About Rana

Rana Waxman yoga

welcome!

About Rana

Hi! Thank you for stopping by. Everyone asks me how I started Yoga and what style I teach.  Yoga was one of the best surprises of my life.  Although I do not recollect a time when I was anything but interested in mysticism, meditation, and movement, Yoga found me over 20 years ago and I started teaching soon after.  I was just awed by such improvements in every aspect of my life (that is why it is a mind-body-spirit discipline).

I did begin studying under a mentor, alongside with many other trainings and well-respected Teachers (from India, USA, Canada).   I know this is what gave me the love of teaching private one-one yoga classes, and using yoga therapeutically. I am currently teaching Yapana® Yoga which translates as “life supported yoga” and is both dynamic and therapeutic. I am leading workshops and teacher trainings internationally at the E-RYT500 level, also a registered Yoga Therapist with IAYT.

I am sometimes called the ‘modern yogini’.  I love making sense of the ancient wisdom of Yoga and finding ways to empower people in their lives, not just inspire them on their yoga mat.  I have had the amazing good fortune of hosting and creating my own bilingual Yoga TV Show, called “Yoga Chez Vous” which aired on VOX.

I am an avid reader and writer, the combination of which has filtered into my blog and some freelance contributions to other sources.  I am happy to keep active, and it has actually helped me structure yoga programs for sport-specific training, among other modern day issues which can be benefited through yoga. So yes, from the triathlete to the weekend warrior, the executive, the busy parent or person, or the student who wishes to deepen their practice or heal and/or prevent injury. Teaching to the student is my specialty.

I really feel anyone can do/be Yoga.  Yoga is like a friend who comes to meet you at the door with a big smile and a hug no matter what time of day or night. Happiness is with(in) reach!

My extensive background in massage therapy, jin shin acupressure, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, reflexology, chinese medicine, swedish kinetic massage, shiatsu, energy balancing, reiki and other techniques led me to create the Progressive Release Method, a balance of pain relief and relaxation. The fascination with healing the body is matched by a pretty comprehensive list of styles of Yoga, which I am happy to share with you in a blended technique called Yapana® Stretch One on One.  By now, my yoga style is versatile!  and has earned me the nickname, the  “muscle whisperer”.  I teach to the student(s) in front of me – from athletes to people with health concerns, or executives with stiff shoulders, parents or students on overload, whatever age or stage –  I love a balanced practice and put safety and postural alignment first. Along with breathing.  There is no Yoga without it! For those of you who want the names of my teachers, some of them are: Dr. Madan Bali, Eric Schiffman, Donna Farhi, Judith Lasater, White Lotus, Mark Darby, Doug Keller, Bobby Clennell, Hart Lazer, Monica Voss, TKV Desikachar, Leeann Carey, Jules Mitchell, Chrys Kub.

I have most recently completed a Cd, entitled, YOGA MIND, which is a compilation of relaxation, meditation and visualization.  I hope that no matter what your Yoga background, you will enjoy this and it will bring you a slice of portable peacefulness wherever you go.

I continue to realize the tremendous potential and transformative power of yoga, not only in working in yoga therapeutically teaching private yoga classes  for about 20  years, but also through personal investigation and introspection. I am a student of many wonderful teachers, and a teacher of many wonderful students.  I teach from a place of professional inquiry, study and intuition gleaned from my passion to make sense of modern life in the context of this wonderful system of Yoga.

Hope you will join me!

Namaste and Smiles!

Rana