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October Updates & News
Featured in this issue: Specials ā¢ Video Letter from Diana
New Workshop ā¢ Healthy Recipes & Much More
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āSpooky" Good Healthy Specials to help you get through the holiday season
10 Classes at 20% off:
- Purchase any 10-class package at 20% off
- Good for 4 months from date of purchase
Purchase 5 Private Sessions with one of our trainers and get 10 FREE regular classes! Thatās $140 in savings!
- 1/2 system credit can be used for this special
- Classes are good for 4 months from date of purchase
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New Classes & Changes
- Saturday 8:30am yoga with Rachel!
- Betsy will teach Sunday 6:30pm yoga
- Watch for Diana's upcoming new class... "Walk-N-Learn
The 2026 'essence of yoga' 200hr Yoga Teacher Training Dates are now set! See below for the details and contact Diana to sign up soon! This course is not just for those wanting to teach...but for anyone wanting to learn the skills of yoga for life. See the testimonials of those who just finished the course. Don't miss the early-bird rate to sign up.
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Recent Awards
Mature Living Reader's Choice Awards
Diana Spiess Voted Best Trainer
2019 ā¢ 2020 ā¢ 2021 ā¢ 2022 ā¢ 2023 ā¢ 2024 ā¢ 2025
Essence Voted Best Fitness Studio
2021 ā¢ 2023 ā¢ 2024 ā¢ 2025
Toledo City Paper Best of Toledo Awards
2024 Winner
Best Naturopathā Diana Speiss
Best Life Coach ā Diana Spiess
2024 Runner Up
Best Personal Trainer ā Diana Spiess
Yoga Instructor ā Diana Spiess
Nutrition Counselingā Diana Spiess
Yoga Studioā Essence
Boutique Fitness Studioā Essence
Holistic Health Centerā Essence
Diana Spiess Voted Best Yoga Teacher
2017 ā¢ 2018 ā¢ 2019 ā¢ 2020 ā¢ 2022 ā¢ 2023 ā¢ 2024
Toledo Blade Readers' Choice Awards
2024 Winner ā¢ Best Yoga Studio
| | Comprehensive Wellness Program | | Diana's endless knowledge and compassion for her clients is nothing short of impressive! As a first time mom in my third trimester, I cannot imagine the pain and discomfort I'd experience without our sessions and daily homework! Even when I call her on a Saturday in a panic after pulling something overnight, she got me in the same day!! I left that session feeling lighter, empowered and hopeful I can manage my newest pregnancy ailment! I couldn't be more grateful for her guidance and support during this physically challenging season for me, and looking forward to digging even deeper into my misalignment/compensation patterns post partum! āLisa B. | | |
I am immensely grateful for the transformative care I received from Diana Spiess, a multifaceted health and wellness professional with over 30 years of experience . Despite consultations with various doctors and undergoing X-rays that revealed no issues, I continued to suffer from persistent foot pain. Diana's keen observational skills allowed her to identify, within just 45 seconds of watching me walk, that a hip misalignment was the root cause of my discomfort.
Her holistic approach, encompassing therapeutic training and personalized stretching routines, not only alleviated my foot pain but also enhanced my overall mobility. Her dedication to understanding the interconnectedness of the body is truly remarkable. āNicholas B.
| | Diana has been integral to my wellness lifestyle for the past five years. Diana is a well-informed, caring coach, from yoga and weight training to nutrition and naturopathic healing modalities. I feel safe doing body work with her. As an elder, thatās important! Her nutritional coaching has helped clean up my gut, improved my immune system, and increased my awareness of the importance of clean eating every day. Diana continually motivates me to be a healthier, stronger person. Essence Studio is a wise choice for anyone ready to meet the challenge of improving their fitness and overall well being. Diana is the perfect guide! āBonnie C. | | I came to Essence studio in my late 50s about six months ago. I had always wanted to try yoga. After researching I decided on Essence. I made the right decision. I was drawn to the variety of classes. Yoga, Pilates, weights, dance. Diana is extremely knowledgeable as an instructor. Her commitment to health and wellness was obvious after our first conversation. I was apprehensive to begin the Yoga Teacher Training journey, also, but I'm so glad I was open to it and itās been wonderful! All of the instructors are awesome. This has been an enlightening experience. I love this place and look forward to continued health and learning! āTheresa M. | | |
I was very hesitant to come in to see Diana. I have lived with pain for so long. I guess I just got to the point that it was going to be part of whatās left of my life. It made me sad, but I didnāt think there was any other choice. Iād had lots of tests done to try to find a diagnosis, but it was of no help. Then my oldest daughter heard about Diana and her studio.
