Dhyana Yoga – Dallas Yoga Teacher

“Don’t be afraid to shine your light. When you do so, you unconsciously give others permission to do the same.”

Sweet deAnna,

May you continue to be blessed with beauty and strength

for the great work we are doing together.

With Great Love All Is Possible,

Sharon Gannon

To All Past, Present & Future Students,

Thank you for blessing my life with your presence.

It is truly an honor.

Peace & Blessings,

deAnna

deAnna,

You are more than an inspiration.
You are an intergalactic seed planter.
See ya at the eternal party at the end of time.

Blessings,
Tanya

Dear deAnna,

I think you are doing an excellent job of teaching our classes — especially
considering the diversity of the backgrounds of the students. We have
widely different ages, health concerns, religious views, and reasons for
even being in a yoga class. Yet, you are patient and understanding of all
of us and our limitations … and often seemingly total lack of desire to
advance spiritually at all. Still, you introduce new insights into the
poses, take time to explain the ideas behind the practices, and always make
time to assist us all individually. One never feels that you have
“favorites” in the classes. We are equal in your eyes. And, you are also
accepting and tolerant even of those “advanced” students who often want to
go their own way during the class — no matter what the instruction is for
everyone else. Indeed, you even accept with a smile the clever (or perhaps
not so clever) verbal quips of some of the more verbose students, such as
yours truly.

You are doing very good work that is touching many lives in many ways. I
wanted to take the time to acknowledge that and to thank you for your
sincere, heart-felt efforts that I have received from your classes. As we
spoke today after class, I came to realize, even more so, just how much you
really do care about everyone’s long term welfare and how much you do try
and take the long view of this affair we call life.

Thank you and keep up the good work!

J

deAnna, thanks so much for your words… They are so very helpful…

See you soon, Helen

Hi deAnna: Just a quick note to tell you how much I am enjoying
your classes….Cindy and I were talking about how much we enjoy your class
(AND, that you are funny!)….. I will be going to Yoga on Friday (in Florida).
The classes at my friend’s club are not as good, but, hey, it’s a
class…and a practice…so, it’s a good thing. See you next week.
Thanks for helping me calm down and overall feel more centered…..

Warm regards,
Lisa

deAnna-
I just wanted to say thank you for your profound motivation section
on your newsletters. This particular one relates so much to what I’m
currently reading, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I am slowly starting
to comprehend the power of the present and becoming more aware and appreciative
of now instead of being so focused on the future. What a relief it has
been for me thus far. And so I just wanted to say thank you for your
sharing and teachings. Have a great day

Shanti,
Maribel

deAnna,
Great class today, my shoulders really opened up!
I wanted to talk to you about reading some books about yoga.
I am really interested in the spiritual side, especially about Shiva
and all the little stories you tell us. I figured you could give me
some recommendations.

Shanti,
Amber

Hi deAnna,

Thanks for adding me to your e-mail list. I believe
in telling someone when they have impacted me in a
positive way, so thanks also for being such a fabulous
teacher. I teach power yoga in Fort Worth at numerous
places, and with the exception of going to Yoga
conferences have had most of my yoga experiences in
health clubs. I’ve been searching for a teacher for
two years, and have been unable to find one in Fort
Worth. I was looking for a teacher who combined
philosophy with practice, who challenged with
kindness, and who was not ego driven. After my first
class with you I told my boyfriend that I believe I
had found my teacher!

Peace & blessings.
Namaste
Lorie Grandclair

hey there…
It was just a small gesture to say thanks for
everything. You have been a wonderful teacher and
such an inspiration ( there definitely is no
replacement in LA). You truly have been a blessing
to myself and others. I haven’t even been doing yoga
lately so your newsletter really got me. Its just
hard when everything is so chaotic to find the time.

I thought about writing you a while back because you
always seem to have a good outlook on situations. I
know you’ve been having alot to deal with on your own
right now so maybe you can give me some perspective.
Also do you know a good mantra for me right
now?.

