Dana Nellen has a gift for coaching and training athletes. Her love for helping others is apparent. She took the time to get to know me and the elements of my life. I learned so much from our sessions together, and even though I am recovering from surgery, I felt at ease the entire time. She was completely focused on my alignment and technical execution of the exercises. I think that Dana has a lot to offer athletes. She builds confidence and motivates others to be their best and to be happy. I think that Dana is highly knowledgeable in her field, and I would recommend any athlete to train with her.
-- professional dancer
I think the sessions you are doing with my son are working because last night at practice he hit all the balls pitched to him and hit a home run over the center field fence. Additionally, he did his practice on the way to the game today and during the game and he was very light on his feet moving from place to place on the field making all the right defensive moves at second base. He was like a butterfly gliding while mentally sharp. He continued the technique at bat and he hit a double. I could see through the fence he was using his breathing technique.
-- Parent of high school baseball player
I decided to work with you because I really struggled mentally last year and it was suggested that I get a mental coach....You keep me from overthinking and learning to just let things be. And you really help me prioritiza my life.
-- Minor League baseball player
Dana gave me techniques to use to help me be less nervous during my cheer competitions. Her techniques changed how I performed at the competitions. I did really well at all of the competitions that followed my sessions with Dana. The sessions alone were not enough but using what I learned from them was what made the difference. - Cheerleader
Dana provided tremendous help to my daughter whose nerves were effecting her performances at cheerleading competitions. After a few sessions with Dana, my daughter learned how to be more focused, centered and confident during high pressure situations. My daughter used the techniques she learned from Dana and was able to feel much more at ease and confident with herself and therefore put on great performances when necessary. The one thing I found most amazing about Dana was how much she really cared about helping my daughter. She took an interest in my daughter that went way beyond what I expected. I felt Dana cared just as much as my daughter and I did about her performances. Although the initial goal of these sessions was to help my daughter get through a high pressure competition season I believe these techniques will be useful in many aspects of life! Thank you Dana!!!
I am training for a 1/2 marathon and all of your tips are helping me greatly. My legs and knees are holding up marvelously and are feeling so strong. This is very empowering.
-- Amateur marathon runner
I have known and worked with Dana over the past 2 years and her work and expertise in the yoga field is in my opinion second to none. As the owner of PlyoCity, the largest plyometric training company in the country, I am very reluctant to refer business to anyone without first seeing the final results. I have personally seen Dana’s hands on approach help my flexibility and on two occasions help with ongoing pain in my shoulders and upper back. Dana is driven by one thing and that is results.
-- Michael J. Rangel, CEO, Plyocity
I think the session did work for him because he went to the batting cages right after and my husband said he did extremely well. There were a bunch of parents just watching him in awe. When he was told you said he did well, he said he wasn’t even trying hard to hit the ball, but eyewitnesses say he was hitting very hard and far.
-- Parent of high school baseball player
I think that the past three sessions really helped our team because it taught us a lot about each other. It increased our communication to each other. It also taught us a lot about discipline and goals we have for our team. Thank you!
-- College softball player
I read your website and was impressed with your on-site experience in India. I am from India and know the kind of training and discipline required to teach meditation. You have spent many years in India learning these techniques. Another thing I was impressed with you is that you have absolutely no religious agenda. You do explain that Meditation is a mental and physical discipline and is not based on any religious tradition or belief.
-- A. Desai, student of Learning to Meditate workshop created and taught by Dana
After an hour with Dana Nellen, my focus and productivity for the rest of the day simply soared.
-- CEO, EFG Publishing
Dana is a highly skilled professional life coach with a performance background and winner's mind set. Her "just-do-it" approach toward life is already such an inspiration for a fellow coach like myself. Her strengths as a life coach are: Directness, Challenges, and Openness. Dana asks her clients clarifications that helps them face the reality or dig out true feelings. She challenges her clients so that they can stretch and reflect their perspectives and goals. Also, she is a highly spiritual person. In her view, there is no "good", or "bad". She is simply open, no judgement, and attends the clients being. Dana Nellen is an effortlessly talented "coach".
--Yuko Tanaka, CPC
Working with you has helped me to take a step back and observe my actions, reassess my situation, and attitude. Then instead of getting upset and acting irrationally, I can focus on the appropriate and calm way to react. Thank you!
-- College softball player
The session on communication within the team I think really helped us to understand how everyone feels and how everyone reacts to others and situations. It has come in handy since.
