danielle hicks

Bio

Danielle is grateful to have discovered the practice of yoga fifteen years ago for the numerous benefits it provides. It has given valuable lessons of trusting oneself with grace and stability for every aspect of life. A natural desire to dedicate more of her attention to yoga sprung about after years of experiencing the changes that yoga provided her. In 2015, Danielle earned her 200hr-RYT focusing on Vinyasa Krama, Tantra Yoga, and Ayurveda.

Shortly after this time, Danielle began using social media as an outreach tool to inspire others along their journey of yoga through her creative endeavors such as writing and photography. Through this, Danielle grew more curious about the Ashtanga Yoga practice and finally started attending a nearby shala she could walk to that was nearby for eight years. Showing up for herself in this way was another big step along her yoga path. She felt blessed being able to receive the experience of yoga in this way.

Ashtanga Yoga would continue to be her anchor that year as she and her husband embarked on a year-long cross-country adventure in their 87′ VW van. During that time, Danielle explored and took this opportunity to interface with the Ashtanga community by attending Mysore, various workshops, and teacher trainings.

Early 2019, Danielle circled back to Orlando to complete the 200hr Ashtanga Yoga Apprenticeship Program with Level 2 Authorized teacher Krista Shirley. Other teachers Danielle has had the honor of learning from are; Jennifer Elliot, Harmony Slater, Tim Feldmann, Annie Pace, Tim Miller, and David Garrigues.

Danielle loves teaching and dedicating her time to others online and in-person and offering “whole-healing” programs that including writing workshops, intuitive healing guides, meditation, and mantras to complement the practice of yoga and life alike!

Danielle resides in Orlando, Florida, with her husband and their two sweet pups Brutus & Sadie.

You can catch her on da gram’: @el.feather

Website

elfeatheryoga.com

Get to know danielle

What are your goals as a teacher?
To always be a student. To never stop learning and understanding the self and practice.
Who/what inspired you to teach yoga?
I've had many teachers along the way, but in 2018 I connected with my current teacher, Krista Shirley, and she has had a significant impact on me and my teaching.
What keeps you practicing?
Every day is anew and renewed when I do. There is more space within the day to do the things I want with more wholeness, joy, and present moment awareness. Practicing helps me to become stronger and more decisive.
What advice would you give to someone who is just beginning yoga?
To start where you are, lead the practice with love and never stop exploring!
Tell us something most people don't know about you.
I can be introverted and hyper-aware which is both good and bad depending on how I am feeling. For those familiar with the Myers-Briggs personality types, I am an INFJ. I happily took a 1-year "van-life" trip last year with my husband.
Besides yoga, what do you do to keep a healthy lifestyle?
Ground myself in nature, eat a lot of avocados, and create healthy happy relationships.
Could you talk a little about how you feel about teaching yoga via social media, or your experience as a social media "influencer" in the yoga world?
In 2016 I started posting yoga pictures with quotes/my writings. In the beginning, it was a way I felt more comfortable with sharing yoga at that time. I already had the account for years with only less than 50 posts, so it was a surprise to me to find the yoga world being shared this way. I began participating in "yoga challenges," it was a fun way to win some designer yoga pants as a prize. I found it strange when I first started to receive comments, almost like I didn't believe it was authentic. Over the last nearly three years now I've built incredible relationships with yogis and "followers" on social media. Opportunities that I never thought would happen have through the random seeing of one another's picture. Getting to meet and create with photographers has been growing experiences for me.
Do you have any advice for the "screen time" epidemic we're all facing?
It can be difficult for me to take breaks from posting on social media without feeling any guilt about it, or experiencing the "FOMO" syndrome (Fear Of Missing Out). One piece of advice is to turn off your notifications; it's taken me a few times to learn that. A quote I saw in passing the other day read, "Comparison is the thief joy." - Teddy Roosevelt. I think it's healthy to give it a rest now and then and hopefully will one day be seen as usual. My daydream dare is for us all to not post for one day to see what we all experienced.
What do you love most about Hyde?
The integral lifestyle and supportive community that they embody and spread. Their natural fabrics are my favorite to practice in and support my values.