Dena Beratta, E-RYT 500, YACEP
Yoga is magic. Okay, it's not really magic, but it feels like it. When I committed to the practice of yoga, every part of my life got better! I have absolute faith that all people can find their lives forever improved as the result of a regular yoga practice. It brings me great joy to share in other practitioners’ yoga journeys, offering as much guidance and assistance as I can.
I took my first yoga class over 25 years ago, but I started practicing on a regular basis in 2007. That’s when I realized that I was connecting with myself on the mat. I felt completely peaceful, and I was able to recharge from the hectic pace and chaos of everyday life. Many of my physical aches and pains disappeared, and I was calmer and more content.
Knowing I needed yoga in my life full time and permanently, I felt called to become a teacher, and I earned my 200-hour teaching certification at the Infinite Light Yoga (ILY) School in 2009. After graduating, I taught classes for ILY until 2013. While there, I enjoyed planning and leading many workshops, helped to mentor new teachers and facilitated practice teaching sessions in the ILY Teacher Training Program. When ILY moved to Jamesville in April 2013, I stayed in my community on the west side of Syracuse and created Mandala Moon Yoga. In 2016, I earned my 500-hour certification at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.
For almost a decade, I was an Adjunct Professor of Yoga in the Physical Education and Health Department at Onondaga Community College. I have a BA in Psychology, and my teachings are often laced with psychological and philosophical themes. The teachings of yoga are vast, and I attend many trainings and retreats to continuously learn more. I was the Teacher and Workshop Coordinator at the Finger Lakes Yoga Festival for three years, and I led workshops at the Festival and its sister events throughout the Central New York region.
Through my classes, I hope to convey that the practice of yoga is available and accessible for every person and every body. In addition to countless health benefits, it is a wonderful gateway to self-discovery, inner peace and joy, as well as creativity and productivity. The practice of yoga enhances all other areas of life, and I am excited to share my knowledge and love of the practice.
Complementary Practices:
When I discovered hula hooping at a yoga retreat in 2010, I wasted no time and trained as a Hoopnotica instructor. I am certified in both Hoopnotica Flow and Hoopnotica Fit. Hooping is a great workout and also incredibly fun! Come try one of my hooping classes! You’ll smile and laugh through the whole class, but you’ll burn 400-600 calories in the process! I find hooping a wonderful complement to my yoga practice.
Because walking is my favorite form of cardio exercise, I incorporated in-studio walking fitness with yoga for our unique Heart & Soul™ classes. It's a 3-for-1 offering. You get cardio, strength training, and yoga all in one class!
During the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, I had to close the studio for several months. During that time, I took a lot of online trainings, including iRest® Level 2 and the Groove Method® (Dance Fitness) Facilitator training.
I took my first yoga class over 25 years ago, but I started practicing on a regular basis in 2007. That’s when I realized that I was connecting with myself on the mat. I felt completely peaceful, and I was able to recharge from the hectic pace and chaos of everyday life. Many of my physical aches and pains disappeared, and I was calmer and more content.
Knowing I needed yoga in my life full time and permanently, I felt called to become a teacher, and I earned my 200-hour teaching certification at the Infinite Light Yoga (ILY) School in 2009. After graduating, I taught classes for ILY until 2013. While there, I enjoyed planning and leading many workshops, helped to mentor new teachers and facilitated practice teaching sessions in the ILY Teacher Training Program. When ILY moved to Jamesville in April 2013, I stayed in my community on the west side of Syracuse and created Mandala Moon Yoga. In 2016, I earned my 500-hour certification at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.
For almost a decade, I was an Adjunct Professor of Yoga in the Physical Education and Health Department at Onondaga Community College. I have a BA in Psychology, and my teachings are often laced with psychological and philosophical themes. The teachings of yoga are vast, and I attend many trainings and retreats to continuously learn more. I was the Teacher and Workshop Coordinator at the Finger Lakes Yoga Festival for three years, and I led workshops at the Festival and its sister events throughout the Central New York region.
Through my classes, I hope to convey that the practice of yoga is available and accessible for every person and every body. In addition to countless health benefits, it is a wonderful gateway to self-discovery, inner peace and joy, as well as creativity and productivity. The practice of yoga enhances all other areas of life, and I am excited to share my knowledge and love of the practice.
Complementary Practices:
When I discovered hula hooping at a yoga retreat in 2010, I wasted no time and trained as a Hoopnotica instructor. I am certified in both Hoopnotica Flow and Hoopnotica Fit. Hooping is a great workout and also incredibly fun! Come try one of my hooping classes! You’ll smile and laugh through the whole class, but you’ll burn 400-600 calories in the process! I find hooping a wonderful complement to my yoga practice.
Because walking is my favorite form of cardio exercise, I incorporated in-studio walking fitness with yoga for our unique Heart & Soul™ classes. It's a 3-for-1 offering. You get cardio, strength training, and yoga all in one class!
During the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, I had to close the studio for several months. During that time, I took a lot of online trainings, including iRest® Level 2 and the Groove Method® (Dance Fitness) Facilitator training.