I didnāt know what to expect on my first visit. Diana put me at ease from the very moment I met her. And I believe it was within five minutes of her, watching me walk and checking the placement of my hips she felt confident, not only did she know what was wrong, but she also had a plan on how to help me. We canāt turn back the clock and make ourselves young again, but itās nice to know that thereās people like Diana, who can help to make us better with the time that we have. I donāt recommend much to peopleā¦ I think people have to make their own decisions, but I would recommend Diana and her knowledge to anyone who is willing to put in the work! āBetty K.
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"Have you ever thought about teaching yoga?" Me "No way!, I just want to be a student. I wouldn't be good enough, I'm not skinny enough." Fast forward to January 19th when my yoga studio hosted a Sound Bath with Diana. At the end of the session she asked if anyone would be interested in doing Yoga Teacher Training that she is starting on the 24th. I wasn't even going to come to this because I waited too long to sign up and it was full. Well, a spot was saved for me so I went and I am so glad I did! I was going through some stuff and I was led to stay after to find out more about it. She said to put the teaching part on the back burner. Not everyone that goes through YTT actually ends up teachingā¦ they do it for themselves. I didnāt know what that meant until I went to our first night and I realized I needed this for me and if teaching is in my future that will be a bonus! Diana is such a wealth of knowledge with degrees and certifications I am learning not only yoga, how to meditate (which I struggle with), but also how to take care of myself physically and mentally. I have learned so much already and am so excited to see where this journey takes me. āJessie T.
| | Iāve been going to Diana for a year on the recommendation from a friend and a doctor who told me I needed physical therapy from someone with knowledge of the function of a womenās hips and pelvis area. I tried traditional PT for 9 months unsuccessfully prior to seeing Diana. She has saved me! After two years of debilitating hip pain, I am now pain free. I can exercise again without worrying if it will cause my hip to hurt. Her āhomeworkā of stretching the entire body and working on the fascia has done wonders for me. Not only are my hips better, but also my entire posture and flexibility are, too. I highly recommend seeing her for any type of joint/muscle pain! ā Natalie P. | | October Video Letter from Diana | | |
Many of you have been asking for this... and itās finally here! AND...now it is mobile-friendly! This is Diana's official launch of her first app with SO much information to help anyone on a true, full wellness journey! Thereās a 7 day free trial window for the app when you set up a new account and sign up for full access. Diana will be adding more all the time including live opportunities to learn and practice with her for those subscribed.
www.essenceofwellness.app
Whatās included:
- many of Dianaās workshops with the PDF slides
- guided meditations and breathing practices
- tips and inspirations
- nutrition guidance & recipes
- classes
- Dianaās āHomeworkā
- ā¦.much more!
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This year's classes are now all full! Watch for the 2026 dates on The Toledo Zoo's web site soon!
Join Diana and other essence staff for several 'Zen at the Zoo' yoga classes this year! We have new locations this year and many great experiences! Sign up soon...they fill fast!
Zen at the Zoo Information and Sign Up
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Sign up online at www.essencembs.com or call the studio. Spaces are limited.
See her entire background here:
www.dianaspiess.com
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Functional Health & Medicine Workshop
with Diana Spiess
November 2nd 12-3pm
Join Diana Spiess for a workshop that goes into so much detail about functional medicine and health. She will cover topics such as:
- nutrition
- hormones
- gut health
- metabolism and all this really entails
- supplementation: why & how & when
- the blood-brain barrier, mental health & neuroplasticity
- all the reasons for good sleep
- movement for health functions throughout the entire body
- ...much much more.
Diana has decades of experience in many modalities and has helped her clients over-come serious health conditions and find true balance and health in their bodies.
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Definition of Yoga Therapy
Yoga therapy is the professional application of the principles and practices of yoga to promote health and well-being within a therapeutic relationship that includes personalized assessment, goal setting, lifestyle management, and yoga practices for individuals or small groups.
Contact Diana asap if interested diana@essencembs.com.This program has an application process. To apply for this program and to receive more details, please submit your interest to Diana Spiess at diana@essencembs.com
Course layout includes:
- Live training hours both in-studio and online
- Self-paced course work on Teachable
- Books to be read and reported on
- I-AYT requires a minimum of 2 years of study
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'Essence of Yoga'
Yoga Therapist Training School
Diana has been working toward this for over 8 years! and here it is!
This course is for those who have completed a 200hr Yoga Teacher Program and aspire to become a Certified Yoga Therapist. Diana has been a certified yoga therapist for almost a decade and the school is now an I-AYT member school. This course will begin in January 2024 and is a 2-year program minimum. The course is open to 8 students and 4 spots are filled already.
