Janis Marie Fish e-RYT500 and C-IAYT + Nervous System RESET
(C-IAYT - Certified Yoga Therapist
Nervous System RESET
Registered Yoga Teacher @ E-RYT 500 hours
Certified Svaroopa Yoga Teacher @ 700 hours
Embodyment Yoga Therapist
Over 2000 hours of training
Women's Temple Groups (Awakening Women's Institute)
2014 Temple Training Nevada City with Chameli
2015 Assist at Temple Training Nevada City with Chameli
2017 Advanced Women's Leadership with Chameli
2018 Assist at Advanced Women's Leadership with Chameli
Member of IAYT - International Association of Yoga Therapist
Women's Temple Groups - Awakening Women's Institute
Event Curator - workshops/trainings/retreats
Surdo Player in Portland Samba
Lover of music, dance, singing, trees....
Some of the other trainings, workshops, experiences that I bring into my work with you
My core teachers right now are:
Chameli Ardagh
Maya Luna
Kaya Mindlin
Jessica Schaffer
Nervous System Training
Jessica Schaffer
Nervous System and Core Awareness
Liz Koch
Kimberly Ann Johnson
Katie Dove
Sexual Awakening work
Shakti Malan
Lisa Schrader
Kim Keller
Valentina Leo
One Taste
Music and Singing, Vocal exploration
California Brazil Camp
Lions of Batucata
Portland Samba
MaracatuPDX
Sing Portland - Marion Van Namon
Barbara McAfee - Full Voice Training
Marisa Michelson - Voice and the Nervous System
Yoga
Lilias Folan
Rama Berch
Kaya Mindlin
Yoga Therapy:
Rama Berch
Kaya Mindin
Business Coaching:
Mark Silver
Laura Cornell
Chameli Ardagh
Published on Medium
The Nervous System Revolution — what actually works?
Money and Your Nervous System
Flyball with my dog BaxterCalifornia Brazil Camp 2018 with Pitoco and the crew from MaracatuPDXSing Portland goes to NYCLions of Batucata - PDX 2021Portland Pride with Portland Samba 2022Baxter the wonder dog
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My mission - to use the tools I've learned to support individuals in their journey to the inside. The tools that are offered can have side affects, such as pain relief, quieted mind, less stress, more present, resolving digestive issues, sleep issues, and be more comfortable in your own skin.
Maybe you are here you are someone who has tried many modalities, alternative and allopathic (traditional medicine) and are curious how yoga approaches your issues: whether back pain, neck/shoulder/hip pain, stress, injury, recovering from illness, menopause, or you are going through a major life transition. Perhaps you have been practicing yoga for a long time and are finding your practice is creating joint issues, pain, overstretched ligaments, or some other problems, so you are looking for a different approach. This is NOT stretching, it's releasing tension in the muscles connected to the spine. There has been direct experience of how effective and transformative this practice is. Both personally and in working with students or clients. I've worked with so many people dealing with various issues and all always find the practice is much deeper than they imagined. I love supporting others in realizing their goals and even creating a alchemy by using some of the varied teachings I've been so lucky to learn and share. I've been teaching classes since 2002 + years, doing Yoga Therapy since 2004. I started doing yoga at 14, but there was very little access to yoga at the time. My introduction to yoga was via Lillias Folan on PBS. Then I found a few stretch classes in college, and eventually I did find a few classes here and there. After doing the corporate gig for 20+ years I was drawn back to the path and to Yoga Teacher Training in 1999 when I lived in San Diego. The last three years I've been studying/training with Kaya Mindlin, who is calling what she teaches SRY (pronounced Shree) and stands for "Spinal Release Yoga" or "Soma Release Yoga". Studying with Kaya has energized my interest in teaching again, and has also informed my tool set used during Yoga Therapy sessions. I want to add some of my other interests, which include music, dogs, charities, dancing and reading. I recently started becoming more interested in music, so I play a little Brazilian music with MaracatuPDX. I also sing in a choir (Sing Portland) and love head out on the town to hear live music and dance. My dog Baxter is the center of my universe, I head to the dog park for some connection/nature therapy almost everyday. My dog Baxter plays Flyball, that's the video to your left, The main charity I'm involved in is Treesisters, which is much more than a tree planting organization. It's really a concsciousness raising, education AND ecoforward organization. I've been blessed to have been able to organize workshops and trainings with several teachers over the years. I've not only studied Yoga, I've been on a seekers path since I was 14. I've studied a with a range of teachers, and have done extensive self study. My deepest influence at this time is Chameli Ardagh of Awakening Women's Institute. As I mentioned about Kaya Mindlin is my Yoga Teacher and mentor. The style of Yoga that has