I just started reading The Essence of Yoga by Bernard
Bouanchaud about the yoga sutras so I guess I haven’t
slacked off entirely.

I hope you are doing well, and in good spirits. You
know if you ever want to come and visit your friends
in LA you should consider doing a workshop here. I’m
sure you know lots of people in LA and I’m here so
we’d all help get the word out and theres noone here
teaching Jivamukti. If nothing else it would be a
good excuse to visit and probably cover the cost of
your trip. Just something to think about.
Tamara

Just wanted to send you a quick thanks for all you do!
I love and appreciate your classes and all of your help!
See you soon.
Melissa

deAnna,
Thank you soooooooo much for that awesome workshop. I can’t wait to hear
from everyone over the next few days about how they liked it. I’m so glad
you felt good in our studio. It has always been a comfortable and peaceful
place for me.
See you soon!!!
Lori

Hi deAnna,
Just wanted to let you know how much i look forward to coming
home and going to your Jiva classes. They really are the best
classes I have found, and you have totally inspired me to bring
some Jivamukti to the classes i teach in Canada. Thanks for always
assisting in the right way, and pushing me to do asanas which i
don’t even know i am capable of. As always i will look forward to
the next time I am in your class!
namaste,
Sarah

DeAnna,

I miss you. Jivamukti is not the same without YOU!

Allison

Deanna,

You are such an inspiration. Your class is much like water
to a fish; you just can’t live without it. I absolutely love
how you bring all the pieces of life’s puzzle and put them together
in one class. Not only are you a teacher to your students, you are
also a friend; and that is what separates your class from other yoga classes.
In a world full of chaos and negativity, you bring us an environment of balance
and lots of laughter. I think that must be what I enjoy most about your class;
being able to laugh. You provide a space for total liberation from the worldly
confines of “etiquette” Thank you for your encouragement. I hope I will be a
delightful example of your teaching when I go to New York for teacher
training in April.

Namaste and Shanti,
Shanna Lee

Deanna

Next month is a year for me practicing yoga. You know I
remember that one class where you were teaching beginning flow.
You told us that downward dog was resting position.
(I understand why you need it for Julie’s class )
Ok off random thoughts. I want to just say thanks for your
dedication to us.
Deanna, you challenge and encourage us to keep going.
I have learned so much this year. I know the sacrifices
you make to teach us. Well, you helped me to turn my life around.
If there is anything that I can every do please ask.

Your student and friend,
Forrest

Hi deAnna,

Thank you for a great year of yoga. It is such a treat to go to your
classes and get to explore and experiment in a safe, loving environment.
Have a great holiday season, see you soon!
Peace,
Namaste,
Lori

deAnna,

Thank You so much for your teachings and for bringing
Sharon and David to Dallas. This weekend was enchanting
and enlightening. Here is this month”s newsletter for Vegetarian
Dallas if there are any of your students interested,

whole heart,
Christiana Wyly

deanna,
just a quick note.
Please know what your kindness means to me. Scott totally feels the energy
from class–not a surprise to you, I know. Allison Hatfield said to me
that “Jivamukti will totally change(your) life” She was right on
so many levels. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thanks so much
for your prescence in my life.
leigh

DeAnna,

Thank you for your generosity of spirit.

Lisa Dawson

deAnna,
Thank you for the uplifting and energizing Jivamukti practice on Sunday.
I have such a hard time finding a Jivamukti Instructor that I only get to
practice the style three or four times a year – so I take every chance I get.
I really appreciated your eclectic mixture of music during the practice. It was
fun to hear popular music from outside the “expected” yoga genre.

Your humorous approach to difficult postures brought energy and life to the room.
Your style is very popular as evidenced by the number of students you have. Rest
assured that I will come back to class the next time I am in Dallas this summer.
?

