About Daisha Nilsen
How I got into Yoga & Fitness
As I was always one to participate in sports and activities, I have a love of health and wellness. I began my journey with yoga in 2015, and after my first few classes, I was hooked. I fell in love with the ability to quiet my ever-racing mind and feel the physical changes in my body. As I learned and progressed through my practice, I also began backpacking. While abroad, I was able to use yoga to fuel my confidence and allow myself to slow down and come back into my body.
This led me to travel to the birthplace of yoga, India. I was beyond excited, knowing that going to GOA to become a yoga instructor would be the best adventure of my life. I was registered as a 200-hour RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) in 2017, became a certified personal trainer in 2019, and returned to Rishikesh, India, in 2023 to continue training and am now a 500-hour RYT.
My yoga studies in India
During my time at Himalaya Yoga Valley, I observed and studied the true nature of the practice beyond the physical, with the guidance of Lalit Kumar, who studied under Sri BKS Iyengar, Sri K Pattabhi Jois, and more. We would practice the full Primary Series twice daily, four hours in the sweltering Indian heat. Exhausting, yes, but it was absolutely beautiful to be practicing with men and women from around the world. Our classes would always come after using the first hour of the day to focus on meditation and pranayama (breath work). I learned Patanjali's 8-limbs of yoga, the yamas and niyamas - a guide to living our most meaningful life with purpose and kindness. I still study the sutras, knowing I learn and feel something new every time.
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My goal as a personal trainer
As a personal trainer, I use my knowledge of progression, strength training, and functional movement to support my clients. Leading them to a life free of injury and pain. This translates perfectly to yoga as one should not only strive to have a range of motion but muscle strength as well. I found so much happiness in my career, doing what I love with those I enjoy spending time with. I will always be a yoga student, a student of my own body and of my client's needs. I am reaching toward achieving many goals in life and within myself. I hope to inspire those to create and achieve their goals.
