About Danya
With a rich background in therapeutic recreation, Danya has spent years designing and leading wellbeing-focused programs across diverse communities. Her professional experience includes roles such as Activity Worker, Program Supervisor, Sports Director, and Active Living Manager in settings ranging from day and after-school programs to retirement living, neighbourhood houses, and cruise ships.
Danya’s personal journey with yoga began when she learned to adapt her practice to meet her own body’s needs. The impact was transformative—her body felt better, her mind calmer, and her spirit lighter. This shift inspired a deep commitment to sharing yoga’s therapeutic potential with others, especially with those who may not see themselves reflected in traditional yoga spaces, including people of varied ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
Since beginning her teaching path in 2016, Danya has continued to deepen her knowledge through the lenses of trauma-informed care and pain science. In May 2024, she became a C-IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist, expanding her ability to support individuals with a whole-person, evidence-informed approach.
As a Yoga Therapist, Danya works one-on-one and in small group settings to help clients move toward their unique goals. Her areas of focus include nervous system regulation for mental health, neurological conditions, chronic pain, energy-limiting conditions, illness recovery, and fascia-focused practices.
Danya’s intention at Hummingbird Yoga is to create inclusive, accessible spaces where individuals can connect with themselves and explore healing through therapeutic movement and mindfulness.
Vision
At Hummingbird Yoga, my work as a Yoga Therapist focuses on supporting individuals to find comfort and ease in their body and mind through breathwork, gentle movement, and mindfulness.
Yoga Therapy
Training & Certifications
Yoga Therapy & Advanced Teaching
- C-IAYT, Certified Yoga Therapist – International Association of Yoga Therapists
- 800hr Diploma of Yoga Therapy, Ajna Yoga
- 500hr Advanced Teacher of Yoga
- *200hr Yoga Teacher Training
- *80hr Therapeutic Yoga for Pain Management
Specialized Yoga Education
- Trauma-Informed Yoga
- Accessible Yoga
- Yoga for Spoonies (Chronic Illness)
- Yoga Across the Cancer Care Continuum
- Yoga in Healthcare
- Yoga for Traumatic Brain Injury
- Pre & Postnatal Yoga
- Kids Yoga & Yoga for Children with Additional Needs
- Psychology & Mind Yoga Workshop
- Foundations of Yoga for Mental Health
- Chair Yoga
- Restorative Yoga
- Yin Yoga
- Yoga Tensegrity & Fascia – Levels 1 & 2
- Reiki – Level 1
Complementary Health & Leadership Training
- SteadyFeet Balance & Mobility Instructor, Vancouver Coastal Health
- Mental Illness & Developmental Disabilities Training Program, Fraser Health
- Recreation Leadership Certificate, Langara College
- Event Marketing Associate Certificate, BCIT
- Mental Health First Aid
- First Aid & CPR/AED Level C
Teaching Experience
- Inclusive, trauma-informed teaching grounded in accessible approaches that support resilience, empowerment, and healing through movement and mindfulness.
- Older adult programming with:
- Association of Neighbourhood Houses
- PARC Retirement Living
Supporting mobility, independence, and quality of life through accessible yoga.
- Mindfulness-based yoga instruction through:
- The Nadi Tree
- Yogacara
Offering strength-building, balanced, and growth-oriented classes for all levels.
- Adaptive and inclusive sports collaborations with:
- Whistler Adaptive Sports Program
- Vancouver Adaptive Sports Program
- Whistler Sports Legacies
Supporting participants of all abilities, including cognitive and physical differences.
- Youth and family programming with:
- The Yoga Buggy
- Mini Shredders
- YMCA
Creating engaging practices that encourage emotional regulation, connection, and lifelong wellness.
- Specialized adaptive yoga support in partnership with:
- Cerebral Palsy Association of BC
- Spinal Cord Injury BC
- Soldiers On
Designing practices tailored to diverse physical and neurological needs.
- Community outreach and creative wellness initiatives with:
- Audain Art Museum
- Whistler Multicultural Society
- Whistler Community Services Society
Exploring the intersection of movement, expression, and healing.
- Trauma-informed and recovery-focused programming through:
- Yoga Outreach
- Hawkes Program
- Paradise Valley Healing Centre
Offering practices that support mental health and personal recovery.
- Integrative cancer care with:
- InspireHealth
Providing supportive yoga that enhances physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being throughout the cancer journey.
Testimonials from Yoga Therapy clients
“I was fortunate to take a wonderful yoga therapy series with Danya to assist with my circulation issues and to help alleviate stress/anxiety. I can't say enough positive things about Danya as a yoga therapy instructor. She is knowledgeable, she is kind, and she always met me where I was at for each session, listening to my needs. Her voice is extremely calming and she provided a very soothing presence, always allowing various options for movements/poses to align with how my body was feeling. Each class was different, yet effective, and I came out of each one feeling lighter and more relaxed than I started. The visualization and breathing techniques in addition to the stretches/poses I learned from Danya were extremely helpful. I highly recommend Danya to anyone seeking yoga therapy instruction.” - MB
“Danya reminded me of the benefits of foot rolling to ease tension in other parts of the body and offered stretches that can be done while working or relaxing at home, which makes it easier to integrate the practice into daily routine.
I would recommend yoga therapy sessions to anyone who has specific areas of the body to target, who wants to increase mobility &/or support their mental well-being.
I thank Danya for her ease, and genuine interest in supporting me both in mind and body. I felt mentally and physically restored after our practice.” - HM
“I chose to do yoga therapy with Danya because I was recovering from breast cancer surgery and treatment and I felt I needed a practice to heal my body and my spirit. Through our one-on-one sessions, Danya was able the address the lingering aches and kinks while calming my mind. Even though I had been doing some group yoga sessions, I learned that a guided approach was what I needed at the time. Danya made me realise that a few select yoga poses could benefit me more than a yoga class.” - JT