Today we're talking to the inspiring Danielle Acoff, model and yoga instructor, about how she found yoga, why she loves it and the unexpected changes it's brought to her life. Read on to find out what makes her come alive and the one thing she makes time for every day.
Hello! My name is Danielle, and I am an LA-based model and yoga instructor with a passion for movement and self-care. Growing up as a dancer, I always turned to movement as a release, and a way to come back to center—to feel fully in my body. This passion for movement led me to try my first yoga class, 8 years ago...I left on cloud nine and was instantly hooked! And so my yoga journey began.
Yoga ignited what I call “self-study.” I wanted to learn myself, and that meant taking better care of myself. This mindset quickly became a lifestyle. I became much more mindful of what I was eating and how I was spending my time, and I quickly realized how much it all contributed to my overall well-being. I discovered the only way to feel like my very best self was to devote time to the things that make me come alive!
One of the biggest changes that resulted was that I started spending much more time in nature. It is so easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of life that my soul craves sunlight and fresh air! I make it a point to spend at least a little bit of time outdoors every single day. Sometimes this means going for a hike or driving to a hilltop—any place that is quiet and removed from the city. I like to sit with the sun on my face and take a few deep breaths—just doing this can realign me instantly.
I think at some point I just fell in love with the feeling of slowing down, whether with nature or yoga (my two great loves). My mat has become my safe haven, the place where I am able to really ground down and connect to my breath. My brain runs on high, but the minute I’m able to focus on my breath and my movement, the mental chatter slows all the way down and I become fully present in that moment. Not only that, but I also can see and feel myself getting stronger over the years! I never take for granted what a privilege it is to be healthy and alive.