Yoga For:

Athletic Performance

Teams Desirae Works with:

University of Texas Athletics including the Women’s Golf, Volleyball, Softball, Basketball and Men’s Baseball and Basketball Teams

Olympic Athletes: Aaron Pearsol // Pro Football: Brian Jones

Optimal Power and optimal performance is sourced from optimal alignment. Are you in awe watching the Olympics and any other sporting event? If so, you are watching the best of the best. What makes these athletes sore- discipline, commitment, and training on every level. Yoga for Athletic Performance is designed specifically for individuals seeking more power. We look at the shadows, the underloads, the overloads, and the misalignments and create a path. This practice includes breathwork and flow-based practice, with photos and videos to show where the body is losing power.

Desirae has worked with professional and college athletes since 2008. Athletes develop patterns in areas of their body where they experience strength and weakness. This practice bridges the gap and creates consistent power and strength patterns.

Yoga is highly beneficial for athletes because it supports overall performance, reduces the risk of injury, and enhances both the physical and mental aspects of athletic training.

Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion: Athletes often have tight muscles from repetitive movements specific to their sport. Yoga increases flexibility, allowing for a greater range of motion, which can enhance performance in sports that require agility, like running, swimming, or basketball.
Injury Prevention: By promoting balanced strength and flexibility, yoga helps prevent common athletic injuries. It targets both primary muscles used in sports and stabilizing muscles that are often neglected, reducing strain and the risk of overuse injuries.
Enhanced Strength and Core Stability: Yoga poses build functional strength, especially in the core, which is vital for power, balance, and injury prevention. Core strength is particularly important for athletes in sports that require quick changes in direction or sustained postural support, like soccer or cycling
Improved Balance and Coordination: Yoga enhances proprioception (body awareness), balance, and coordination, which are essential for athletes to move efficiently and effectively during competition.
Faster Recovery: The stretching and restorative aspects of yoga help release muscle tension and promote recovery by improving circulation. This speeds up the removal of metabolic waste and reduces post-workout soreness.
Mental Focus and Stress Reduction: The mindfulness and breathing techniques in yoga help athletes stay calm and focused under pressure, which can improve concentration and decision-making during competitions. Reduced stress also means less risk of burnout and better overall mental well-being.
Improved Breathing and Endurance: Yoga teaches breath control (pranayama), which can enhance an athlete's ability to regulate their breathing during high-intensity activities. Better breathing leads to improved endurance and stamina.

Health and Longevity
I owe my health and stamina to yoga, Breath and Body Yoga! With love and patience Desirae straightened my stooping posture removing my dowger hump. With her knowledge and tenacity, she alleviated the arthritis in my hands, healed my rotator cuff tear, and solved the problem with my hip. At 77, I am the happiest, the most creative and the healthiest I have ever been.
Injury and Recovery
I cannot express enough gratitude for Desirae and her transformative impact on my life. After injuring my back in 2018, I struggled with persistent lower back pain that made even short walks painful. I sought treatment from multiple doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists; however, I found no relief.
My sons, who had experienced the benefits of Desirae’s yoga teacher training, encouraged me to try yoga therapy. From our first session, Desirae crafted a personalized program targeting my lower back pain. Her expertise and understanding of my condition were evident, and her supportive approach made all the difference.
After three months of dedicated practice, my back pain was eliminated. Desirae helped me strengthen my core and improve my flexibility balance. I can now engage in all the activities I love—running, swimming, biking, and climbing—without any pain.
Since then, I have continued with private yoga sessions twice weekly, and I truly believe Desirae’s guidance has changed my life. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking relief and improvement in their physical well-being. Thank you, Desirae!
Yoga for Yoga Teachers
I am the teacher I am today largely because of Desirae's instruction and mentorship. My years as her student have been transformative in not only my journey as a yogi, and teacher, but also as a person. Her dedication to nurturing teachers, not just in technique but in heart-centered connection, has given me the tools and confidence to lead with authenticity. Her deep understanding of the practice continues to inspire me daily, reminding me why I teach—to share the profound impact of this practice with others. Teaching with her guidance is not just about poses; it’s about creating a space for growth and transformation.
Yoga for Aging Gracefully
I’ve studied with Desirae since 2009. She’s an excellent teacher and is so much fun. During our personal sessions she is focused on my workout, yet she never pushes me too far or lets me loaf. When we finish, I feel so refreshed and so ready to face the world. She is absolutely super!
Yoga for the New Student
Having never before given yoga a chance, I’ve found that Desirae Pierce’s 25+ years of experience give her a firm knowledge of body dynamics, tolerances and needs, which we have been applying to this 63 year old body for a few months now, with noticeable improvement in strength, flexibility and pain management. It’s been great to stretch and otherwise use muscles that I didn’t know I had, and learn new ways to use “movement as medicine.”
She’s very personable and passionate in her expertise, and gives positive feedback as the lesson progresses. I recommend her highly.
Yoga for Injury Recovery
A few years ago, I was anxiously anticipating my recovery from bunion surgery. I am a very active person and knew I needed to have a safe physical recovery plan. I immediately thought of Desirae. She is highly knowledgeable about the body and made me feel completely secure as I recovered. We started on a several-month-long journey of private yoga sessions, and at the end of it, I was a true yoga convert. She pushed me to recover faster, all while never feeling like I was at risk of injury. After recovery, yoga had become an integral part of my weekly physical activity and something I knew I would continue.
Yoga for Injury and Recovery
It was about six years ago that I walked into Desirae’s Breath and Body Yoga studio after suffering for years with terrible back pain and hip pain. I was at a point where I had to stop running due to this, and yoga was something to try.
I signed up for private lessons with Desirae, and even after the first session, I felt a huge difference. Within a few more sessions, my quality of life was back. I was surprised that this was working, and I was back to running 3x weekly. Since then, I have been doing yoga with Desirae every week, and I even find a way to meet her on business trips and in places like airports (without even a yoga mat).
Yoga for Injury and Recovery
My yoga journey began at Breath and Body Yoga 12 years ago. It not only challenged my body, it opened my mind to all possibilities. I attribute that to the guidance and encouragement of Desiree, so much so that I completed her 200 hr training and began teaching. Her attention to alignment, infusing her knowledge of anatomy and function, is unique. She meets you where you are and inspires you to be your best self! So very grateful.
Dr. Esther Yaniv, MD
Yoga for Corporations + Workplace
Ten years ago, my brother suggested I try power vinyasa yoga. My first class, I almost passed out from exhaustion. But, after a brief recovery, I felt incredible. Before long, I attended multiple classes per week and my kids joined me. As I championed the benefits of yoga, several co-workers suggested they'd like to try it. This led to my hiring Desirae to teach weekly classes. We have done both live and virtual classes every week for almost 5 years. Employees invite family members and friends, further spreading the health benefits of yoga. My yoga journey has been incredible and it started with Breath and Body yoga.
Randy Jacops / Founder & CEO

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