Denise Davis-Gains
Whether furthering her own education or training future yoga instructors, giving encouragement and opportunity to local artisans, or being mom to her three children, Denise’s intention seem to be quite simple: to assist people in unfolding into their highest potential. She is dedicated and driven to nurture the growth and success of everyone she meets.
Born in Florence, Alabama, Denise Davis-Gains had, as she says, the privilege to have attended high school (and some university) in what she considers to be one of the most beautiful places on the planet – St. John’s Newfoundland. Here, her leadership skills and lifelong interest in learning and self-improvement took hold. In addition to organizing media campaigns for non-violent protest for critical social issues, she participated in psychology experiments, and experimented with speed reading, biofeedback, and advanced learning techniques.
These days, Denise’s professional life concentrates on educating others and herself. She pioneered a Yoga Teacher Training course, the only one to be offered in the tri-cities area. Initially grown in her studio, this extremely well-received course is now part of the Wilfrid University curriculum and takes two forms: a year-long (part-time) option and a month-long intensive option described as “a forty day and forty night sojourn into the depths of your mind, body, and soul.”
Recently, Denise managed the production team and taught yoga for the Inner Quest Intensive, a three-day immersion in living yoga at the renowned Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts.
Denise is studying Sanskrit at McMaster University and is currently acquiring credits in the hopes of being accepted into the Master’s program in the Religion & Culture Department of Wilfrid Laurier University. Having just won the Most Outstanding Part-time Undergraduate Student award, odds are very much in her favour. Denise also has a B.A. in Philosophy, a diploma in Applied Arts with a major in Fashion Merchandising and Communication, and various other accreditations, including certification from the Federation of Yoga Teachers (FOYT). Denise is also a registered member of FOYT.
Through all of her endeavors, Denise is still the Director and primary yoga teacher at Atlas yoga studios. Next to her soothing voice, nurturing and supportive are the words most commonly used to describe the essence of her classes. That’s not to say she doesn’t make you work. She does. But the seamless transition from relaxation to stimulation to penetration (of areas that need attention), then back again is a journey that leaves students feeling content and protected and ready to face the world. For final resting meditation, Denise will even gently tuck you in under a blanket if you want!
“Do less, be more” -- Denise Davis-Gains
At first, Denise’s impressive list of qualifications, pursuits, and experiences seem to contradict her basic philosophy of life. But Denise knows and seems to be mastering that valuable little life secret – that it’s through the stepping back, the quieting of the mind, and the focusing of intention and attention that one taps into that crucial energy to unfold into unlimited potential. One not only gets that sense about her in the classes she teaches but also locates and leaves with his or her own source of it.
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