Your Power is in Being Peaceful.
Spiritual Essence Yoga & Wellness (SEY) was established in 2003 in the heart of Upper Marlboro, Maryland. At the time, there were no yoga classes in the area and founder Dana A. Smith wanted a way to share the transformational practice of yoga. Classes began very small but soon began to increase through word of mouth.
In 2010, Jiivana (L.I.F.E.) Yoga® was created and developed by Dana. This unique approach to yoga embraces the practice as a tool for healthy, happy life balance. Jiivana is the Sanskrit word for life and our acronym L.I.F.E is based on our philosophy to Live Inspired Fearless and Empowered. Through this practice, our amazing students learn how to flow with life’s fluctuations and understand obstacles as opportunities for growth- both on and off the mat.
Our goal is to make each class as inclusive and accessible to all as possible. To do this, we offer a range of options from Beginner’s Yoga to Essence Strength and Support. We also offer wellness services for those seeking deeper healing. Whether you need a yoga class, an energy balance, or the support of a loving community, you can find what you need at SEY!
The practice of yoga isn’t just for people with a certain body type or level of fitness.
Maybe you’ve been wanting to sign up for a yoga class but every time you finally get close to taking that leap you think, “I don’t want to walk in that studio because I’m not _____ and I can’t ______ (fill in the blanks).”
At Spiritual Essence Yoga, we see your greatness before you even do a pose and want to help you grow, transform and feel inspired on and off the mat.
Our Mission
At Spiritual Essence Yoga & Wellness, our mission is to create a nurturing environment that fosters radical healing while equipping individuals with simple and accessible practices for achieving a harmonious and fulfilling life balance.
Our Core Values
Our core values are an acronym for the word HEALING - Health, Empowerment, Accountability, Leadership, Inspiration, Nurturing and Growth.
Our Manifesto
At Spiritual Essence Yoga & Wellness, we believe in:
Healing for All: We believe that everyone deserves access to healing and well-being. Regardless of your background or journey, we are committed to providing inclusive and nurturing spaces that support your personal healing and growth.
Embracing All Bodies: We celebrate the diversity of human bodies and affirm that all bodies are yoga bodies. We reject the notion of a "perfect" body and honor the unique expressions and capabilities of each individual.
Creating Safe Spaces: We believe in the power of safe spaces where vulnerability is embraced. We strive to cultivate an environment where individuals can authentically express themselves without judgment or fear, allowing for deep personal exploration and transformation.
Challenging the Culture of Busyness: In a society that glorifies constant busyness, we recognize the detrimental impact on our well-being. We advocate for balance, self-care, and prioritizing our physical, mental, and spiritual health over relentless productivity.
Embracing Happiness: We firmly believe that happiness is our birthright. Through our practices and wellness offerings, we encourage the cultivation of joy, contentment, and inner peace as essential aspects of a fulfilling life.
Empowering Personal Freedom: We affirm that everyone deserves to live life on their own terms. We encourage self-expression, authenticity, and the exploration of individual passions and desires. You have the right and power to shape your own journey.
Recognizing Our Inherent Worth: We honor the inherent worth of every individual. Regardless of past experiences, societal judgments, or perceived limitations, we believe that everyone is deserving of love, respect, and acceptance.
Embracing Diversity: We acknowledge that there are many paths and perspectives, and we embrace the diversity of spiritual practices and beliefs. We honor the unique journeys of each individual and recognize that truth manifests in various ways.
Love as our Guiding Principle: Love is at the core of our philosophy. We approach all interactions, teachings, and practices with love, compassion, and kindness. Love unites us, transcending boundaries and fostering deep connections.
Embracing the Power of Connection: We celebrate the beauty of human connection and value the relationships we build. We believe in the interconnectedness of all beings and strive to create a community that fosters love, support, and acceptance.
Our Offerings
At Spiritual Essence Yoga & Wellness, we stand by these beliefs and commit ourselves to creating a space where healing, empowerment, and love thrive. Together, let us embark on a journey of self-discovery, connection, and transformation.
Our Jiivana (L.I.F.E.) Yoga® classes and Yoga Teacher Training Programs are designed to teach you the true meaning of yoga which works to realign your body, mind and spirit in preparation for transformation. Our meditation classes and wellness services provide a way to reduce stress and reconnect mentally, physically and spiritually.
Jiivana (L.I.F.E.) Yoga® embraces yoga as a lifestyle, and tool for transformation. Students and trainees are taught our four L.I.F.E. principles and ways to maintain healthy balance and flow with life’s fluctuations.
Our approach to asana practice is rooted in the Vinyasa yoga tradition and inspired by Iyengar, Ashtanga and Traditional Hatha yoga.
Jiivana is the Sanskrit word for life and the philosophy is comprised of four principles: Live Free, Seek Inspiration, Cultivate Fearlessness and Be Empowered.
We come together, in-studio and virtually, as a collective. Together, we work on seeing the beauty in the world by acknowledging and seeing the beauty in our own lives.
Where SEY Comes Together
What does it look like if you were to walk or log in for a class with one of our teachers?
Spiritual Essence Yoga (SEY) is home for our community. It is common to see groups of yogis hanging around the studio, enjoying tea and contributing to the peaceful aura.
