Hi, my name is Paula DeGiorgis and I am a credentialed Christian yoga instructor ( 500 CYT, YYT).  I love God and I love yoga, and I am blessed to have found a way to make both an important part of my life, sharing the teachings of Jesus and ways to love and care for our body, which the Bible tells us, quite clearly, is God's temple. 

I am a late-comer to yoga, having begun in 2004 after many years of high-stress desk-work had taken a significant toll on my mind and my body, inside and out. I started weekly classes at my local gym, and soon found that my body and I were becoming friends again. The better I felt, the more often I went and the more I wanted to know.

When I mentioned in passing one day that I would like to take a yoga teacher training course my husband’s first reaction was,” but you are Christian, and yoga is not!”. It had never occurred to me since almost all of the yoga I had practiced was “gym yoga”, and mostly related to the physical body and being in a generally “mindful and connected” state: mentally, with very little reference to the important physical/spritual connection.

Spirituality in yoga was a new concept for me, so naturally, I Googled “Christian Yoga”; I was on my way to a life-changing adventure! I trained at Yahweh Yoga in Arizona for my 200 hour teacher training in 2014, and I received my 500 hour training certification from Yohweh Yoga in 2017. I also studied locally under Kathleen Ames, to learn her unique “Gentle Bliss” style of restorative healing for students with limited mobility.

I am also certified in Thai Massage though Spirit Winds School of Thai Massage and currently practice in Nevada City.  Thai Massage is different from western massage because it is traditionally performed without removing the recipients clothing, and is practiced on the floor, using a soft thick mat and pillows for cushioning.  Thai Massage is known also as "assisted yoga", because it allows the recipient to receive many of the same health benefits of yoga without a great deal of physical effort.  Thai massage is relaxing and healing, as the practitioner guides the receiver into various positions using body weight to release tension and increase energy flow.  Thai Massage also incorporates aromatic herbs, which are bound into fabric compresses and steamed.  These hot herb compresses are a wonderful way to massage the recipient and to assist in reducing inflammation in the body. Please contact me if you are interested in experiencing Thai Massage. You can choose either the full body or foot reflexology massage.

I often use essential oils as a part of the meditative experience for those who enjoy aromatherapy, as inspired by the book Healing Oils of the Bible.  I use only pure essential oils from the most reputable sources,

I fell in love with contemplative prayer many years ago, and have since been searching for ways to share this mediative peace and and connection with the Holy Spirit.  I feel blessed to have found yoga as another way to share and encourage Biblical principles and the love of Jesus, as well as helping to to nurture our bodies in ways that bring profound peace and connection to God. 

I am an artist, a painter and iconographer.   You can see some samples of icons of Joan of Arc and Mother Mary & the Prince of Peace here.  I have many more icons which I have not yet put on the blog,  St. Frances, St. Paul, Our Lady of the Dawn & St. Therese are just a few. I also teach watercolor classes for children and adults.  If you are interested in watercolor classes, icons or CGS or want more information about Rejoice Yoga, please feel free to e-mail me at rejoice yoga@yahoo.com.

I am also a trained in teaching Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Levels 1 and 2 ) to young children, ages 3 to 9, which I teach at Emmanuel Church in Grass Valley.  This work is so amazing!  For years adults have told me that they wish they had classes like that when they were young, for this reason I have incorporated many of these fundamental teachings and meditative reflections, with which we often meditate in Rejoice Yoga classes.  For more information see my Thai Massage page…