Meet Danny Chapparo of Ashva Yoga in Castle Rock

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Chapparo.

Danny, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My name is Danny Chapparo, and I am the owner and founder of Ashva Yoga. I was born and raised in Germany. My grandparents had a farm and as a kid I spent most of my vacations there, enjoying the animals and outdoors. I was an equestrian, studying jumping and dressage. I always had that dream of coming to America, enamored by the Western close-to-nature lifestyle, the freedom, and the open prairie. When I was 14, I remember going to a bank and exchanging German marks to get one “cool” U.S. dollar to carry in my wallet. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and Master of Business Administration, and was able to participate in an exchange program through the software-engineering position with a Highlands Ranch company. In 1995 I did make the move to the U.S. and continued my career with various software companies.

I would later buy a horse, Abraham, who would change my path in life. In 2003, I had a horseback riding accident and sustained a lower-back fracture. During months of rehabilitation, I took yoga for pain relief and to avoid surgery. Yoga completely changed my body and I spent about six years studying yoga and getting certified to teach. Eventually, I realized how the techniques helped my horsemanship skills and my horse. I noticed a shift in the horse’s energy when I did breathing exercises. Abraham was calmer, more in sync with me. We developed that true connection – union – which is yoga. When I rode with friends, I had them try it, and it worked for them as well. Because of that and other benefits, I started developing the Equestrian Yoga program. I owe so much to my former horse Abraham, for teaching me patience and what it means to be “with the horse”, not just “on the horse”. Without the accident, I probably wouldn’t have found yoga and Equestrian Yoga.

Has it been a smooth road?
I have had an amazing journey so far and can’t wait to see what’s coming down the road. I am blessed to have a loving and supporting husband, great family and friends, and the best yoga community, with, and without horses.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ashva Yoga – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT-200) through Yoga Alliance and teach Hatha Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Workshops at the studio and Equestrian Yoga with and on the horse in the greater Castle Rock area.

I founded the Ashva Yoga studio in downtown Castle Rock, which I have now helped transition over to Buka Yoga so I can continue to grow my Ashva Yoga Equestrian Yoga part of the business.

I have studied with John Friend, Baron Baptiste, Tias Little, Jamie Allison, and Desiree Rumbaugh. I also studied with 4-star Parelli Instructors, Julie Goodnight, Ty Weber, and several other Natural Horsemanship trainers. I incorporate my horsemanship and equestrian background into my teaching.

My style is energetic and enthusiastic and reflects my experience with the various styles of yoga, with a strong emphasis on proper alignment.

My goal is to create a fun, yet safe environment and empower my students to relax, develop greater strength, and improve flexibility.

I was recently featured with my horse Tank in the article “Mind-Horse-Body” in the January 2019 edition of Horse Illustrated. I was a presenter at the 2014 and 2015 Yoga Journal LIVE! conference in Estes Park, CO, teaching Equestrian Yoga, speaker at the National North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) in February 2013, and February 2019, as well as the Parker Elizabeth Riding Club (PERC) in April 2013.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the outdoors and the beautiful Colorado blue skies, friendly people and an awesome yoga community.

Unfortunately, others have also found this little secret and keep moving here, which makes it more challenging with traffic at times.

1 Comment

1. 

   Linda

   September 17, 2019 at 9:45 pm

   Danny has a wealth of knowledge to share with people and horses alike. Great person to work with.

   Reply