"We're all just walking each other home."
~ Ram Dass
Sarah Jane Dicken, CYT
I took my first yoga class 12 years ago on a beach in Goa (India) during a very difficult time in my life. After that practice, I had a profound meditative experience while walking along the shore for a couple of hours, and I knew then that I had found something incomparably powerful that would forever change my life.
Upon returning home from India, I searched for a practice that would suit me best, and I found my way into a Bikram Yoga studio. I loved the intensity of the practice, and I continued exclusively with this style of yoga for several years. In the fall of 2011, I travelled to California to complete the nine-week intensive Bikram Yoga Teacher Training program. I fell in love with teaching yoga after my first couple of classes and I was eager to grow and develop as both a teacher and a student, so I travelled between Canada, the US and Australia over the next few years, teaching at a number of studios to a vast range of yogis. However, I began to realize that I was limiting myself as both a yogi and a teacher by not exploring the depths of the practice and instead maintaining such a narrow focus and unwavering loyalty to just one lineage and method. Four years after becoming a yoga instructor, after many changes both personally and professionally, and having taught the same sequence of asanas the entire time, I decided to take a new direction; early in 2016, I founded SARASPONDA YOGA: private yoga in Southern Alberta, with a focus on personalized programs, tailored to the individual. After many hours of research and development - continuing ed modules, independent study, online training and certificate courses - I developed a diverse library of asana sequences and yoga programs, based on the unique needs of my clients. My yoga practice has been transformative and life-saving, and my mission as a teacher is to empower others to develop a practice of their own that enables them to more fully explore the depths of their experience, on and off the mat. In my day-to-day life, I do my best to follow Patanjali's eight-fold path, and my personal approach to yoga instruction tends to focus on mindful movement, deepening awareness, anatomical and energetic alignment, breath integration, and deep relaxation - a healthy combination of asana (the physical practice), pranayama (the breath practice) and dhyana (the meditative practice). As a survivor of domestic abuse and having relied heavily upon yoga in my own healing journey, I have a particular interest in trauma-informed and therapeutic yoga practices. I completed a 20-hr TSY training through the Trauma Center at JRI in 2017 and now offer progressive Yoga for Healing series in non-clinic settings. |
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
My husband and I have been practicing with Sarah for over a year now. She is always so considerate about how we are feeling that day and customizes our practice to what we need, while still making it challenging and pushing us to improve. Sarah is so patient with her instruction and makes sure we are comfortable with our practice.
~Jenae T.
I started my yoga practice with Sarah almost a year ago. I was encouraged to try yoga to help with some health issues. I had tried a couple of group classes and afterwards decided yoga was not for me, then I met Sarah. Private classes with Sarah have given me the opportunity to learn at a pace that I am comfortable with, and with Sarah's encouraging words, calm voice and patience, I now look forward to my weekly session and maintain a home practice. Sarah is a phenomenal person and yoga instructor.
~Angie W.
Sarah is an amazing yoga instructor. I used to get so frustrated in yoga classes because I felt like I wasn't getting the critique that I needed to master the poses. Now I don't have to worry about that. It's just Sarah and you. She is so gentle and patient. She tailors the class to what you and your body needs that day. If you are looking for a private instructor I highly recommend Sarah. You won't be disappointed.
~Christine K.
Sarah is a phenomenal yoga instructor ! My partner and I go to her and she always tailors each session to meet our existing needs that week. She truly has so much yoga knowledge it's absolutely impressive. We feel safe, nurtured, and encouraged through our practice. I would highly recommend doing yoga with Sarah you won't regret it!
~Bri M.
Sarah is, in one word, amazing. Her gentle nature, calming voice, and vast knowledge in her craft is everything I was looking for and needed in a yoga instructor. Going to a standard yoga class, I would have never gotten the adjustments, critique, or one on one mental, spiritual and emotional connection as I do with Sarah. She is unbelievably attentive and genuinely cares about more than just teaching her students yoga poses. She cares about you as an individual and how she can help through her teachings. I highly recommend booking sessions with Sarasponda. You won't be disappointed!
~Ange D.
The personalized approach to Sarah's guidance was the key to the immense progress I've made over the course of my sessions. Drills, flows, and alignment coaching have helped me isolate muscles and develop strength in ways I never have before. Alongside this improvement in ability, I've also experienced an intense increase in motivation for my own (almost) daily practice. Being able to spend just one session a week with Sarah has allowed me to understand what I can work on by myself at home. Since my work with Sarah, I have even set goals for YTT200 that I didn't think I was anywhere close to previously. Taking part in private yoga with Sarah has been the best decision for my practice as a whole. Not to mention she's just an all-around lovely person to chill with during sessions.
~Naomi D.
