Dawn Mendoza

Founder & Yoga Instructor

Movement Mindfulness and Me

Dawn's passion has always been working with children and families, meeting them where they are and as who they are while assisting them along their journey. Dawn has come to understand the influence that movements found in yoga sequences have on the physical body and the neurological system. This naturally linked her love of her Occupational Therapy career with her love of yoga. Through Movement, Mindfulness and Me programs Dawn's goal is to introduce yoga and mindfulness in a fun engaging way that reaches out and connects to children at an early age to better enable them with a variety of techniques to deal with the stresses of daily life. Dawn strongly believes that yoga is an essential part of a healthy life and that it should be a path of wellness for people of all capabilities. The Yoga philosophy brings ones mind, body, and soul into complete balance. It truly is "learning how to be flexible inside and out". Dawn has seen first-hand through her former work within the classroom, in individual sessions and in her own children, how Yoga, Meditation, and Mindfulness practices, when taught at an early age, can be a foundation and life-long tool that can assist with focus, coordination and self-regulation of emotions and stress. Dawn is a licensed Occupational Therapist in the state of South Carolina, is registered with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and is SIPT certified. She has been a pediatric occupational therapist for over 20 years working extensively in many settings from the NICU, early intervention, sensory integration clinic/hospital setting, the public-school setting, in the community and in home environments. She has been practicing yoga since 2010 and has used yoga and mindfulness to fully support her own life since that time. Dawn is a Registered Yoga Teacher (200 hr), Registered Children's Yoga Teacher having attended the Radiant Child Yoga (95 hr) certification as well as "Yoga for Children with ADHD, Autism and those who are Differently-Abled" (30 hr). Dawn has completed a certification from MINDFUL SCHOOLS that is incorporated into many of the MMM programs and classes and enjoys presenting the Mindful Schools program to area schools. When Dawn is not practicing yoga or creating new ways to share through class series, individual sessions and educational workshops at local schools, you can find her enjoying the outdoors, exploring the mountains with friends and family, reading non-fiction or taking photographs of people she loves. Dawn expresses infinite gratitude for her husband and parents, who have supported her fully and wholeheartedly on this journey of transforming from the "crunchy" and holistic OT to making a dream a reality; and for her two daughters, who remind her daily of the importance of youth and connection. They remain her primary inspiration and source for gathering courage and following such big dreams.