Some Topics Covered Include:
- Yoga for Autoimmune Diseases
- Yoga for Children of All Ages
- Pre and Post Natal Yoga
- Yoga for Anxiety and Depression
- Yoga for Orthopedic Needs
- Detailed Use of Yoga Props
- Yoga for the Aging Population
- Yoga to Resolve Trauma Effects
- Yoga for Neurological Conditions (Parkinson's, M.S., Lupus, Schizophrenia) etc)
- Yoga for Mental Health Conditions
- Detailed Training in Pranayama (breathing practices)
- Meditation and Yoga Nidra
- Yogic Philosophy and Lifestyle
- Detailed Anatomy and Postural Assessments
- Detailed Breakdown on Nutrition and Functional Medicine
- Detailed Study and Practice on Communication Techniques
- Observation and Clinical Hours with Diana
- ...much more!
Upon completing this course, each student will have, along with their Yoga Therapist Certification, also acquired a certification in:
- Children's Yoga (Yoga Alliance)
- Prenatal Yoga (Yoga Alliance)
- Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher Level 1 & 2 ('essence of yoga' and can be petitioned for CEC's in numerous organizations
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Trauma-Sensitive Teacher Training Level 1
NEW Training Dates/Times Level 1
Coming Soon!
Cost: $650 (pricing plans available)
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Trauma-Sensitive Teacher Training Level 2
NEW Training Dates/Times Level 2
Coming Soon!
Cost: $650 (pricing plans available)
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LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE!
Motivational Moments: Tournament Time
Join Diana Spiess for this powerful podcast about how we are way too often living in what she calls "tournament time" and trying to learn new skills during this time for self-care...this does not work. She gives wonderful analogies and helps the listeners gather very useful information to help pave the way for more balanced health and more ease in managing the "tournament times" in our lives.
Listen to episodes at:
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ļ»æCatch up on previous episodes!
| | | Yoga and Pilates Trainings | | |
TRAINING PROGRAM REVIEW
āļøāļøāļøāļøāļø 5 out of 5
Review by Lori Smith on May 12, 2023
300hr YTT Training Program held Dec. 1, 2020ā Dec. 31, 2022
"Diana Spiess leads an in-depth teacher training program, which challenges students to learn and put into practice those lessons. The flexibility regarding timing to complete the program is helpful, and Diana will work with students as needed. The weekend classes, anatomy intensives, Yoga Enthusiast Practice classes, and other specialty classes are fabulous options, allowing students to explore a variety of areas that can be developed further, if interested. I was challenged personally and professionally, which ultimately helped me become a better teacher. Iām also grateful for the opportunity to meet other teachers and develop friendships that will last well beyond the teacher training program! Diana models healthy living, and I respect that she lives her yoga on and off the mat. In my humble opinion, the depth and breadth of Dianaās overall knowledge is second to none and I am fortunate to consider her a mentor as I continue additional trainings at Essence."
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The Pilates Essential/Beginner Reformer and Cadillac, Chair, and Barrels Courses are also available with the Matwork!
The "essence of Pilates" Teacher Training is now fully accredited with the ITTAP!
The āessence of Pilatesā TT school has been accredited with the PMA for 2 years and is now noted as an official member school with the 2025 PMA Accredited Schools
Mat Training Dates 2025
March 15th 12-3pm
April 27th 12-3pm
May 10th 11-2pm
Sign up here and see details!
Many folks do these trainings to go on to teach others and many do them to enhance their knowledge and practice.
These trainings can be used for CEC's for ACE, Yoga Alliance, C-IAYT, and petitioned for many others
Contact Diana for details and questions or to get registered: diana@essencembs.com
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2026 Yoga Teacher Trainingļ»æ
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ļ»æThe next āesenece of yogaā training program is getting ready for January 2026! You do not want to miss this powerful, life-changing opportunity to learn skills and practices to take your health and well-being to a whole, new level.
Contact Diana with any questions and details to get started!
See more of the Lead Instructor's background here: www.dianaspiess.com
| | Congratulations to the newest graduates of the 200hr YTT program! | | | |
See what this past yearās student have to say about how their lives have changed: ļ»æ
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ļ»æThe skills you acquire extend far beyond the mat. You learn how to breathe through challenges, navigate stress, and approach life with more balance and authenticity. -ES
āYoga Teacher Training (YTT)ā Is a lesson of life balance and finding strength in your home; your body. I have learned and continue to learn how to notice all the little things and how everything is connected. How choice is our super power. And Intention drives everything. My perspective and outlook have been enhanced through this experience. - Becky M.
I entered yoga teacher training not with the intention to teach, but with a desire to deepen my understanding of yoga. What I gained went far beyond the physical practice. This journey taught me more about who I am, helped me grow in ways I never expected, and shifted my perspective on how I treat myself and others. - Holly S.
