DIRECTOR OF TEACHER TRAINING

Joanna Cashman RN, LMT, MFA, E-RYT 

  Joanna is a health promotion specialist, registered nurse,

licensed massage therapist, certified Integrative Yoga Therapist

and founder of the Radiant Health Yoga teacher training program.

She is listed in Who’s Who in American Nursing for the therapeutic

use of yoga and the expressive arts in the clinical setting for the

treatment of mental health and chemical dependency disorders. Joanna is an experienced registered yoga teacher (E-RYT) with the National Yoga Alliance (500Hr.). Her yoga background includes study of Integrative Yoga Therapy, Iyengar, Kripalu and Anusara styles. She is a graduate of the Donna Fahri Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Program. She is a certified teacher of the Bill Evans Method: A Laban/Bartenieff Approach to Dance. Joanna has studied the neurodevelopmental movement therapy work of Irmgard Bartenieff, Bonnie Bainbridge-Cohen, Judith Bluestone, Francis Scott and Paul Dennison. Her study of other bodymind therapies includes Ideokinesis with Pam Matt, Bartenieff Fundamentals with Isa Bergheson, Bill Evans and Doranne Grable, Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement with Mark Reese, Bio-Energetics with Don Eckerstrom, Skinner Releasing Technique with Joan Skinner and Dance/Movement Therapy with numerous teachers. She is a graduate of the Body Mechanics School of Myotherapy and Massage, based in Olympia, WA. At the core of her approach to massage and yoga is compassion expressed through a thoughtful, intelligent blend of musculoskeletal bodywork and energy meridian balancing. This approach honors bodymind fusion and the interrelatedness of our muscles, organs, glands and energy meridian support systems. She has found that the wisdom of Eastern and Western healing modalities complement each other beautifully to support holistic health and personal transformation. 

 

 In 1993 she founded Wild Grace Arts, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization as a vehicle for her therapeutic and creative work. She directed the WGA  Center for Yoga & Dance till 2012 when she passed on ownership to new management and re-named her business entity "Radiant Health Wellness." 

 Joanna’s background also includes a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance from Arizona State University where she studied kinesiology, bio-mechanical analysis of movement, dance therapy, choreography and performance. She danced with numerous regional companies and her creative work has been supported by grants from the NEA, Arizona Humanities Council, Southwest Dance Association, Arizona State University, Bellingham Arts Council and the Soviet Youth Committee. in 1987 she co-directed an Arts for Peace tour performing with American and Soviet artists in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kiev. In 1988 she produced an American/Soviet Concert of Contemporary Dance while in residence at Shevchenko University in Kiev, Ukraine. She received the Bellingham Mayors Art Award in 1993. She has been a guest lecturer at the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Fairhaven College, Pima Community College, Whatcom Community College and was a faculty member at Lesley University, Evergreen State College and Harmony Hill Retreat Center. Committed to promoting health, for over 30 years her supportive, playful teaching style has empowered people of all ages to access their creative and healing instincts by exploring deeper layers of the self and developing self care practices that promote optimal health for body, mind & spirit.
 Joanna’s journey on the path of yoga practice has been eclectic and integrative. By weaving the many threads of her diverse background as artist, educator and health practitioner into a strong, healing practice, she has evolved an approach that is rich in imagery, nurturing of spirit and based on sound kinesiological principles. She calls this practice "Radiant Health Yoga," a holistic health practice that blends the ancient teachings of hatha yoga with contemporary bodymind science. Her enthusiasm is fueled by her personal experience of how yoga has transformed her own life, on every level, for the better. Her friends have nicked named her "Our Lady of Perperual Motion" for her commitment to sharing the joy of movement.