Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Paschal.
Hi Diana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Originally from Tennessee, I spent a decade working in NYC through many career paths before I started Coaching and Teaching Yoga full-time. After leaving NYC where I lived for 10 years, I spent a year in LA. When Covid happened in 2020, the world shut down and I spent time in Mexico and nomadic. I went to visit Austin to check it out.
After a few months in Austin, it felt like home. I packed up and moved officially in Fall of 2021. I started to connect to the Yoga and wellness communities here.
Longer story:
Born a lover of movement, animals, nature, and all art forms, I grew up in a small town in west Tennessee and spent my youth riding my bike, swimming, dancing and climbing trees. My parents had me as teenagers, and they struggled to find stability and peace in their lives. They went through divorce and re-marriage, where I was shuffled from various homes, and step-parents and step-siblings came in and out of my life. I was abused and witnessed addiction and struggles around me.
In high-school, I found fulfillment and community through athletics, Church, music and mentoring other kids. I loved cheerleading, gymnastics and dance and used movement to get out of my head. I got out my angst with Nirvana, Alanis Morisette and Weezer. I became a competitive Cheerleader throughout high school and college, while also teaching kids gymnastics and swimming. I discovered Yoga in College, but I would not dedicate myself to the practice for many more years.
After graduation, I spent half a year living in London, traveling Europe, then officially left the south for the concrete jungle of New York City to create “a better life,” but it wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped. While pursuing a career as an actress, I spent too many nights partying with anybody and everybody, washing down pizza with Tequila. I wasn’t connected to myself. I avoided and numbed my pain. I felt restless, scared and alone. I protected myself, closed myself off from vulnerability and deeper relationships. I built a shield and bottled everything up inside, until I eventually, learned how to process and be with my difficult emotions. I learned how to trust again.
After a few meltdowns, at 27, I dove deeply into self-inquiry with tools from wisdom teachings, yoga, somatic work, holistic health, coaching and conscious relating. I quit drinking alcohol. I recovered from co-dependent, toxic relationships. I learned to love and honor all the parts of myself. At 30, I took a sabbatical to Asia, exploring, teaching, studying and uncovering more truth. I’ve been on the path ever since. I began coaching and teaching in 2014, and my offering continues to evolve with my own growth. Through years of practice, I’ve cultivated deeper presence, sensitivity, compassion and connection to divinity, and I am grateful to share and guide others on their path
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Relocating always has challenges. I stayed in a room at a friends house until I found stability and a home of my own. I started exploring opportunities to teach in person right away in a variety of corporate spaces and yoga studios.
I did feel alone when I first arrived, and eventually I felt more supported with more friends and community. The sober community is big here, and I resonate with gatherings that are not centered around drinking.
I also found connections through women’s groups, Yoga, community workouts, tea rooms, meditation and 5rhythms dance circles.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
AwakenAwe is a mindfulness company sharing expertise in Embodied Meditation, Yoga and Somatics for more embodied calm, connection and authentic leadership. I started the company in NYC, and I have partnered with Boston Consulting Group, Columbia Business School, Axis Security, Aday, NeuCo, Industrious, mllnnl agency, the Sak, MindBodyGreen, Velocity Group, WeWork, Brooklyn Museum, and others.
We offer both in-person and virtual workshops across the country that includes meditation guidance, somatic tools, empathy skills and coaching to improve wellbeing, mindset and focus. Our online platform includes both live and virtual on-demand classes that your team can access anytime, as well.
Our program fosters a positive work culture and supports employee retention. Studies repeatedly show that employees are more fulfilled and engaged when they feel balanced, valued, connected and supported.
We run Yoga Teacher Trainings and Somatic courses that are embodied, sustainable, longevity practices. Trainings combine formal, alignment based Katonah Yoga with emotional regulation tools.
AwakenAwe offers Yoga, Breathwork, Meditation & Somatic workshops, trainings and retreats throughout NYC, LA and Austin and has partnered with corporations like and brands including Arlo Hotel, Gaiam, Wanderlust, Habitas, AloYoga, MindBodyGreen, Columbia Business School, and has taught executives at Velocity Group, mllnnl, theSak, NueCo, Axis, BSG and WeWork.
Founded by Diana Paschal, a 500 E-RYT yoga teacher and trainer who has taught these tools for over 10 years. She blends practical with the mystical through Vinyasa, Katonah Yoga, Sacred Geometry, pranayama and somatics. Diana utilizes the body as a vehicle to bring insight and harmony within oneself and to deepen our connection to the world. She offers practices that are accessible for everyone. Diana is passionate to share Yoga with wider populations, and she has worked with teens, cancer patients, corporate executives, actors, artists, mothers, and those in addiction recovery.
Katonah Yoga® is a syncretic Hatha yoga practice developed by Nevine Michaan over 40 years. It incorporates classical Hatha yoga with Taoist theory, sacred geometry, mythology, metaphor, and imagination — in a practical framework designed to potentiate personal and communal well-being. Framing the practice, maps of time and personal space are defined and refined. Themes using asana as origami, manipulating form for function, and developing a sense of personal measure.
Katonah Yoga is organized around three principles of esoteric dialogue: all polarities are mediated by trinity; the universe has pattern, pattern implies intelligence; by virtue of repetition we gain insight.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Doing things that are sometimes difficult with grace. Overcoming obstacles with grace. Creating on purpose, based on value over profit only. Having a backbone – Sticking to your values and keeping integrity. Being kind, but being honest at the same time.
Pricing:
- 1-1 Sessions $200
- Corporate Wellness Weekends – Custom starting at $2,000
- Customer Somatic + Mobility Program – custom starting at $700
- Retreats – $3K-$5K
- YTT – $500 – $4K
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dianapaschalyoga.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianapaschal
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianapaschalyoga
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianapaschal/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dianapaschal
