1. Tell me about your personal journey with yoga. Why is it important to you?:
Through yoga and meditation I managed to heal my broken body. It was all thanks to a powerlifting session gone wrong. I managed to drop a 250pound barbell, from overhead height, directly on top of my left foot. I shattered nearly every structurally significant bone, and was told the bones were beyond surgical repair, and that I would never be able to run or move the same way I could before.
I was studying to become a personal trainer, and naturally, the experience shook me to my core. For a long time I was depressed. Eventually, I decided I would try to improve, and without having to look very hard, I was introduced to yoga and meditation.
Within 12 months of that injury, with intense dedication and effort, I finished a sprint marathon and was back to near preinjury conditions.
2. When did you first begin teaching yoga? What made you transition into a leadership position?:
I am told (and not just by my mom) that I’ve always held the role of a leader; but as far as teaching goes, after having experienced the healing power of yoga first hand, I decided to make it my life’s purpose to spread these teachings far and wide.
3. What makes your classes unique?:
In truth, I rarely teach typical classes. I focus on leading highly specialized sessions that are designed, not to necessarily be a nice practice, but rather to make you a better practitioner.
Having said that, my understanding of anatomy and movement physiology, plus my experience with deeper, more authentic yoga practices, you can say my sessions are a happy marriage of modern and traditional.
I aim to help people enhance their physical potential; but at the same time, show them the truest, deepest, most incredible version of themselves.
4. How does music benefit your guidance in a yoga class?:
On those rare occasions when I lead actual yoga classes, I like to play something sattvic, ideally some tracks that appeal to modern populations; but still pulling inspiration from more classical roots. Maybe some Indian undertones and mantras mixed in.
However to be honest, I rarely play music in my programs. Again, the sessions I typically lead are highly specialized, and often times adding music can be a bit too much for the mind to process. Ambient background music at most, only if I see that the students are a little anxious or restless.
5. Tell me about your next event and where we can follow you online:
Throughout 2018 I am leading YTT’s, retreats and workshops around the world. Check out my website for specific programs
www.danielrama.com
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