Denise Cook has been teaching yoga in the tradition of Vinyasa Yoga since 2000 in the Denver, Colorado area. Her first teaching and physical practices were in the Ashtanga tradition, and she was influenced early by Johnny Kest and Beryl Bender-Birch and their guidance of teaching Pattabhi Jois' Ashtanga tradition. Her first introduction to yoga asana and pranayama was introduced to her by a physical therapist in 1993 during a healing treatment to deal with an on-going recurrence of childhood depression.
During her first Yoga Conference she was introduced to a totally new practice called "Power Yoga" taught by Baron Baptiste. The idea of using the deeper focus of alignment within the body and human experiences on the mat to heal our mind was transformative. After becoming the first certified Baptiste Power Yoga Teacher in Colorado, she has continued to study with many great masters of both asana, meditation,sanskrit and sprituality. Denise believes that so many answers to questions that arise in our daily lives can be found by simply showing up on our yoga mat and meeting what arises head on.
"Face your fears and they will disappear" ~Baron Baptiste
Her students describe her as loving and compassionate with a truthful voice that uses the ancient teachings to draw her students into real life situations...after all as a mother of two amazing children she is s true householder. She always look for the light in all students.
She playfully began calling her "style", FLOWGA YOGA, a nickname she earned from her son's lacrosse team that stuck. The Tao speaks of being in the flow as "the river course way". It is not that as long as we are human there won't be challenges, but when we can be in the surrender and the flow of life it can feel to glide with ease around us.
"There are a lot of theories out there, but until you show up to practice your breath, discover your buttons and find your peace day in and day out...theories are out the window"~Denise
accomplishments and recognitions
Trainer for Mt. Vista HS Varsity Girls Team
Presenter and creator of "Friday Night Yoga Club" Denver, CO 2011
Started Yoga for Mt. Vista High School Lacrosse Teams, Highlands Ranch, CO
Yoga Rocks the Park Presenter, 2010
Yoga Trainer for 2010 NCAA Denver University Ski Team
Best of the Best CNN 2008 as teacher, Centennial, CO
Best of the Best CNN Studio 2006/2007
Taught House of Representatives at Democratic National Convention 2008
Featured on Frontier Airlines for in-flight yoga 2006
Featured in Yoga Journal, August 2006
Started Ya Ya Yoga which still operates today under Yoga Veda
what Students have shared
“Denise is the best yoga instructor I have ever worked with. The strength, flexibility, and focus we developed with Denise were instrumental in helping our team (University of Denver Ski Team) capture our 21st NCAA National Championship in 2010.”
Thank you!
-Andy LeRoy, Head Coach
Hi Denise,
I want to thank you again for an amazing week. This is the first time I have ever done a week-long cleanse and I found it challenging but so rewarding! I normally eat close to a vegatarian diet but with this cleanse I could definitely see some cracks in it .
The Yin Yoga as well as a hip-opener was an eye-opener, even though it is some of the most difficult asana practice I have ever done. Thank you for that also.
~Darrel
Hi Denise:
Thanks again for the great class today. I loved it!
Walt
Gretchen and I started back to Yoga locally on this side of town. You remain the best yoga teacher on the planet, we miss you terribly and thank you for teaching us the very basic skills so that we can further our yoga practice with a strong belief in ourselves. For all those students you are helping now, they have no idea how much you will impact their lives. Namaste Denise.
I live in Nome, Alaska, a small town of about 3, 000 people that is 500 miles form the nearest yoga studio. I discovered your Alive Yoga classes on the Internet and want to let you know how much I enjoy and appreciate them. I try to do 6 days a week and your presentation and instructions are still fresh and buoyant even after many repetitions.
Thank you so much,
Pete
I just had my first class with Denise and it was awesome! She was kind of funny too!
-B.T.
A wonderful teacher and mentor.
-Diane
Denise,
the yoga practice and all your encouragement to explore our boundaries of the body, mind and soul is irreplaceable.
KP
Denise's gift is she can take any yogi, at various stages in their practice, and
help them to the next level. She teaches from a connection of the mind, body and heart,
and sees where a student is blocked and needs help. She guides with love
and confidence, and is an inspiration to fellow teachers.
Denise knows what it is to be a student first, a teacher second, and to live with an open heart. Thank you so much!
Michelle Marchildon
Denise brings to her studios the highest degrees of whole-hearted acceptance, interconnectedness, and light. She will advance your practice, and she will be your friend. - Shannon Barbare
Yours is a gift to be shared. Many thanks for your friendship and caring ways.
David
It's been awhile but you have been in my thoughts. Beginning to practice yoga has brought change in thoughts & values that has helped me tremendously at this point in my life. It has also created some conflict-it is often difficult for me to run a business that is at odds with many of the lessons I have learned in my practice. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for you.
Mostly just want you to know that your influence has been far reaching for me. You have touched my soul.
BB
