About Shanna

Shanna Small is a dedicated guide on the spiritual path of yoga, committed to making its ancient wisdom accessible to all. With over two decades of study and practice, she approaches yoga not as mere physical movement, but as a profound journey of self-discovery, healing, and liberation. Her teachings are deeply rooted in tradition, drawing from the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Devi Mahatmyam, and the sacred chants that have carried this wisdom through generations.  

Beginning her journey in Ashtanga Yoga, Shanna immersed herself in the discipline of asana, breath, and philosophy, training in the Jois lineage of Mysore, India. She later expanded her knowledge through Vinyasa yoga, earning her 200-hour accreditation under Dolly Stavros, and eventually attaining 500ERYT and YACEP status. As a teacher and director of Ashtanga and Vinyasa programs in North Carolina, she guided students in the physical practice—but life had more to reveal.  

Two pivotal events—a serious spinal injury and the murder of George Floyd—deepened her understanding of yoga as a tool for both personal and collective healing. She turned her focus to Accessible Yoga, studying with Dianne Bondy and Amber Karnes, and Trauma-Conscious Yoga under Nityda Gessell. Recognizing the need for yoga spaces that honor the lived experiences of all people, she developed teacher training programs and social justice initiatives to bridge the gap between tradition and modern accessibility.  

Her journey led her deeper into the spiritual roots of yoga, where she studied Vedic teachings with Kaya Mindlin and Shantala Sriramiah. This wisdom now forms the heart of her current offering, Householder’s Guide to Yoga, a program designed to help modern seekers integrate the depths of yogic tradition into daily life. Through Householder’s Guide to Yoga, she empowers students to move beyond surface-level practice, offering a roadmap for those who seek to embody yoga as a living, breathing path of transformation.  

Today, Shanna shares this sacred knowledge through her teaching, weaving together philosophy, accessibility, and self-inquiry. She believes that yoga is a birthright, a path of remembrance, and a practice that extends far beyond the mat. She invites students into a space where tradition meets transformation—where yoga is not just something we do, but something we become.