Dani Perry | Power Yoga & Mindful Movement Tips | Jackson, WY

In our Women in Wellness series, we spotlight inspiring women who are making waves in the wellness community. Today, we're excited to introduce you to Dani Perry, a yoga and fitness teacher based in Jackson, Wyoming, whose approach to power yoga goes far beyond the physical practice. Dani also hosts yoga retreats in Costa Rica, yoga teacher trainings at her studio in Jackson, and co-founded an app called Day Hike to help hikers find connection on their adventures.

Meeting Dani Perry

With over a decade of teaching experience, Dani brings her passion for mindful movement to every class she leads. As a certified yoga instructor specializing in power yoga, sculpt, barre, and weight training, Dani has cultivated a teaching style that emphasizes the connection between physical movement and self-discovery.

"Power yoga brings out the power of self," Dani explains. "It's a way to tap into movement as meditation and bring students out of their heads and deeply into their bodies."

Beyond the Poses: The True Power of Power Yoga

While power yoga has roots in ashtanga and vinyasa traditions, Dani's approach focuses on its transformative potential. Contrary to the misconception that power yoga is just "fitness, push-ups, and sweating," Dani sees it as an opportunity for profound self-connection.

"When you take these classes, you give yourself an hour to move internally and communicate with yourself on a real and honest level," she shares. "No one can have this experience but you. You find massive acceptance for all that you are—the great, the weird, the strong, the powerful—and realize that you can do hard things."

Practical Tips for Mindful Movement

Dani believes that how we move reflects how we process and treat our surroundings. Here are her practical tips for incorporating mindfulness into movement:

1. Practice Dharma Walking: A technique shared by Dani's father, dharma walking involves walking as quietly as possible—not slowly, but with intention. Place your feet purposefully, breathe at a steady pace, and you'll reach your destination without feeling tired or overworked.
2. Move with Intention: Whether in yoga or daily activities, approaching movement with purpose creates space for honest self-conversation. "We practice and move to unveil the greatest parts of ourselves," Dani explains.
3. Embrace the Challenge: Dani believes we learn most through conversations with ourselves when things get tough. Rather than avoiding difficulty, use challenging moments in your practice as opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

Try This at Home: A Simple Practice to Start

Ready to experience the power of mindful movement? Dani recommends starting with a couple rounds of Sun Salutation A:

1. Begin in Mountain Pose
2. Forward Fold
3. Move into Chaturanga
4. Transition to Downward Dog
5. After completing the sequence, be still for a minute—sit with what you feel, then let it go
   

Finding Connection Through Movement

Dani's personal journey with yoga began during a challenging time in her life. "The more I practiced, the more I found a sense of acceptance—embracing who I am rather than trying to escape it," she reflects. "I realized that I am not my emotions; there is something deeper within me that connects me to myself and the world around me."

This realization shapes her teaching philosophy and resonates with her students. "We all face difficulties, but through yoga, we can acknowledge them, move through them, and find a greater sense of connection."

What might surprise you about Dani's practice? Despite being an experienced instructor, she admits, "I cannot do a lot of advanced yoga poses. I cannot handstand or get into the splits, and I may never be able to! But that's not my goal—my goal is to understand myself more and more."

The Power of Community

Beyond her yoga practice, Dani is passionate about building community through movement. As co-founder of Day Hike, an outdoor community app, she creates opportunities for people to gather, connect, and engage in activities together.

"I believe some of the strongest relationships are born out of shared experiences," she says. "Day Hike helps deepen connections and provides a space for people to meet friends in their community and do fun activities together."

Connect with Dani

Ready to experience Dani's approach to power yoga and mindful movement?

• Instagram: @dani_perry_
• Email: daniperry32@gmail.com
• App: Day Hike (Jackson, WY)
• Yoga Teacher Trainings: Inversion Yoga Trainings (Jackson, WY)

Dani also leads yoga retreats in Costa Rica and Yoga Teacher Training programs at Inversion Yoga. For her, wellness is "best enjoyed with friends or people around you—with support, kindness, and the love for working hard!"

This post is part of PeachyYogi's Women in Wellness directory, where we spotlight inspiring women in the wellness community. Stay tuned for more features highlighting women who are making a difference through their unique approaches to health and wellbeing.