influenced the practice I teach is called Svaroopa Yoga, as taught by Rama Berch (now Swami Nirmalananda). I've also studied Ayurveda on my own, have been with Amma almost every year for the past 16 years when she visits us here in the NW. Have also sat with Gangaji, Adyashanti, Shri Karunamayi, Shambhavi Saraswati, Dalai Lama. Some other influences are Sally Kempton, Shakti Malan, Lisa Schrader, and the long list of people who are not well known. Some of the most profound teachings come from students, learning from their experience and that helping inform what's next, and the evolution of a practice. There is no end to the learning and the making shifts in how I teach so that you get what it is that can create transformation on all levels. Just can't help share that which I've learned and experienced as the influence of so many amazing teachers, those teachings sink into your bones, as most great teachers are imparting transmission beyond words. |
A little more about my inspiration:
I started practicing yoga simply for my own pleasure and curiosity. To me this journey has been an ongoing and powerful, challenging and often times blissful experience. I have found that there are deep inner body awareness practices that have had a profound influence on my life outside the classroom. The way I handle life challenges has changed dramatically, which to me is the "real yoga"...still practicing.....
The call to teach classes and facilitate individual sessions came out of my own love and gratitude for the practices. I found I could support others. In fact, I couldn't NOT share what I've learned in these simple yet deeply transformative tools for healing and awakening.
I look forward to serving you. You were given the gift of being born, of having a body, to experience all of life - even the parts of life that aren't so easy, even the times in your life that are overwhelming. I'm here to support you on your journey towards a more embodied way of living - to inhabit your body, to be fully here, fully present.
With love,
Janis Marie Fish
Testimonials:
Janis,
I just want to let you know how much I respect you for seeking the path that will support you emotionally and financially while you grow a business designed to nourish others.
Your svaroopa classes helped me through a period of both physical and emotional pain from grief and self-neglect when I was still caring for my mom in my home while parenting 3 children and keeping my home functioning.
In the fall I completed training to teach yoga to children ages 2-7 - and that has brought laughter and joy into my life. In March I will begin a 200-hour yoga teacher training course with SarahJoy Marsh. Yoga has the power to be so transformative. Best Wishes for your new direction,
Heather Leap
Personally I find Yoga Therapy to be invaluable. I developed a chronic pain in my left hip in 2011.I tried various types of treatment, but in 2014 I started
Going to Janis regularly for Yoga Therapy!One thing I noticed from the first session, I never knew what It meant to be OPEN until I had the Yoga Therapy.Now every time, I feel Open and Blissed Out!Best of all, I have NO real pain in my left hip anymore!
Thanks!
Judith
Hi Janis,
I want to thank you for the great beginning session today. Thank you for allowing me to verbally process what has been going on with me. Talking about it helps me integrate this energy too. It is so expansive, I have never felt it in this way before, so it is kind of blowing me away, but today's session really helped the integration process.
Bernadette
I started practicing yoga simply for my own pleasure and curiosity. To me this journey has been an ongoing and powerful, challenging and often times blissful experience. I have found that there are deep inner body awareness practices that have had a profound influence on my life outside the classroom. The way I handle life challenges has changed dramatically, which to me is the "real yoga"...still practicing.....
The call to teach classes and facilitate individual sessions came out of my own love and gratitude for the practices. I found I could support others. In fact, I couldn't NOT share what I've learned in these simple yet deeply transformative tools for healing and awakening.
I look forward to serving you. You were given the gift of being born, of having a body, to experience all of life - even the parts of life that aren't so easy, even the times in your life that are overwhelming. I'm here to support you on your journey towards a more embodied way of living - to inhabit your body, to be fully here, fully present.
With love,
Janis Marie Fish
Testimonials:
Janis,
I just want to let you know how much I respect you for seeking the path that will support you emotionally and financially while you grow a business designed to nourish others.
Your svaroopa classes helped me through a period of both physical and emotional pain from grief and self-neglect when I was still caring for my mom in my home while parenting 3 children and keeping my home functioning.
