Welcome to Down Dog Yoga & Wellness

I’m a wife to my wonderful husband, Jason, mom to two amazing kids, Nash and Nova, and the proud owner of Down Dog Yoga & Wellness. I’m also a lifelong student, a lover of movement, and someone who truly believes that yoga has the power to change lives. I know because it changed mine.

 

My yoga journey began while attending UNC Charlotte, where I signed up for a breath and movement class. Little did I know that one class would lead me down a path that would become such a huge part of my life. In 2010, I walked into my first yoga studio, and I was hooked! After years of practicing, I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2015 with Kim Zegil at Gotta Yoga Charlotte.

 

Since then, I’ve continued learning through certifications in Aerial and Prenatal Yoga, an additional 300 hours of advanced training in mindfulness and meditation with Rolf Gates, and becoming a Reiki Master. More recently, I’ve been exploring Pilates, continuing to feed my curiosity and love for movement.

 

And while I value every training I’ve completed, I can tell you that some of my greatest lessons have come from simply living life.

 

Over the past decade, I’ve grown and changed so much, both personally and as a teacher. I still absolutely LOVE a strong, sweaty, creative Vinyasa flow! But I’ve also learned that yoga isn’t about how hard we push, how deep we stretch, or whether we can nail a particular pose.

 

It’s about learning to listen to ourselves.

 

Whether you’re stepping onto a yoga mat for the very first time or you’ve been practicing for years, I want you to feel comfortable being exactly who you are. No judgment. No ego. No pressure to keep up. And if you happen to walk into a Power class thinking you signed up for Gentle Yoga, don’t worry! We’ll figure it out together. There’s always a way to make the practice yours.

 

One of the things I’ve come to love most about teaching is sharing the deeper wisdom of yoga. You’ll often find me weaving breathwork, meditation, mudras, and a little yoga philosophy into class. I love creating weekly themes and intentions that encourage us to look beyond the physical poses and explore how yoga can help us navigate everyday life.

 

Because let’s face it, life can be beautiful, messy, challenging, and downright overwhelming sometimes. Yoga doesn’t make all of that disappear, but it can give us the tools to move through it with a little more awareness, patience, and grace.

 

Opening Down Dog Yoga & Wellness has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. What I love most isn’t just teaching yoga. It’s the people, the friendships, the laughter, the connections, and the community we’ve created together.

 

My hope is that when you walk through our doors, you feel welcomed, supported, and free to show up exactly as you are. Some days you’ll feel strong and ready to take on the world. Other days, simply showing up and breathing might be enough. And that’s perfectly okay.

 

At the end of the day, my mission is pretty simple: to share yoga, spread a little more joy, love, and kindness, and help people feel better in their bodies, their minds, and their lives.

 

I hope to see you on the mat!

With love and gratitude,

Detra