-- College softball player
I studied privately with Dana Nellen over a year and a half from 2001-2003. I am an avid tennis player and at the time I had back pain. I had been to acupuncturists, a chiropractor and had a CAT scan and could not get to the bottom of the issue. Dana worked with me twice a week, both on my back and on building balanced flexibility and mental concentration. She is an outstanding coach who can work closely with clients to help them reach their goals. She helped me to alleviate the pain in my back and my tennis game also improved quite a bit from the flexibility training, breathing and focusing techniques. Dana has a wide background, but more importantly, knows how to customize her sessions for clients who may have various health needs or limitations. She has trained with the most prominent yoga instructors in the world. You can trust her to get results!
--Frank Trulaske, CEO, True Fitness Technology Inc.
Since the day you started coaching me, I have changed immensely. You've helped me see myself in a different light and your belief in me has pushed me beyond my deepest fears. Each session with you brings me closer and closer to what I want in my life. I felt lost before, and now I am discovering a whole new me. Things I thought I would never do, I've done. You have motivated me in so many ways, listened to me, valued me as a person, challenged me when needed, and supported me every step of the way. I know now, to stop focusing on what I think I should be doing, and to just follow my heart instead. Thank you for all that you do. You truly are the best!
-- Corporate employee
Dana has given her 100% for me to meet my goals. She is able to reframe the way I approach the modules and schedules, making it possible for me to meet and exceed my target. Dana does a lot of listening before provoking my thoughts with her questions. She empathizes and challenges my status quo, having me raise the bar all the time. She also shares some best practices in coaching and her knowledge about the journey. I am always looking forward to our sessions as it has been very motivating for me.
-- Corporate trainer
Dana is an exceptional coach with a broad range of experience. She has helped me with the basics of starting a business such as doing a business plan and setting fees. However, her spiritual background is what sets Dana apart for me. I was keenly aware of her empathy for my feelings and her support of my desire and struggle to step out of my comfort zone and grow as a person. I attribute my personal and professional success at a particular business meeting to Dana's coaching and preparation the night before. Dana is a person of courage and the highest integrity, as she is not afraid to offer honest feedback for a client's reflection."
-- small business owner
I liked the last session the best. Learning how to discipline yourself and how to turn the energy from one extreme to another.
-- College softball player
I liked the last 2 sessions that we had because I now have a better perspective on how to communicate with not only my team but other people. And I need more self-discipline, so I now know how to keep myself on track and not dose off.
-- College softball player
The session helped me learn how to have self-discipline, and have discipline with my team so we can get the job done at the end of the day.
-- College softball player
Dana has a broad spiritual background which meshed well with my beliefs. She was not afraid to give me honest feedback and encouraged me to shift my perspective to a more positive one. Dana is also extremely supportive and celebrated with me as I began to step out of my comfort zone.
-- Health practitioner
Dana surpassed my expectations. I was looking strictly for a business coach and Dana’s strong spiritual background was an unexpected bonus.
-- Business owner
It was helpful to learn about breathing techniques and relaxation tips.
-- College softball player
One particular strength that I want to model from Dana is her ability to have me “grounded”, present and centered prior to our coaching conversation. I feel that is Dana’s niche and I see opportunities for her to support others especially people in the corporate world, who seldom take time to have the “alone time” to reflect and be in control of their lives. Thus, we are always having stress and other health problem run our lives. This area I feel is important and is missing in most corporate organization.
-- International bank trainer
High performers are generally well organized ...that's my thinking. High performers need a coach like Dana to ground and center them.
-- Corporate trainer
Dana knows very well how to enthuse and motivate me; and provoke my thoughts. She allows me to share all my thoughts about what I am going to do in moving forward, provoking, sharing and reframing me, along the way.
-- Business owner
Dana was very helpful is making me become aware of my true desires as opposed to what I thought people expected of me. She helped me learn how to set myself free of those old programs that no longer work. I would heartily recommend Dana and in the future I will continue to work with her if I feel I’m slipping back into old patterns. - Corporate employee
Dana was extremely helpful and kept me on track when I chose to evade or wander from the situation we were discussing.
-- Corporate employee
Dana always gave me honest feedback and she offered a different perspective that I could relate to.
-- Attorney
Dana provided awareness and questions pertaining to my real needs as opposed to what I thought I needed. She helped me define goals for the near and distant future and not be afraid to put my intention out there.
-- Corporate employee
Thanks for helping me keep my perspective in this crazy time of my life.
-- Business woman
Dana 's a working mother ... a great example of what I look forward to being when my kids are in school. She's also very "well-versed" in yoga and meditative practices, both of which help me to center myself. She is a wonderful reminder to have a daily practice, even if it's just 5 minutes.
-- Mom/ Professional Photographer
I always felt Dana believed in me and was on my side.
-- Business owner
“I've known Dana for years, but we live in different places now, and so I've only worked with her once as a hatha yoga consultant. It was an extraordinary hour. She saw what I needed and came up with a creative way to address my physical issues using simple exercises that I could (and have) continued on my own--with great success. Dana is not only an effective teacher, she is also a delight to be with and a shining example of the benefits a steady yoga practice can bring.”
