I was born in 1972 and lived in New Jersey with my mom, dad and two brothers until my early twenties. Movement has always been a very large part of my life. At an early age I started as a competitive figure skater, then studied ballet, jazz, and modern dance for over 20 years. Shortly after graduating college, I went on tour with Jesus Christ Superstar and West Side Story and got the opportunity to travel and perform in all 50 states. It was during the last tour of West Side Story where I met my husband, Saul. We married in 2001 and had our son, Lucas in 2008.
During college I was in a car accident, which resulted in 10 years of constant sciatic and low back pain. Shortly after the accident my college dance professor introduced me to yoga, and if I’m being honest, I didn’t like yoga at all. In the early 90's no one really practiced yoga and I knew very little about it. My only experience was watching the hippie girl in my college dance class meditate and stand in tree pose, which we all thought was strange and bizarre.
After graduating college and touring the country, I was reintroduced to yoga fell completely in love with it. After moving to LA in 98, Angel City Yoga became my place of practice. I can still recall the feeling after leaving my first class in LA. While walking back to my car, I felt this deep sense of peace and happiness and couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Something inside me changed that day and a spark had been re-lit in my soul. After my low back and sciatic pain started to improve, I decided to take my first Teacher Training with the amazing Maty Ezraty and Chuck Miller. After completing my training in 2003 the entire trajectory of life changed. I began teaching full time, completed the first 500hr Professional Program that YogaWorks offered, became certified in the YogaWorks method and started down the teacher training path. After may years of teaching all over the Santa Clarita Valley, I fulfilled a lifelong dream and opened Just Breathe Yoga Center. Wouldn’t you know, one year after the opening of my studio I became pregnant AND YogaWorks announced they were coming to Valencia. As hard as it was I decided it was best to close my studio and join them when the opportunity to be teacher director presented itself to me. I was responsible for hiring, training, and mentoring the teachers for the Valencia location, and eventually became teacher director for the Tarzana location as well…all while taking care of a newborn!
For the last 19 years I’ve been teaching full time, leading workshops, retreats, mentoring teachers and leading 200 and 300 hr teacher trainings. One of my greatest achievements has been writing and developing Yoga Remedy, a 50 hour therapeutic teacher training, which I teach annually. The training offers teachers a greater understanding of how to work with and prevent injuries, how to incorporate the layering technique in their teaching as well as the Mandala Effect, a method of sequencing I’ve developed. I’m so grateful to still be teaching online through the YogaWorks platform along with 19 therapeutic videos on demand.
I Hope to get the chance to practice with you as we continue our yoga journey together and navigate life post COVID.
Creator of Yoga Remedy - 25 Hour Therapeutic Teacher Training and E-Book
C-IAYT International Association of Yoga Therapists
E-RYT 500 Yoga Alliance
Certified Yogaworks Instructor, Senior Teacher Trainer & Mentor
Gentle Somatic Yoga - Level 1 & Level 2
FRC (Functional Range Conditioning) Mobility Specialist
Yoga Tune Up® - Therapy Ball Work
Urban Zen - Restorative Yoga, Essential Oils, Energy Healing
Subtle Body - with Jeanne Heileman
Reiki Master - with Eleonore Koury
Reconnective Energy - with Harriette Knight
Mini Yogis - Kids Certification with Shana Meyerson
Founder of Just Breathe Yoga Center
Lululemon Ambassador, Valencia Town Center 2014-2016
“I have been fortunate to have practiced yoga with Dani Ibarra since she began her yoga journey in the early 2000’s. As her journey continued, so did mine. She has inspired me to be strong, conscious, aware, and self-accepting. When I was unable to practice yoga due to an injury, it was Dani that led me back into my practice, first with gentle and therapeutic classes and then on to flow. I literally would (and have) follow her anywhere. From yoga classes taught at a gym, to studio classes, and even to Bali where she led a life-changing retreat.
I feel honored and blessed that Dani has become such an important part of my life, through yoga and friendship. She is a gifted yogini, and a light to everyone who experiences her wisdom. ”
“I started doing yoga in june 2009 after having a massive
heart attack. I took several different classes and the one
instructor that stood to me was Dani. I was impressed with
how she was so attentive to her students. Dani always has
time to answer any questions a student may have. She is
constantly seeking new knowledge to share with her
students and other teachers.
Over the years I have known her she has done so much
for me. Not just with yoga but life it’s self. I started doing
videos and soundbaths with her, which getting in front of
people was surly not my thing. , but she would just smile
and tell me, you got this..
She is my teacher, my dear friend and proably doesn’t
know it, my guardian angle. Thank you for all you have
done for me and so many other students.. you rock man.
Namaste ”
“It’s been my pleasure and privilege to have practiced yoga with Dani for almost 8 years now. I eagerly look forward to each session with her. As a 98-year-old man, Dani works on postures that are suitable to my strength and focus on flexibility that can be adapted for me being in a wheelchair. Her sessions leave me feeling better and more energized as well as more rejuvenated. Dani is not only an excellent yoga instructor but also a great person. As a former college professor, I have no hesitation in grading her A+.”
“I have been practicing yoga for over 30 years. I find Dani ibarra’s classes the most rewarding. I come out of her classes renewed both in body and soul. Dani’s extensive knowledge of the physical body benefits her students so we all come out of her classes renewed. Dani’s heart centered mantras refresh our souls as well as carrying us thru to our next practice.”