Dear deAnna,
I just wanted to let you know how grateful I feel to have stumbled upon you and
your Jivamukti class last summer. The year 2004 brought many varied ups and downs
in my life. Your class, with all it’s great people, music and your direction and
inspiration helped me to develop a calm steadiness through a difficult year.
You are an excellent teacher and I’m blessed to have found you.
Wishing you much love, good health and abundance in 2005.
CQ

deAnna,
I want to thank you for coming to East Texas to teach Jivamukti Yoga. What an
honor it is to have your presence here! I am truly grateful to you for sharing
your wealth of knowledge and experience with all of us. You have given all of us
a gift!
Thank you again!
Many blessings,
Fran, Yoga Tree Kilgore

deAnna,
I thought I might take a minute & just tell you thanks. deAnna, you have
inspired me in many ways to take a look at my own life to how I treat others.
deAnna, I can never repay the things you have taught & shown me through your
examples, readings, meditation etc. Anyway, Im not good with words but I would
like for you to know what you have done for me.
Sincerely,
F

Dear deAnna,
Thank you so much for your inspriational Jivamukti workshop. We all loved your
teaching style and your genuine personality. I look so forward to seeing you at
THE workshop.
Namaste,
Sloane Park, Yoga Island Flower Mound

Hi Deanna- you and I haven’t spoken that much over the last few months
that I have been taking your class, but I wanted you to know that it has been
truly transformational for me. I want to say Thank You, and also share with you
one of the poems that you have inspired. I hesitate to share my writing because
they are performance pieces and don’t read all that well written down. But I
want to express gratitude for your precious divine influence.

Beyond the silence

Within———-the silence

In the place that is no place

Where there is no time and no location

Every place is the center of the universe ———–everything IS everything

And there is no reference point for touch

I am the center of the universe

and my breath quickens

the pulse

a vibration

that measures the depth of my self like sound bouncing from the trenches of the sea

the water cradles it and carries it from above

to beneath to above

I used to ask about the hummmm as if someone outside me would know

What it sounds like inside my mind

Because when we are small we do not know what is within and what is without

We are the center of the universe

And then I constricted

To fit neatly into the jar

In which I could be examined from all sides

and placed neatly in a row on the shelf

Until I did not even remember that I was contained

Except for the pain in folded shoulders

And the ringing in my ears

I needed to be broken

To be free

To awaken and remember

That the hummm

IS me

And now I—– am the center of the universe in the midst

Of sound AND silence

And bits of broken glass

Good night.

Sage

Dear Friends at Larry North,

I was so surprised to receive the beautiful flower arrangement.
I guess deAnna told you about my accident. I was at her wonderful
class on Friday morning before I left town and the accident happened.
I know I am blessed to be alive and to have injuries that I will recover from.
Although all of ICU and most of the hospital stay are a blur I was told several times
that my good physical condition helped me to recover and would continue to help
with the healing once I got home. I was in the best shape I have been in since
college. Of course, it was because of my total faithfulness to deAnna’s yoga
class and to my somewhat faithfulness to the machines. I really was as strong
as I’ve ever been. I cannot imagine how I’ll ever get back there. I know I want
the mental and physical strength back so please know that my goal is to return.

Thanks for your gift, concern and support.
Love,
PW

deAnna,
Thanks for taking such great care of me.
Love,
Gary

deAnna,
Thank you for all that you do for me-much happiness in the coming year.
Love & Blessings,
BH

DeAnna,
Thank you for your sincere and focused commitment to DYC and its vision.
Your desire to spread the joys of yoga is greatly appreciated by us
and all of your students. The effort you put into building our community
and helping us make it run more smoothly has helped make it a truly wonderful
resource to hundreds of people whose souls have been inspired and transformed.
You know that Krishnamacharya said that the community is like a field and the
fruits of yoga only exist when there is a good field to plant seeds within.
Thanks for making last year a Great one and we hope 2005 is even better.

David and Lisa

DeAnna,

Thanks for all your support and guidance. If it weren’t for
your influence, I wouldn’t have gotten this far.

Lots of Love,
Shanna Lee

DeAnna,
Thanks for all your help and support.
Fondly,
Janet N.

