Shawna Renee has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. She was first introduced to the practice in primary school. Fast forward to 2007, Shawna found herself juggling motherhood, a career and marriage with limited success at achieving true balance. After nearly passing out from exhaustion she realized it was time to take control of her life. With a week she returned to her daily yoga practice and thus began a challenging but necessary transformation. Inspired by the way yoga helped save her life, Shawna enrolled in Yoga Teacher Training, studying under Faith Hunter and earning her Hatha Vinyasa Yoga 200 hour certification. Shawna's approach to teaching is a true combination of joy and purpose. Each practice challenges students to explore the subtle but powerful connection between the body, mind and soul by working hard in class and off the mat.
Yoga as a metaphor for life
Shawna Renee believes yoga has the power to transform lives when you approach each practice as a metaphor for life. Her sequences are created to help students uncover the dynamic connection between their physical being and emotional and spiritual selves. In her classes, every pose is not only and invitation to create strength and flexibility in the body, but also an opportunity to apply those same principles to life off the mat. Shawna Renee invites her students to celebrate the inherent duality that is present in us all by challenging them to search for their edge and to receive the peace that is promised when the physical body is exhausted, thus leaving room for our true nature to emerge from a relaxed and meditative state.
Have fun and be free
I encourage all of my students to approach their practice with an equal amount of purpose and wonderment. My classes are upbeat and fun. I will often encourage my students to smile during practice, for an open joyous heart is one that is ready to receive. It is not uncommon to hear a mix of world beat, hip hop and devotional music in my class. As a radio broadcaster and music historian I believe music can often provide a vehicle to transport our minds and souls to a deeper level of understanding. While I like to create a light and enjoyable atmosphere in class, it is never at the expense of proper form. I take great care to ensure that students are executing each asana correctly using verbal cues and hands on adjustments, when necessary. My classes also include pranayama exercises and meditation.