We are located at 5080 Brown Station Road, Suite 255. Here you enjoy classes, workshops, trainings, special events and wellness services. It is also the home of SEY Soul Shop, where you can find crystals, incense, aromatherapy and other products for mind, body, spirit balance.
Our Promise to You
Yoga and meditation require personal, internal and intentional growth, which means your results are completely in your hands. However, we can promise you one thing.
We will be there every step of the way to lend you the mind, body and spirit communal support you need. Your health is our first priority, and we will do what we can to make sure you’re in a much better place than you were when you first started.
We’d love to leave you with the Spiritual Essence Yoga Closing Dedication. The SEY dedication was created by its founder, Dana, early on in her yoga journey. She needed a powerful affirmation to help her overcome resistance and stay with the practice. Now, the closing dedication is done at the end of each class and continues to serve as a reminder to carry the lessons we learn on the mat into our daily lives.
“As I journey out today,
I will be sure to enjoy every step of the way.
I will walk softly and sweetly with myself, and
Find every reason in the world to love myself, because...
I AM LOVED”
Start Your Journey with Spiritual Essence Yoga Today!
Dana A. Smith, E-RYT 500, CLC
Dana A. Smith, ERYT-500, is the founder and owner of Spiritual Essence Yoga and the creative visionary behind the international YES! Yoga Has Curves movement. She is a wife, mother, certified yoga instructor, author, yoga teacher trainer, master life coach and holistic health practitioner. Since 2003, she has been a pioneer for inclusive yoga in the West with a simple, yet profound, message: “Yoga is for EVERYbody!”.
As the creator of Jiivana (L.I.F.E.) Yoga®, a National Yoga Alliance approved and registered yoga style, Dana guides students and teachers-in-training in a dynamic experience of yoga as a powerful tool for total life transformation. Even though she has trained over 500 yoga teachers since 2008, she considers herself a lifelong student and continues to seek inspiration through workshops and advanced studies.
Her style of teaching draws on Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Vinyasa roots with the aim to usher practitioners to live inspired, fearless and empowered every day—on and off the mat. Her work has been featured on NBC4, FOX5, The Washington Post, The Examiner, Essence Magazine, WHUR, NPR, and Black Enterprise.
Dana teaches and facilitates yoga retreats throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean. She is an active member of the Black Yoga Teacher’s Alliance (BYTA).
“To me, Dana is like a big sister, someone you turn to for advice and guidance.”
“She is someone you can laugh with and cry with, someone that you know truly cares and will tell you the whole truth and nothing but the truth. From trainings and different yoga classes with Dana, I’ve learned she’s that teacher that makes a lasting impression on you. She constantly shares knowledge, so you want to be like a sponge and soak it all up. She constantly challenges you to step into your light and into your power. She reminds you to allow yourself to flow; as humans we often seek the logical, but experience is one of life’s best teachers and what is meant to be will be.” ~ D. Midgette
As Seen, Heard and Celebrated:
As Seen, Heard and Celebrated:
To you, the beautiful soul reading this right now,
Raised amidst the wonderfully intense energy of New York, I know firsthand the effect of living in a high-stress environment. Even when I transitioned to life in Maryland, I clung to a mantra from my early life - "as a black woman, I must work ten times harder to match the majority's mediocrity."
After my big chop (if you know, you know), I had a profound realization. I saw how I had let stress rule my life, focusing too much on how the world perceived me rather than celebrating my true self.
Maybe you've found your way here because you've had a similar experience, or maybe you're on the verge of one. Reflecting on moments you've felt unwell, overspent, overindulged, or hidden your true self just to keep up, to feel a glimmer of joy, to feel truly alive.
My journey to sharing the tools that brought me healing began with reaching out to other black women and women of color. I understood the deep-seated stress stemming from feelings of unworthiness, prejudice, and imbalance, and felt called to serve. As I gained the confidence and courage to extend my reach beyond my immediate community, I found myself drawing in a diverse group of beautiful souls seeking peace, balance, and inner harmony.
My mission is to guide you towards a deep sense of peace and self-realization without needing to compromise your well-being. Yes, our world has challenges - racism, misogyny, spiritual and religious intolerance, political polarization, and personal struggles. But the essential question is: Can you find happiness amidst it all?
Yes, you absolutely can.
True power is not about being more or being less. It's about finding peace. Tools like yoga and meditation, drawn from time-honored practices, can help us discover this inner tranquility. They are not confined by religion, background, or political beliefs, but are accessible to anyone seeking to bring peace and meaning into their lives.
Your power is in how you view yourself, others, and the world. It's in your ability to create space between thought and action. Yoga has been such a positive impact on my life that I was inspired to create Jiivana (L.I.F.E.) Yoga®. This approach, inspired by various historic lineages, encourages you to live inspired, fearless, and empowered. It teaches us to sit with our breath, our inspiration, our minds — connecting to the peace, calm, and fulfillment we seek.
So, I warmly invite you to join us on the mat, be it in-person or virtually. Join our community where we honor every part of your journey towards peace. No matter where you are in your life right now, remember that yoga and healing are for EVERY body at SEY.
Let's embark on this path together.
With love and gratitude,