In the fall I completed training to teach yoga to children ages 2-7 - and that has brought laughter and joy into my life. In March I will begin a 200-hour yoga teacher training course with SarahJoy Marsh. Yoga has the power to be so transformative. Best Wishes for your new direction,
Heather Leap
Personally I find Yoga Therapy to be invaluable. I developed a chronic pain in my left hip in 2011.I tried various types of treatment, but in 2014 I started
Going to Janis regularly for Yoga Therapy!One thing I noticed from the first session, I never knew what It meant to be OPEN until I had the Yoga Therapy.Now every time, I feel Open and Blissed Out!Best of all, I have NO real pain in my left hip anymore!
Thanks!
Judith
Hi Janis,
I want to thank you for the great beginning session today. Thank you for allowing me to verbally process what has been going on with me. Talking about it helps me integrate this energy too. It is so expansive, I have never felt it in this way before, so it is kind of blowing me away, but today's session really helped the integration process.
Bernadette
My favorite Contemplation for class is simply this:
"All effort on the path is to discover effortlessness" - by Shambhavi Saraswati
Working one on one with me:
Do you have any pain, discomfort, or stress? It can be physical pain, emotional pain or straight up your life is a pain in the ass kind of pain. On a scale of 1 to 10 what is your level of pain? Give it a number right now? If it's a 4 or higher then it's affecting your life on many levels. It's keeping you from doing the things you love to do, maybe things you want to be able to do again someday. Doing Embodiment practices will improve your health so that you can do the things you aren't able to do at this time.
The good news is that if you are willing to invest in your own self care, giving your body the attention, compassion and care, knowing and accepting the wisdom of asking for help, receiving the support you need, change IS possible.
My expertise is in what I call Embodiment. I use tools, mostly based upon a very gentle style of Yoga Therapy that creates more body awareness, stimulate the parasympathetic response, and balances your immune system. When working with me we'll start with more passive poses that will help you get a sense of the affects of this different way of being in your body. The next step is to provide simple practices and supporting documents so you can do the work yourself, with my support via in person, email, phone support. My intention is you get to a place where you can rely on your own practice to support you and come see me when you need a tune up, or want to go a little deeper.
"All effort on the path is to discover effortlessness" - by Shambhavi Saraswati
Working one on one with me:
Do you have any pain, discomfort, or stress? It can be physical pain, emotional pain or straight up your life is a pain in the ass kind of pain. On a scale of 1 to 10 what is your level of pain? Give it a number right now? If it's a 4 or higher then it's affecting your life on many levels. It's keeping you from doing the things you love to do, maybe things you want to be able to do again someday. Doing Embodiment practices will improve your health so that you can do the things you aren't able to do at this time.
The good news is that if you are willing to invest in your own self care, giving your body the attention, compassion and care, knowing and accepting the wisdom of asking for help, receiving the support you need, change IS possible.
My expertise is in what I call Embodiment. I use tools, mostly based upon a very gentle style of Yoga Therapy that creates more body awareness, stimulate the parasympathetic response, and balances your immune system. When working with me we'll start with more passive poses that will help you get a sense of the affects of this different way of being in your body. The next step is to provide simple practices and supporting documents so you can do the work yourself, with my support via in person, email, phone support. My intention is you get to a place where you can rely on your own practice to support you and come see me when you need a tune up, or want to go a little deeper.

Supported Fish Pose
An example of using props in a pose. The propping helps you relax and soften into angles that reach into the spinal muscles. I assist you in alignment and/or adjustments so that you can effectively get spinal release, or decompression of the spine.
An example of using props in a pose. The propping helps you relax and soften into angles that reach into the spinal muscles. I assist you in alignment and/or adjustments so that you can effectively get spinal release, or decompression of the spine.

Lunge Pose
This is one of the core poses of the Svaroopa Yoga practice. We use blocks in this pose to help you with your spinal alignment and to assist you in learning how to really lean into your bones for support. You will learn to rely on the support of your bones, alignment, awareness and easy breathing to get changes in your body. This is a completely different approach than stretching or exercise - you are essentially learning how to return your body to it's natural, open state - relaxed and awake, energized and aware. Finding the flow, letting go of resistance.
This is one of the core poses of the Svaroopa Yoga practice. We use blocks in this pose to help you with your spinal alignment and to assist you in learning how to really lean into your bones for support. You will learn to rely on the support of your bones, alignment, awareness and easy breathing to get changes in your body. This is a completely different approach than stretching or exercise - you are essentially learning how to return your body to it's natural, open state - relaxed and awake, energized and aware. Finding the flow, letting go of resistance.