“Yoga is when every cell of the body sings the song of the soul.”
-B.K.S. Iyengar
My Philosophy
People of all ages and physical abilities are welcome in my classes. I teach with joy and compassion, guiding each student so they can safely and intelligently build their practice at the appropriate level.
I use BKS Iyengar’s approach of teaching all poses from the foundational level up, making my all-level classes graded to accommodate senior practitioners as well as beginners. The use of props such as blocks, blankets and belts individualizes the practice to each student's needs, so those who are less experienced or less flexible get all the same therapeutic effects.
My aim is to help each person work with their own body challenges so they can experience the healing effects and the joy that comes with practising yoga with a brave heart.
"Do not stop trying just because perfection eludes you.”
-B.K.S. Iyengar
About Me
I began studying at Yogaworks in 1991 under the the legendary Maty Ezraty, who helped popularize yoga in the US and created the rigorous teaching program used to train tens of thousands of yoga instructors globally.
I was teaching hatha yoga at Yogaworks when Maty recommended I further my studies in the Iyengar yoga system. So I moved to France in 2001 where I was privileged to study under Faeq and Corine Biria. The late Faeq encouraged me to become a certified Iyengar teacher in 2005.
I continue to study with Corine in Paris whenever possible, and I also take classes with senior teachers around the world. I believe a true teacher must remain passionate about studying in order
to teach well and relate to her students.
In addition to yoga, I have also studied Vipasasna Meditation and Buddhism.
I give classes in both English and French, and have students throughout North American, Europe and in Iran. My favorite part of yoga is the therapeutic aspect of it.
“To take joy in the well-being of others is to share in the riches of the world.”
-B.K.S. Iyengar
Therapeutic Yoga
Trauma, accidents and illness can leave people with extra physical challenges. I'm passionate about the healing potential of yoga, and have spent considerable time studying its therapeutic aspects.
I was trained to work with multiple sclerosis patients at the UCLA Medical Center under the guidance of Eric Small.
I have also spent many hours assisting in the medical classes at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India, as well as at the Centre de Yoga Iyengar de Paris alongside Corine Biriya.
"Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” -B.K.S. Iyengar
Weekly Class Schedules
IN PERSON IN LA
•Mondays 10:45 am PT
•Wednesdays 10:45 PT
•Fridays 5 pm PT
Yoga Changes
1242 20th, St Santa Monica, Ca.
ON ZOOM*
•Thursdays 12 pm PT
•Sundays 10 am PT
WORKSHOPS:
"Learn to Love Backbends"
Sat. Jan. 28, 3pm-5pm PT
$40 Early Bird | $45 Same Day
*Online classes are on a donation basis using PayPal or Venmo. Please contact me before class for the password.
Private, semi-private and therapeutic classes are also available. Please phone or text me at 310.663.2076.
divayoga@yahoo.com
