Dana Varela
she/her
RYT 200,
How long have you been practicing yoga?
I have been practicing yoga for 10 years. My background as a functional movement strength training coach complimented the alignment-based teachings of Hatha yoga. My existing knowledge and passion for understanding of anatomy has only been deepened through my own yogic practice and yoga teacher training education.
What have you learned or how have you grown since becoming a YCC instructor?
Teaching yoga is a gift. I have gained so much from my students. I am grateful to be a witness to a student feeling better physically, energetically or emotionally. When a student discovers they can practice more or deeper than they believed possible and they develop awareness, my heart smiles. I love that I can take my knowledge and my own experience and share that with others and assist them on their own yogic journey.
What to expect in class: Dana aims to provide her students with a transformative journey incorporating a strong alignment-based physical experience while creating awareness, utilizing breathwork, mudras and a heartfelt quality to honor the vast traditions of yoga. She helps students to find a balance between the body, mind and spirit in a safe, enlightening and yet confidence-enhancing way, on and off the mat.
Dana began teaching at the Yoga Center of Columbia in 2026 as an RYT 200, and plans to complete YCC’s RYT 500 Advanced Teacher Training program in 2026. Her current areas of interest are refining her knowledge of the fascia (connective tissue), subtle body energies and the Chakras, and looks forward to incorporating her advanced training into her classes.
