About Danya
Danya is a C-IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist with a background in therapeutic recreation and decades of experience supporting wellbeing across diverse community settings. Her work is grounded in trauma-informed, evidence-informed yoga therapy, designed to meet people where they are—physically, emotionally, and neurologically.
Danya’s approach to yoga therapy grew from her own experience adapting movement to support pain, nervous system health, and overall wellbeing. Through this process, yoga became a therapeutic tool for regulation, resilience, and self-connection rather than a performance-based practice. This perspective continues to shape her commitment to accessible yoga therapy for mental health, chronic pain, and complex health conditions, especially for those who may not feel at home in traditional yoga spaces.
Since beginning her teaching path in 2016, Danya has continued to deepen her training in trauma-informed care, pain science, and nervous system regulation. In May 2024, she earned her C-IAYT Yoga Therapy certification, allowing her to support clients using a whole-person framework that integrates therapeutic movement, breathwork, mindfulness, and lifestyle awareness.
Danya works primarily in one-on-one yoga therapy sessions and small therapeutic groups, collaborating with clients to support individualized goals. Her areas of focus include mental health and stress regulation, anxiety and burnout, neurological conditions, chronic and persistent pain, energy-limiting conditions, cancer care support, illness recovery, and fascia-focused therapeutic movement.
Through Hummingbird Yoga, Danya offers a calm, inclusive space for individuals seeking gentle, personalized yoga therapy that supports mental health, nervous system balance, and sustainable healing—at a pace that honours each person’s lived experience.
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
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
- Health Coach, Pain BC
- 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
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