-- yoga student
“Dana's work is cutting edge in taking athletes to the next level. Athletes are always looking to get an advantage over their competition and for the dedicated athletes, Dana's program gives them that path to the next level”
-- former pro baseball player
“I have known Dana for over 20 years and have observed a consistency in professionalism and integrity. Her enthusiasm is equal to her expertise in her experience as a performance coach/consultant in the sports industry. Dana has an overarching vision to zero in on exactly what is needed to propel her client to success!”
-- coworker
“Dana worked with me to help re-develop strength and flexibility that I had lost. She challenged me to do my best on each exercise, yet she was careful not to push me to injury. What I really liked was her lifetime of knowledge and dedication that allowed her to personalize a program for me--not for the person standing beside me. Also, she never made me feel inadequate and yet inspired me to do my best and try for more. I highly recommend Dana.
-- Executive
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your class today. I almost never take even one class from anyone other than a certified Iyengar teacher. My knee is so fragile that I don't want to ever put it at risk. I felt very comfortable in your class and really respect that you taught a completely "Iyengar" class. I especially appreciated your comment on my Sirsasana and my elbows. I have been having problems lately and couldn't figure out what was wrong. Thanks!
-- Yoga student
I have been coming to Dana’s classes for the past six months and she is a delightful teacher. She is very attentive to her students and always pays attention to their individual needs and abilities. She always exercises great care in teaching Yoga poses, to assure that the proper alignment is safely achieved. Her classes provide a lot of variety and it is obvious that she has many years of experience and training. I have improved physically to a great degree and feel much better now that I practice Yoga on a regular basis.
-- Rita A.
Dana helped me see that being present with my children is a gift to all of us and one that can't be re-captured. My work with her was perfectly timed. And she was the perfect guide. Knowing that Dana had dedicated time in her life to a yoga/meditation practice and exploring enlightenment is very inspiring to me. I'd love to read her autobiography.
-- Mom/Business owner
Dana Nellen has an immense reservoir of knowledge that she is always happy to share with students. She is respectful of physical limitations and is always looking for different solutions to help you with these limitations. It is a pleasure taking class from her.
-- student
I've been studying yoga for almost 10 years and Dana Nellen is the best yoga teacher I've ever had. She is very knowledgeable and gives excellent and intuitive personal attention to each student. I have gained so much understanding from her about the subtle workings of my body and what yoga can really do for me. She is a wise teacher, and a real gem.
-- Sue, FAA
Dana is a very dedicated instructor who has the unusual ability to teach the full range from beginner to experienced yoga students, often in the same class. Her approach is very supportive, making sure that every student in the class is getting the most out of the experience, and surprising themselves with what they are able to achieve.
-- Todd Abrams, CEO, Marketing POV
Dana has a wonderful understanding of yoga and its effects on the body, mind, and spirit. She gives each student in the class personal attention as if it's a one-on-one session. I'm grateful to her for the experience!
-- Yoga student
I have been coming to Dana for the past six months and she is a delightful teacher. She is very attentive to her students and always pays attention to their individual needs and abilities. She always exercises great care in teaching yoga poses, to assure that the proper alignment is safely achieved. Her classes provide a lot of variety and it is obvious that she has many years of experience and training. I have improved physically to a great degree and feel much better now that I practice Yoga on a regular basis.
-- Corporate Executive
I wanted to thank you for all that you shared with us on Sunday. I've been practicing my own eclectic form of meditation for years (quite inconsistently, I might add). Intuitively I've felt that a consistent, deep and strong meditation practice, in conjunction with my yoga practice, would open new worlds. Your workshop was just what I needed and I'm so excited! (I have started). Thank you, too, for your natural and fun manner, and for sharing your own vulnerabilities ..... feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness ... feelings that have plagued me for a lifetime as well. Aaaargh! You are so refreshing! I'm glad you're with us.
-- Kathy R.
I just wanted to share a quick story with you. My mother got diagnoised with cancer two weeks ago. It was a total shock to my family, and it didn't look like she was gonna have a lot of time left. My sister came home from Washington DC to be with the family and i convinced her to sign up for yoga classes with me. We had the most amazing experience. We are both new to yoga. (I had seen the special deal you were running for new students, and decided her and I should take advantage of it. ) Dana Nellen was our instructor for our first class (we went back to her every chance we could until my sister had to go back to DC). I really feel like she helped us in such a strong emotional way which we didn't expect. The experience has helped keep us mentally strong and helped prepare us for the fight against cancer that lay ahead of us. I am so thankful for the blessing the your yoga classes have brought into my life. I feel inspired to make every day a positive one, and hopeful that my mother will get through this! I look forward to coming to many more classes, stacy serrins
