Diane Kavanaugh-Black, Kripalu Yoga Teacher (KYT-200 hour), brings experience and joy to nature walks and workshop experiences from many parts of her life, including a 13-year private massage therapy practice in Chicago where she specialized in athletes, office workers and clients with chronic pain.  She is also a parent, private tutor for all ages, personal chef, and community volunteer.  She has been practicing yoga since 2010 when she discovered Sun Salutations and Kripalu yoga as she recovered from major surgery.  

In May of 2016, Diane began a six month certification process as a Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, through the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides and Programs.  Her practice of deep nature connection comes out of the healing she has found in spending quiet observant time in the woods and mountains of New York state, and discovering the natural world in her urban environment as well.

Diane now offers 2.5 to 3 hour Nature and Forest Therapy walks, along with half or full day workshops on Movement and Writing, Wellness and Work Flow, Hiking with Yoga, and Becoming Better Friends with Your Body Parts. 

A writer of memoir and essays and a photographer as well as owner of Of-The-Essence Holistic Wellness, Diane writes about meditative living, the natural world, hiking, food,  yoga, gardening, and overcoming perfectionism at http://oftheessenceblog.com .