Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Meet Your Mentors: Shauna MacKay E-RYT



Shauna MacKay will be a mentor in our upcoming 300hr Professional Teacher Training Program. This program begins in September and our first information session is on Sunday June 1st from 1-2pm at Prana Yoga Center.

I began my yoga journey 14 years ago in an Ashtanga class, in Del Mar. It was intense and I loved it! For the first time in years, I felt freedom from my over-trained athletic body and my overused philosophical mind. 

The practice became my medicine. My postures were never “pretty” but over time my breath deepened and my heart softened. I loved yoga, yet never imagined I would ever become a yoga teacher! I simply felt I wasn’t good enough. 

My mom started practicing yoga at age 78. She experienced the heart of yoga and reminded me that yoga was a transformative practice, regardless of age, fitness level, or years of dedication. 

A couple of years later when my mom was dying of cancer, I had a vision of someone guiding her through a gentle in-bed yoga practice. Within weeks of her passing, I registered for the 6-month YogaWorks Teacher Training program. 

Less than 2 years later, I found myself at the bedside of a brave and beautiful, stage IV breast cancer patient, guiding her into a place of stillness and peace. It was a moment that I will never forget.

With a degree in Physical Education and several years working as a fitness trainer, I take an anatomical and structural approach to breaking down the practice, to make it accessible to various levels and limitations. I adore teaching seniors and working with students who have cancer and other illnesses. My Hatha class is not a gentle class rather a thoughtful, kosha-inspired vigorous event. 

When not teaching yoga, I love to pile onto the sofa with Henry and Millie, my rescue kitties, and my husband Ron to watch competitive cooking shows.  

Mentoring a yoga teacher on their journey is a privilege that I take very seriously. There is no greater relationship than one whose intention is to inspire the best in each other. 


Shauna teaches regularly at Prana Yoga Center  Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30am, Saturdays at 10:15am and Mondays at 10am. You may find our more information about Shauna on her website. 






Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Meet Shawnee Thornton Hardy: Asanas for Autism & Special Needs



Shawnee is a graduate of the 300hr Professional YogaWorks Program at Prana (class of 2012), and author or ASANAS FOR AUTISM & SPECIAL NEEDS

I received my 500-RYT through YogaWorks at Prana Yoga Center in La Jolla, under the guidance and mentorship of the wonderful Rachel Krentzman. I remember presenting my final presentation at Prana for my 500 yoga certification with the dream of bringing the benefits of yoga to children with special needs.  That was only the beginning of the manifestation of my dreams. 

Through my training and studies in yoga therapy and my experience with children with special needs I decided to infuse my two passions and teach YOGA to children with special needs.   

Since then I have worked privately with children with special needs, taught small groups, and workshops on yoga therapy and yoga for children with special needs at a major conference. 

I’m excited that this year my book ASANAS FOR AUTISM AND SPECIAL NEEDS will be published, coming out in December 2014 in the UK and other countries, and January 2015 in the US and Canada. I’m currently working on a yoga curriculum for parents, educators, yoga teachers and other professionals in the field of education to use as tools to support the unique learning styles of children with special needs.

My expertise has been in developing positive behavior programming for children with special needs so they learn to express their feelings and emotions more effectively, learn how to interact appropriately with others and be an active part of school, home and the community.  

I am also a registered yoga therapist through the IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists) and have received certification in the application of  Purna Yoga therapeutics for digestive disorders, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, asthma, bronchitis and diabetes from Master Teacher Aadil Palkhivala. I work with private clients and small groups to support individuals in healing from injuries, working through anxiety and depression and increasing their overall health and well-being.    I have worked with children with special needs for 15 years.  I also have a masters in Special Education and have worked ​with a variety of disabilities including Autism, ADD/ADHD, ED (emotionally disturbed), Fragile X, Down syndrome, Prader willi and many other children with language processing deficits, sensory challenges and behavioral challenges.

Shawnee has been published on MindBodyGreen, Rebelle Society and Elephant Journal. Read more about her work on:

Asanas for Autism & Special Needs