DeAnna,

I had a knee scope yesterday and they were very impressed
with how well my leg was extending etc. – I told them I did yoga
and they said that had to be it!

Thank you for my quick recovery.
Lyle

DeAnna,
I have enjoyed your classes so much and appreciate all your
help and support.
JN

D-

Your classes made my stay in Dallas!
Thanks for sharing your passion.

It’s a gift.

Love,
Lauren

DeAnna,

Thank you for inspiring me all year long!
I look forward to an even better 2006!

Your friend,
Mary Kathryn

Dear deAnna,

I just want you to know that I really value and appreciate you as a teacher
and like and admire you as a person. You have taught me a great deal,
and through this experience I am learning more as well.
You have an intelligence and wisdom that coupled with your humanness have
inspired me to change some negative patterns and embrace more positive ways to
approaching life. This is no minor feat, and for this I thank you. You have a
special and rare gift. I appreciate you sharing it with me and others.

Namaste,
M

DeAnna,

Thanks for giving me adjustments and for making me laugh and think.

Diane

D-

I am one of your biggest fans. I have been a devoted member
of your fan club for over 3 years. I always tell you how
fantastic you are. I always appreciate your humor, your words
and ideas. And of course, your DJ skills are a huge bonus.

D, I have always respected you. I was very sorry to hear about your grandmother.
I hope she knew that you give more than you take.
You are a wonderful beautiful woman and I know that 2006 is going to be a much
better year for us all. Please know that I am on your team and always will be.

WW

Dear deAnna,

Thank you so very much for your loving warmth and generosity.
Your support has helped DYC to expand and grow, providing the best
tht yoga has to offer to the Dallas community.
May the depth and beauty of your practice continue to unfold
into all the corners of your life!

Love,
David and Lisa

Dearest deAnna,

As we conclude this year and begin the next, I would like to thank you
and take the time to tell you how important you are to me.
DeAnna, you came into my life two years ago at a time when I was having
big personal and professional change along with some health challenges
that forced me to rethink, rebuild and redefine my life. I sorely needed
spiritual guidance, and there you were with your limitless compassion,
encouraging words, challenging questions, loving touch, meaningful answers,
heartfelt genuineness, intelligent thoughtfulness, spunky wisdom and
wonderful sense of humor and humiity all the while being true to yourself
and your journey. DeAnna, you inspire my heart and spirit every day and help
me be a better me. You often say that the real mark of practice in life is off the mat.
Please now that the gifts you share with your pupils extends beyond the mat into
our daily lives. You touch everyone we touch. You are much more than a yoga instructor-
you are a life instructor.

For this, I applaud and admire you!
M

Dear deAnna & The Larry North Yoga Ladies,

Well girls, this is my second attempt at writing you a thank you note!
I started Friday to write a few notes. Today I reread what I wrote
and don’t know if it was the drugs or I was feeling sorry for myself but the
letter made no sense and sounded like poor, pitiful me. So here goes with less
drugs and knowing I’m lucky to be aliveand have great chances of recovery-
totally.

I don’t want to talk about the wreck now but to tell you that, deAnna I did use my yoga.
I was laying there on that highway and could hear people screaming around me. I couldn’t
make my body get up and I thought I was dying because I couldn’t breathe. So I practiced
my yoga breathing. In and out through my nose. I continued to use it in the helicopter
and at the hospital. I felt if I could control my breathing, I was certainly alive and
would calm down.

I’m pretty beat up inside. The trunk of my body is still swollen from the surgery
and banging around. I’ve been wearing my yoga clothes and look like I might
do some yoga but I don’t know when I’ll be able to join you again. I don’t bend
at the waist now. Please know the desire is still there; not just to feel the joys
of yoga but the blessing of the friendship of women. I consider it an honor
to have made friends with all of you. It is not based on college, sorority,
friends of my girls or my husband’s business. Just the peace, bliss, unconditional love
and boundless joy of yoga friends.

Much Love,
PW

Please enjoy the feedback! To add your comments email deanna@dhyanayoga.com.