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ABOUT LIVING YOGA MINDFUL DYING
I'm Daniel, your guide in this journey.
DANIEL SHAW
Life’s trials began early for me. I lost my mother just before high school graduation and was soon thrust into the rigorous world of West Point’s “Beast Barracks”. The sudden death of my younger brother five years later left another deep wound. Pushing my grief aside, I focused on surviving.
But, with time, suppressed pain gave way to a spiritual crisis, mental health struggles, and addiction. Yet, it was in these darkest moments that I found my resolve to heal. I turned to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in 2018, a decision that marked the beginning of my healing journey.
The year 2019 was a turning point for me. I finally confronted my long-held grief. I trained as an end-of-life doula at the University of Vermont, while a transformative psilocybin ceremony helped me rediscover my Divinity.
Yoga, Connection and Your Journey
My connection to yoga began at a treatment center in Portland in 2017. Yoga brought me back to my body and heart, providing a sense of grounding I had lost. My journey with yoga deepened in 2020, leading me to complete a 300-hour yoga teacher training program in 2023.
Why do I share my story? Because I want you to know: I’ve walked in your shoes. Be it the loss of a loved one, fear of death, struggles with addiction, or limiting beliefs – I’ve faced them all. But more importantly, I’ve found ways to transcend these challenges.
In our work together, I draw from my personal experiences and professional training. My approach blends flowing vinyasa, grounding hatha yoga, pranayama, and DBT skills. I’ll introduce you to two key principles that have been central to my recovery and self-discovery. First is Karma Yoga, the yoga of action and selfless service, which teaches us to act without attachment to the outcomes of our actions. Second is Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion and love, which guides us to cultivate an open heart and deep devotion towards the divine.
I take inspiration from a passage in Bhagavad Gita (9:26-28), which in essence, tells us to make everything we do a heartfelt offering – be it the food we eat, the sacrifices we make, the help we give, or the sufferings we endure. In doing so, we free ourselves from karma’s bondage, leading to a heart unburdened, ready to explore the depths of yoga and renunciation.
Let's Walk This Path Together
I look forward to accompanying you on this journey towards inner peace, spiritual growth, and conscious living and dying. As an end-of-life doula and experienced yoga instructor, my mission is to support you in processing grief with mindfulness, fostering spiritual growth, and offering enriching yoga experiences.