I have been doing yoga with Sarah for a few months now. I wanted to try yoga to help with my hip and shoulder mobility for weightlifting, hockey, and golf. I can say that I have come further in 3 months with Sarah than I ever have trying to stretch by myself or with others. My training partners even commented about my form and deeper positions in my squat and overhead mobility. This will also come in handy for golf season to get a full range of motion. Besides all these benefits, Sarah also gave me a custom yoga practice to do on my own after the gym when we didn't have a class. Every session was tailored to my needs whether I needed a challenge or specific focus on a body part that was ailing me. I would highly recommend Sarasponda Yoga for anyone. Great space, a great teacher and very, very reasonable prices for private lessons. Thanks, Sarah!
~David B.
I have been taking private lessons from Sarah 2-3 times weekly for the past 6 months and am really happy with the results I have been able to see in only a few short months. When I started I had never tried any form/type of yoga; it was impossible for me to touch my toes while keeping my legs straight and I could only do one set of the 26 postures. Over the past 6 months I have significantly increased my flexibility, muscle tone, leg, and core strength. I now am always able to do 2 sets of the 26 posture series, and I am also enjoying the benefits of a calmer mind, increased awareness, and patience in my day to day life. This is really a great way to get started.
~Cameron L.
~Jenae T.
I started my yoga practice with Sarah almost a year ago. I was encouraged to try yoga to help with some health issues. I had tried a couple of group classes and afterwards decided yoga was not for me, then I met Sarah. Private classes with Sarah have given me the opportunity to learn at a pace that I am comfortable with, and with Sarah's encouraging words, calm voice and patience, I now look forward to my weekly session and maintain a home practice. Sarah is a phenomenal person and yoga instructor.
~Angie W.
Sarah is an amazing yoga instructor. I used to get so frustrated in yoga classes because I felt like I wasn't getting the critique that I needed to master the poses. Now I don't have to worry about that. It's just Sarah and you. She is so gentle and patient. She tailors the class to what you and your body needs that day. If you are looking for a private instructor I highly recommend Sarah. You won't be disappointed.
~Christine K.
Sarah is a phenomenal yoga instructor ! My partner and I go to her and she always tailors each session to meet our existing needs that week. She truly has so much yoga knowledge it's absolutely impressive. We feel safe, nurtured, and encouraged through our practice. I would highly recommend doing yoga with Sarah you won't regret it!
~Bri M.
Sarah is, in one word, amazing. Her gentle nature, calming voice, and vast knowledge in her craft is everything I was looking for and needed in a yoga instructor. Going to a standard yoga class, I would have never gotten the adjustments, critique, or one on one mental, spiritual and emotional connection as I do with Sarah. She is unbelievably attentive and genuinely cares about more than just teaching her students yoga poses. She cares about you as an individual and how she can help through her teachings. I highly recommend booking sessions with Sarasponda. You won't be disappointed!
~Ange D.
The personalized approach to Sarah's guidance was the key to the immense progress I've made over the course of my sessions. Drills, flows, and alignment coaching have helped me isolate muscles and develop strength in ways I never have before. Alongside this improvement in ability, I've also experienced an intense increase in motivation for my own (almost) daily practice. Being able to spend just one session a week with Sarah has allowed me to understand what I can work on by myself at home. Since my work with Sarah, I have even set goals for YTT200 that I didn't think I was anywhere close to previously. Taking part in private yoga with Sarah has been the best decision for my practice as a whole. Not to mention she's just an all-around lovely person to chill with during sessions.
~Naomi D.
I have been doing yoga with Sarah for a few months now. I wanted to try yoga to help with my hip and shoulder mobility for weightlifting, hockey, and golf. I can say that I have come further in 3 months with Sarah than I ever have trying to stretch by myself or with others. My training partners even commented about my form and deeper positions in my squat and overhead mobility. This will also come in handy for golf season to get a full range of motion. Besides all these benefits, Sarah also gave me a custom yoga practice to do on my own after the gym when we didn't have a class. Every session was tailored to my needs whether I needed a challenge or specific focus on a body part that was ailing me. I would highly recommend Sarasponda Yoga for anyone. Great space, a great teacher and very, very reasonable prices for private lessons. Thanks, Sarah!
~David B.
I have been taking private lessons from Sarah 2-3 times weekly for the past 6 months and am really happy with the results I have been able to see in only a few short months. When I started I had never tried any form/type of yoga; it was impossible for me to touch my toes while keeping my legs straight and I could only do one set of the 26 postures. Over the past 6 months I have significantly increased my flexibility, muscle tone, leg, and core strength. I now am always able to do 2 sets of the 26 posture series, and I am also enjoying the benefits of a calmer mind, increased awareness, and patience in my day to day life. This is really a great way to get started.
~Cameron L.