Sonya Enchill is a certified Dharma Mittra Yoga instructor and also has accreditation in Bikram Yoga, Vinyasa Flow certification from YogaWorks, and is a certified Pilates mat work instructor. She also studied Iyengar yoga at the Iyengar Institute in Pune, India and has studied the Ashtanga yoga system. Enchill comes from a dance background, a graduate of the official school of the Alvin Ailey Ame
rican Dance Theater in New York City. She initially began to practice yoga as a tool to advance her physical mastery, although soon Yoga emerged as a powerful healing modality from the rigors of classical dance. Enchill to seek Yoga teaching certification, to help others do the same. Since gaining certification Ms. Enchill has taught yoga in Bangkok Thailand, Tokyo Japan, Pune India, New York, San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles. She currently teaches at her studio in her hometown of Los Angeles, “Dharma Mittra Yoga L.A.”
The physical benefits of yoga have only been outweighed, in Ms. Enchill’s life, by the spiritual peace and contentment she found once studying under her true teacher Guru, Sri Dharma Mittra. A brief discussion of Sri Dharma Mittra follows, however for more information about the living master, follow this link: www.dharmayogacenter.com
Sri Dharma Mittra was born in the late 1930’s and has been studying yoga and teaching yoga for over fifty years. After meeting his Guru Sri Swami Kalaishananda he immersed himself in the study and practice of the classical eight limbs of Yoga, and dedicated himself to nine years of karma Yoga (the yoga of action, selfless service.) After being a celebrated teacher for years at his Guru’s ashram Sri Dharma founded the Yoga Asana Center, currently known as Dharma Mittra Yoga New York Center in 1974. Dharma has been disseminating the ancient knowledge of how to achieve radiant health and spiritual development before styles of yoga became popular. He remains truthful to the original classical practice and guides his students and student teachers to do the same. For this reason, as well as his experience and knowledge he is frequently referred to as the “Teacher’s Teacher” and for his dedication and fortitude “The Rock of Yoga.”
In 1984 Dharma completed the Master Yoga Chart of 908 Postures, as an offering to his Guru, and for all Yoga aspirants. This original masterpiece was meticulously assembled from over 1,350 photographs of posture variations Dharma took of himself with a tripod camera before the computer age! You will find the Master Chart in our lobby at DMYLA and at just about every yoga school worldwide. (See our photo gallery). Dharma is a most beloved master, he is known for his humility, humor, joy and kindness in teaching. Sonya Enchill follows in Dharma’s directive and spirit teaching students to “be receptive” and combines all of her experience into a diverse flow. In August of 2008, Sri Dharma granted Sonya the blessing to use the Dharma Mittra Yoga business title in order to spread the love of Dharma Mittra Yoga on the west coast. Enchill (studio director), there are four staff members at DMYLA: Joan Sargent, Alison Hahm, Asako Inoue, and Johnny Kendall, have also received Dharma Mittra Yoga teaching certification. Dharma’s practice is known as Shiva Namaskar. At DMYLA we currently teach levels 1, 11 and 111, passed down directly from Sri Dharma. (In 2009 we look forward to offering Shiva Namaskar levels IV and V.) The practice is rigorous and meditative all at the same time, a stairway to bliss that reintegrates the continuous flow of prana (cosmic energy, life force) through the spinal column, emanating deep into all areas of the self. Physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually you will be blessed by the practice. The only requirement? Be receptive.
