Students are drawn to her firecracker spirit, which matches her fiery red hair. Her classes are filled with energy, giggles and, of course, dance-tastic playlists. Dayle, is another one of our star-power teachers at New York Yoga who always reminds students that yoga is all about celebrating our limitless spirits. We are ever-grateful for her passion, grace, creativity and fire! Oh, and did you know she just got ENGAGED? Many congratulations to Dayle!
-It's funny how the universe
works things out- I was really disenchanted and unfulfilled in the
career I had set out to do- I came to NYC from Michigan to be an actor,
but after 4 years I realized my heart wasn't in it. I'm a very
spiritual person and I believe that I was given certain talents and
skills for a reason- I wanted to DO something with them- I wanted to
help people- to heal people- to make them
laugh, smile, FEEL, get in touch with themselves... My soul searching
journey led me to yoga and I quickly realized that I wanted to know as
much as I could about this transformative practice- and that I wanted to
share it with anyone who wanted to learn!
Did
you ever imagine yourself doing something else?
-DID I?! So many things! I always wanted to be a teacher, but I didn't
know what I'd like to teach- I thought about becoming a lawyer or an
anchor woman too. I love to sing and with the guidance of my high
school choir director I studied Music and Theatre in
undergrad and had every intention of moving to NYC and being on
Broadway... I knew it wasn't a good fit when I found myself getting
bored yet craving stability-and miserably depressed. I'm still so
grateful for that experience though, because I would probably not have
found yoga if I was a happy anchor woman in Michigan!
What
is the
most challenging aspect of teaching?
-That's a tough one... and it
changes, but I'm gonna say keeping my own tank full so that I can
practice what I preach! Being a full time teacher is tough and like most
New Yorkers I get trapped in doing too much sometimes- I'm constantly
working on the art of saying NO and being honorably selfish... it's a
practice!
What
is your favorite pose?
Why?
I love inversions. Being up side down reminds me of my childhood. I
used to hang out on the side of the bed with my head on the floor and
just stare at the ceiling and imagine the world was upside down. Inversions are magical! Now as an adult they bring up fear and ego and when I let
go of those things I feel so strong and capable of anything... like I
said before, MAGICAL!
-What is the most important thing you have learned from your
practice?
A few things- go with the flow, let go of control and be present. be mindful. just be. and breathe... always breathe.
What/Who inspires you most?
-I am a ring one Circus Yogi and one of the Circus
Yoga mantras is Practice IS Perfect.
I think the process of just practicing something for the sake of
practicing- without the need to achieve anything, but just showing up
and doing, keeps me showing up. On the mat, but also in every area of my
life... practice, practice, practice. Also my students. The dedication
and perseverance I see around me daily is beyond inspiring- it's why I
teach.
You can catch class with Dayle at the Hot Studio on Wednesdays (9:30-11am) and Sundays (6:30-7:45pm). And at the York Studio on Saturdays (5:45-7pm) and Sundays (4:20-5:35pm).
