this simple
but meaningful practice, I am forever grateful to the beautiful teaching we call yoga, and
the sacred space this community holds for all of us.

]]><![CDATA[The Story of Us: Walt Trant]]>Wed, 13 Mar 2024 21:05:38 GMThttps://www.pacificashtanga.com/blog/the-story-of-us-walt-trantAfter decades of high stress business travel, I was out of shape, stiff and sore from old neglected injuries and far too many hours of sitting at desks and in airplane seats. I'd lost the range of motion and stamina I'd had when I was younger. I found myself tottering like and old man, holding hand rails and groaning whenever I sat down or stood up. Then with the pandemic my travel came to a halt and my work life calmed down enough for me to realize how much I missed my old yoga practice. I'd met and practiced with Diana years ago at Yoga Works, and was happy find my way back to her at Pacific Ashtanga.

The first few led classes were intimidating and the next mornings I was muscle sore. There are amazingly strong and flexible students at the Shala capable of practicing way beyond my physical ability. I couldn't possibly keep up, but of course that's not the point. We are not there to make comparisons, and there is no judgement or criticism. When we practice with intention, with patience and compassion for ourselves and others, self awareness and restraint are as much a part of Ashtanga as breath and posture. Every practice we begin again and every day we maybe grow a little. It's all good.

I'm pleased to say that in a couple short years, with the expert gentle coaching of Diana and the other Pacific Ashtanga teachers I'm probably in the best mental, emotional and physical shape I've ever enjoyed. I've regained the range of motion and stamina I'd lost, and more. I'm doing poses at 69 that I could not do when I was much younger. Every day I'm more grateful for the opportunity to be healthy and to be part of the Pacific Ashtanga community.

]]><![CDATA[The Story of Us: Parisa Soltani]]>Tue, 12 Mar 2024 21:15:42 GMThttps://www.pacificashtanga.com/blog/the-story-of-us-parisa-soltani4797698

My name is Parisa Soltani and I have been a yoga practitioner and college professor for nearly 20 years. Since joining Diana and the Pacific Ashtanga Yoga Shala community, my perspective on life has taken a significant shift. The Shala provides a safe space for me to be myself and learn new ways of walking through this world.

I have the incredible opportunity to bring the teachings from Diana to my daily work with students. Over the last 8 years, I have learned how the power of community, movement, and breath can heal and help me be the best version of myself – at home, in the classroom and in one-on-one sessions with students. I work primarily with students who have faced much trauma, tragedy, and struggle in their lives and I have and continue to use Your Golden Journey, breathwork and much more of Diana’s teaching throughout my classes and it continues to be a powerful practice for my students.

No words can express the transformation I see and feel within; however, I can see it in my daily work with students and with my day-to-day activities and for this I am forever grateful! LUCKY ME!!!! The Power of PRACTICE.

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