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About Emily
Hello & Welcome
I'm Emily Dianda, a seasoned yoga educator with over two decades of experience guiding individuals toward holistic well-being. My approach is rooted in compassion, precision, and a deep understanding of the transformative power of personalized yoga practices.
Yoga, to me, is more than physical movement; it's a pathway to reconnecting with oneself, fostering resilience, and cultivating balance in all aspects of life. Whether you're navigating life transitions, seeking stress relief, or aiming to enhance your physical health, I offer tailored sessions that meet you where you are and support your unique journey.
Through private instruction, corporate wellness programs, and specialized classes, including prenatal, chair yoga, and adaptive sessions for the visually impaired, I strive to make yoga accessible and meaningful for everyone.
Let's work together to create a practice that empowers you to feel strong, centered, and at ease in your body and mind.
My Yoga Journey
I began practicing yoga as a way to nurture myself through a difficult life transition. At the time, I was struggling with detrimental habits that no longer served me, and I longed for steadiness and a way to quiet the mental and emotional noise that had taken hold. In those early practices, yoga offered more than physical relief; it became a framework for healing, self-inquiry, and integration. What started as a deeply personal refuge soon evolved into a lifelong path of study, practice, and service.
I earned my 200-hour certification in 2001 at The Mindful Body in San Francisco and have since completed advanced training, now holding a 500-hour credential through Yoga Alliance’s Experienced Teacher Pathway. My continuing education includes prenatal yoga, trauma-informed yoga, and in-depth studies in the Iyengar and Ashtanga traditions, alongside studies in Sanskrit and applied anatomy. These experiences have deepened my focus on alignment, functional movement, and nervous system support. As a Yoga Alliance
Continuing Education Provider (YACEP®), I bring a thoughtful, adaptive lens to each session, meeting students where they are with effective and compassionate practices. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of studying with respected teachers across multiple traditions, yet my greatest teachers remain the students themselves.
In 2012, I founded Shakti Body Yoga, a boutique studio devoted to connection, learning, and community care. Over six years, we grew to offer 50+ weekly classes, monthly workshops, and seasonal gatherings serving a community of more than 500 members and creating a space where both students and teachers could thrive.
Before the pandemic, I transitioned away from studio ownership into a more focused private practice. This shift deepened my work with individual clients and allowed me to design highly personalized sessions that address a wide range of goals spanning injury recovery and mobility, emotional resilience, and long-term well-being. Whether working in person, online, or within corporate wellness settings, my approach is rooted in presence, intentionality, and a deep respect for each student’s lived experience.
In parallel with my professional work, I’ve remained dedicated to widening access to yoga and mindfulness. I’ve taught in women’s recovery programs and organized events like Yoga Above the Beach for at-risk youth initiatives that reflect my belief that healing practices should be available to all, not just the few.
Today, I continue to offer yoga as a practice of reconnection, supporting students in returning to their bodies, breath, and inner resources with clarity, care, and trust. Whether through movement, breathwork, or stillness, my intention is to hold space for transformation, both on and far beyond the mat.
Beyond the Mat
When I’m not teaching, I’m spending time with my two dogs, tending to my garden, or heading out on local hikes, simple ways to reconnect with the rhythms of nature. Cooking with seasonal ingredients and preparing nourishing meals are some of my favorite ways to support well-being from the inside out.
I also enjoy creating home remedies for skin and hair, and brewing herbal teas that soothe, restore, or invite a moment of calm. These small, intentional rituals reflect my belief that healing often begins in the quiet, everyday choices we make to care for ourselves.
As my twin daughters step into their college years, I find myself entering a new chapter, one that opens more space for study, creativity, and growth in my work as a wellness practitioner. Lifelong learning continues to shape how I live and how I teach, always evolving, always rooted in curiosity and care.
For me, yoga doesn’t end when we step off the mat. It lives in how we eat, walk, rest, and listen; in how we create space for what truly nourishes us.
Let's Connect!
I invite you to contact me with any questions or thoughts. I’m here to wholeheartedly support your wellness journey. Together, we can create a practice that empowers you to feel stronger, calmer, and more connected in every aspect of your life.