Have you ever experienced a moment where you didn’t think you could keep going? I am sure you have a few in mind, and I hear you and see you. Take time to reflect on that. What helped you through, or what is currently helping you through? What helped you not only survive but thrive? What builds your own determination muscle? Your determination to keep going and to stay in an intention that serves you and others around you; to continue to show up and respond as your best and most authentic self in that moment. With this state of intensity and ability to observe the mind, I created YOD Yoga.
Short for Your Own Determination, YOD is a revolutionary yoga and high intensity intentional movement practice, embracing the sacred pause to empower personal transformation through strength, clarity, and love. You move your body intentionally to build and strengthen muscles while staying in the alignment of your bones. With that, it’s equally important to keep the tension-length relationship in the muscles harmonized. You get access to clarity of the mind with movement, breath, and awareness of your thoughts, observing and releasing what no longer serves you mentally, physically, and emotionally. With that clarity, you get access to drop into your heart space and embody more love.
YOD goes beyond traditional formats and combines meditation, optimal alignment, journaling, and high intensity training (HIIT), allowing you to find your edge to empower a sense of awakening and transformation. YOD Mission channels personal thriving by creating a consistent sacred practice, empowering mind, body, and spirit for anyone determined for a conscious, heart center approach to one’s own life and beyond.
A YOD Yoga class is taught by a certified YOD teacher with a 200 hour Yoga Training. Led by the teacher, different options for movements set up each student for success for the day. The 60 minute class starts with intention setting, opening up to four directions, and creating an open sacred space for the highest good of all. The class rolls into a yoga asana warm-up to get your heart rate up and moving in all directions. Awareness of the moment sets a solid foundation.
Next is integration, using three movements done three times. This plugs you into your body and integrates your muscles to set you up for the HIIT portion. Usually 12 minutes, the HIIT portion is designed to be challenging, but also at the pace that works for you. Sometimes slowing down is more intense. It’s really important for the student to discern what works best for them. When in doubt, slow down to speed back up if needed. After the HIIT we share high fives and acknowledgments.
We end with a yoga flow, cool down, and savasana. Here it’s important to allow the body, mind, and spirit to realign to a new heart centered neutral. Surrender to your best self; a pause before rushing off to the busy day. Take a few moments in meditation and pull in all the good energy from class. OM and namaste are part of class to unite all beings everywhere and bring in more togetherness.
I am the creator of YOD. It started with asking why and what is really at the root of pain, and taking action to live a pain-free life. I am a personal trainer, massage therapist, pilates instructor, crossfit coach, and yoga teacher. Being a yoga studio owner and teacher/leader, I saw students with similar issues of pain and difficulty moving. Being committed to a yoga practice only, I noticed I missed all the other methods of movement. Therefore, I created YOD: a class to flow, create foundation, move in alignment, and bring awareness and education to the body, mind, and spirit. In the challenge of movement, you overcome it with success, love, and joy.
YOD was born in a day and now turned eight years old! YOD training has been ongoing with yoga teachers everywhere. With classes in Yoga studios, Crossfit Gyms, Corporate offices, and parks, YOD has over 500 teachers worldwide.
Are you ready to thrive, be more intentional with your movement practice, and become the best version of yourself? Are you ready to be a leader in your life and beyond? Join us in taking and teaching YOD. Come to class or sign up to be a YOD teacher. Apply the YOD principles today.
- Be intentional
- Take Action
- Follow Through
Being a Life Coach, Yoga Teacher, and YOD Program creator, Danielle Jokinen is a student and leader of life. An internationally recognized Yoga Teacher and Spiritual and Personal Life Coach for the last ten years, Jokinen’s purpose is to connect to sources to help others live a spirit driven life. Over the last ten years she supported people to overcome obstacles they didn’t think possible, to heal areas of their life they never wanted to look at, and live out their wildest dreams. Yoga, meditation, and coaching changed her life, and she is committed to sharing the practices with the world.
