Our Mission

Our mission is to provide a safe and welcoming environment whereby a student can: learn about the true essence of yoga through exploration, discovery, acceptance and understanding, in order to… progress in a calm, mindful and safe yoga practice to… become a strong, knowledgeable and discerning yogi or yogini. This beautiful evolution would lead this yogi or yogini to take their yoga off the mat into their everyday lives in order to…make the world a better place!

Our Philosophy

DY encourages a balanced approach to yoga, embracing a blend of styles and methods. Our instructors work with students at every level of experience, providing modifications for asanas (poses) as needed, helping them learn to listen to and trust the wisdom of their own bodies, and encouraging home practice to deepen the health and wellness benefits of yoga. All of our teachers are yoga alliance certified and are always evolving through continuing education and workshops to help keep their teaching fresh and inspiring.Classes often begin with setting an intention, relaxation and pranayama (breathwork), followed by a flowing series of asanas (poses) that range from gentle movements to a challenging physical workout. Conscious breathing, which creates a steady, energized presence, is coordinated with the various practices. Classes end with time for rest and integration.

The Importance of Safety

At Decatur Yoga, safety is paramount. We meet you where you are on your yoga path, offering modifications and encouraging you to honor and accept where you are. We never push, but simply guide, educate and encourage you to find your best self on and off the mat.People with diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension (elevated blood pressure), or inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis should be careful in the hot classes and monitor their symptoms in response to the heat. We invite you to sit down and take breaks as often as you need to in our hot classes in order to progressively acclimate to this new environment. If you are brand new to yoga, please introduce yourself to our teachers so they are aware.

Our Founder’s Story

“Many paths to the same mountain”

An Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, Debra holds certifications in several yoga styles including Bikram, Vinyasa Flow, Yin, and Prenatal, and has taken Essential Pilates Mat Training through Stott Pilates. Currently pursuing a 500 hour yoga certification in Yoga Therapy through the Center For Integrative Yoga Studies, she consistently attends national yoga conferences and workshops to embrace the role of being a student with a “beginners mind”. The ancient healing art of Ayurveda and the gentle power of meditation are disciplines that inspire her to seek out the deeper traditions of yoga.

Debra especially enjoys the opportunity to share the fundamentals of yoga with new students and receives great reward in witnessing their progress over time. She is a stickler for safety since she has personally experienced a serious and unnecessary injury at the hands of an over-zealous and unknowledgeable teacher. As a result, safety has become the cornerstone of the entire studio.

Her teaching style emphasizes proper alignment, mindful breath and the importance of a foundation in stability, while always encouraging an attitude of acceptance and an awareness of mind-body intelligence. Her role as owner is to offer as many slices of the “yoga pie” as possible, taught in the safest way possible, so that DY students may be exposed to the many ways that yoga can be expressed. Her mantra is “There are many paths to the same mountain, be safe and enjoy the view!” The variety of yoga styles offered at DY, reflect her interest in and appreciation of an eclectic, balanced and evolving yoga practice.

We look forward to meeting you.
Welcome to the journey.
Namaste

Meet Our Management Team

There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes at Decatur Yoga. Along with the owner Debra, Anya, Ava and Cindi help make it all run smoothly.