Why “Embark”?

…Because you have the opportunity to begin again with every breath, every interaction, every day, and every year whether you realize it consciously or not. Here, you have the chance to embark the yoga that is right for you, a holistic yoga path that is unique and personalized, to live the best life possible.

Dawn Shawley,

Owner & Private Yoga Teacher

Dawn Shawley has a formal education background in English & German and works now as a private yoga educator and certified Yoga Therapist, having practiced yoga since 2004. She brings over 15 years of expertise in adaptive yoga to a wide spectrum of clientele, often those who are movement-challenged. Since 2007, she has been customizing yoga practices to client-specific needs, including injury recovery, limited range of motion, chronic pain, pelvic floor dysfunctions, beginners, and those living with cancer. As a Comprehensive Yoga Therapist, she shows clients how self-awareness, various yoga practices and tools, and setting small goals can help them navigate life's changes and stressors with more ease. Her certifications include: 

  • 2007: 200-Hour Certification, Integral Yoga (RYT200)

  • 2019: Pelvic Floor Yoga™ certification from Leslie Howard

  • 2021: 800-Hour Comprehensive Yoga Therapy certification, YogaLife Institute (E-RYT500, C-IAYT)

  • 2023: Yoga4Cancer (Y4C) certification

  • plans for 2025: Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR)

Dawn maintains regular study and personal practice while offering private sessions, group classes, and workshops. She marries an extensive theoretical and experiential background with humor and practicality. Dawn is the area yoga teacher of choice for clients who strive NOT to be the “human gumby” but rather, for those who aim to incorporate yoga movement, yoga concepts and tools as a way to heal, live well, and be at peace in themselves and with the world.

Embark’s Mission & Vision

Mission: To educate and equip each unique person with authentic yoga experiences and practical tools so each becomes self-empowered and intentional in living their best life.

Vision: To create social change, peace, health, and wellness through Yoga's great tradition, one person at a time.