TEACHER BIO

Donna Marie Furmanek

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his/her dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he/she has imagined, he/she will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau

Donna Marie, M.Ed., is the Director of “To Life,” Everyday Yoga and Wellness (Academy of Creative Movement Yoga Studio). Donna is a Nationally Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher (CIYT), Certified Yoga Therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapy (C-IAYT), and Certified Ayurveda Practitioner (NAMA) Donna teaches all ages, levels and abilities of students—from those just starting out, those who have special needs, to those who are ready to go deeper. In addition, Donna connects Ayurveda, the “Sister Science of Yoga” as an adjunct to teaching about yoga, health and wellness. Donna continues to deepen her study and practice in the Iyengar Tradition, as well as ongoing courses in Ayurveda and Movement.

Concurrently, Donna has been teaching early childhood education for over three decades, and conducting teacher education workshops on using creative movement in the classroom setting, combined with yoga mindfulness (see article published in Young Children). She has earned National Board Certification for accomplished teachers, and has won scholarships and awards for using innovative and creative movement programs with children. Following her heart and passion, she became a Certified Montessori Teacher. Donna’s love of movement led her to pursue Graduate Laban Certified Movement Analyst (GL-CMA) from the Department of Dance and Movement Therapy at Columbia College. '“I am forever grateful for the opportunity to study and share my passions through the art of teaching, and could not have done so without the support and love of my beloved lifelong best friend and husband, Michael”.