When I started my YTT journey I knew I would learn about yoga and meditation. What I found is that I can heal my body not only with yoga stretches but the food I put in my body. After the our first weekend I was adamant I was not going to change the way I eat. Gluten and dairy free, veganishā¦ not me! 9 months later I am making vegan ranch and making food with only clean ingredients. Whoād have thought? - Jessie T.
2026 YTT 200hr Weekends:
Jan. 23-25
INTRO TO YTT, COURSE WORK & EXPECTATIONS, BEGINNING ASANA & PRANAYAMA (BREATHING TECHNIQUES)
Feb. 20-23
INTRO TO MEDITATION, ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY, UNDERSTANDING FLOWING (VINYASA) YOGA
March 20-22
INTRO TO THE CHAKRAS AND CONTINUING ANATOMY, HOT YOGA CLASS, BREAKDOWN YOGA STYLES, CONTRADICTIONS AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS
April 17-19
INTRO TO USING YOGA PROPS (IYENGAR STYLE), YOGA ADJUSTMENTS, YOGA PHILOSOPHY AND LIFESTYLE, EATING FOR OVER-ALL HEALTH AND WITH AWARENESS
May 15-17
PARTNER YOGA, ANATOMY, YAMAS & NIYAMAS, STUDENTS BEGIN TEACHING
COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES, DETAILED POSE-BREAKDOWN, HEALING MODALITIES
June 21
ETHICS AND TEACHING SAFETY, INVERSIONS, ADVANCED POSTURES, AND STUDENT PROJECTS
July 19
EATING FOR OVER-ALL HEALTH AND WITH AWARENESS
August 21-23
STARTING YOUR YOGA BUSINESS, RESTORATIVE YOGA, DETAILED POSE BREAKDOWN, UNDERSTANDING MALAS, MANTRA AND CHANTING, UNDERSTANDING YOUR STUDENTS/AUDIENCE, STUDENT PROJECTS
Sept. 17-20
LAST ASANA CLASSES TOGETHER AS A CLASS, GROUP HEALING SESSION, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, GRADUATION LUNCH WITH FAMILIES
Times:
Thursday (last weekend only) 5:30-9pm
Fridays 5:30pm-9:00pm
Saturdays 11:00am-6:30pm *1 hour lunch
Sundays 10:00am-5:00pm *1 hour lunch
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'essence of healing'
* new class forming now! Contact Diana for more information and to sign up.
Folks have been waiting for Diana to offer this course for some time! She has launched the first class and is taking sign-ups now for new class starting May 2025!
see more here
- the history and science behind sound and vibration on our health, meditation, the brain waves
- sound therapy with numerous instruments for private sessions and groups
- crystals and how their vibration effects us with crystal layouts for healing and balancing energy
- aromatherapy and its effects on the body for healing
- How to include all of these modalities for healing in private and group sessions
- ...much more!
***Important to note: If you would like to do this course and certify with Diana, you will need to complete the Trauma Sensitive Course Level 1 with Diana and Soma Energetics Phase 1 with Diana in addition to this course work.
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email Diana to sign up diana@essencembs.com
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Apple Cider Doughnuts
(Vegan + GF)
Make up a batch and you'll never want store-bought again.
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Click to get the recipe.
| | Join Us Online for Great Classes on Zoom! | |
Important Zoom Class Reminders:
- For those participating via zoom, you must be visible on camera. We can not allow participants coming on with us without a camera option going forward for safety reasons.
- Be signed up at least 2 hours before the class begins
- Zoom link will be sent about 1 hour before class begins to your email
- Be signed in 15 minutes before class
- Ask all in your home to be off the internet for best reception for Zoom classes
- You will be on mute during Zoom classes and can send a chat message to the instructor if needed.
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For yoga classes, please leave savasana at the beginning or stay on the entire time to avoid being disruptive to the class.
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Here are links to products that Diana uses daily!
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Reminder! Keep your Valuables Safe.
Please consider keeping valuables and things you do not need in your trunk or at home when coming to the studio. Due to space and safety concerns, we cannot have extra belongings in the rooms while classes are going on. Although we take pride in our amazing community and studio, Essence is not responsible for lost or stolen items, and we are hoping to help you prevent any issues while also keeping the studio safe and spacious for everyone.
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Studio Policies
No recordings, photos, or copying of classes, workshops, or private sessions without written permission from the owner. Please leave all cellular devices on silent/off and in your bag during sessions/classes.
In order to make the space comfortable for everyone, please refrain from wearing colognes or perfumes to class.
Thank you! Namaste!
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Standard Reception Hours
Mon-Fri 8:30-11:30am ā¢ Mon-Thurs 4:30-7:30pm ā¢ Sat 7:45am-11:30am
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