Meet Danielle Hoguet | Yoga Instructor & Physical Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle Hoguet and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
What makes me happy is having freedom from the idea of perfection. I spent so much of my life pushing myself to do better, to try harder. I started to view everything as “not enough” and developed a harsh inner critic that reminded me of this everyday. Happy wasn’t possible, because I held myself to an impossible standard. I was burnt out in every aspect of my life. When everything comes crashing down, we are sometimes forced to do the very thing we resist. For me it was rest. I caught a glimpse of the power of resting, which developed into a willingness to let go. To let go of the need for perfection and reevaluate what I was really striving for. To give myself permission to be everything but perfect, and to value rest over productivity. I no longer force my way through life to get to where I think I need to be. I do more of what I enjoy and try to stay present in every moment. Free from expectations and free from the fear of failure is where I find happiness.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Over the course of the global pandemic, I really leaned into the concept of rest. I was seeking more restorative and healing styles of yoga and meditation practices, as were many others. Teaching online was challenging for numerous reasons, but it was really starting to strain my eyes. I found myself seeking dark spaces to rest my eyes after too many hours at my computer screen. I made myself a lavender eye pillow to provide comfort and ease my tired eyes. Knowing I wasn’t the only one seeking restoration, I decided to make homemade eye pillows my little side-business. The production process is soothing and methodical for me, and fuels my creative spirit. I love to learn new skills and this project came along quite naturally, to meet my needs, and hopefully the needs of others. I want people to know that it is okay to rest. To slow down. To take time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A weekend in Denver must include a hike in the mountains. My personal favorite place to hike is Arapahoe Pass. Wildflower season is magnificent there. After a long hike, I love to go back to the city for food and drinks. Avanti is always a crowd-pleaser because of the variety of food and the view of the city from the rooftop. For a more low-key setting, I love Bigsby’s Folly Winery. A concert at Red Rocks is always a special experience for visitors, no matter who is playing. If we couldn’t catch a concert, a morning hike on the Red Rocks trails, or workout on the amphitheater steps is must!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My story wouldn’t be complete without recognizing the organization I did my yoga teacher training through. The Yandara Yoga Institute in Baja, Mexico provided a truly transformative experience that went beyond my wildest dreams. I felt drawn to their program more than any other, because it was completely immersive. A few weeks sleeping in a tent on the beach, living amongst yogis and learning the yogi lifestyle. It was more than just didactic work and practicing teaching. I was introduced to the healing powers of truth circles, satsang, and spending a whole day to myself in silence and meditation. My body, mind and spirit were able to recover from years of struggle, and my eyes were opened to a new way of living. I have never felt more nurtured by a group of strangers, who quickly became family.

Website: yogabirdwellness.com
Instagram: @yogabirdwellness
Other: Updated email: danielle@yogabirdwellness.com

Image Credits
Mary-Louise Wang