recipient_alana_dacosta_hsAlana DaCosta is a creative rebel and her creative abilities are limitless. A mother of two, educator, counselor, interdisciplinary artist and creative community builder, Alana started practicing hot yoga about 10 years ago. For the last 2 years, Alana has practiced Bikram Yoga daily and says that her practice has helped her find the balance, abundance and peace within regardless of the stress, chaos or dysfunction that may surround us in life. Alana works with several non-profit community agencies to reconnect and strengthen diverse communities through the development and implementation of creative arts initiatives and healing arts workshops. “Yoga allows us to be present, aware and free to simply breathe and be, unapologetically. Through yoga we can learn how to align with the true self- the I am and re-define those I am statements, “ says Alana, a graduate of Howard University and Nova Southeastern University, with a B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Mental Health Counseling.

Alana also facilitates healing arts workshops infused with asanas, prana exercises and incorporates the healing powers of voice and sound with diverse groups of all ages and backgrounds. Additionally, Alana completed instructor training with Connection Coalition formerly known as Yoga Gangsters. Connection Coalition (C oCo) works in collaboration with youth organizations to provide access to tools that help calm the nervous system and allow better decision making through the exploration and practice of yoga, mindfulness and meditation. One of Alana’s missions as a creative community builder is to deepen her own yoga practice in order to be able to better s erve, heal, recharge and reconnect people within marginalized communities through the exploration of the healing arts of yoga, music, visual arts and poetry. Musically, Alana’s distinctive sound also extends beyond boundaries as she blends neo-soul with reggae, jazz, world music and a drop of funk. Alana is also a graduate of the Dillard High School of Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With the drive and passion felt in her works and community initiatives, like International Kindness Day, there is no doubt, that Alana DaCosta is destined to leave her mark in our world and continue to inspire and help restore our global community; paying it forward, one yogi at a time!

Connect with Alana DaCosta at www.AlanaDaCosta.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/alanadacosta, and on Instagram @RebelRAS77.