Marna Hanneman

Instructor Marna Hanneman headshot - Continuing Education at Seattle Central College

Marna began to practice Hatha yoga in earnest more than 25 years ago, and started teaching her own classes at Bellevue College in 2001 until recently. She also teaches at Crescent Moon Yoga in La Conner.

Marna's yoga curriculum has become well known for people who want a more gentle yoga experience. She has taught people of size, people with life-threatening illnesses, and people with physical limitations such as arthritis, autoimmune diseases, joint replacements, multiple scoliosis and Parkinson’s disease. Marna taught a popular class combining Yoga and Pilates. She also has designed a meditation class for those going through cancer treatments and other life threatening illnesses. 

As a result of having practiced and studied many kinds of yoga over time, Marna has come to believe that it is a journey of many paths. She practices Karma yoga. She appreciates all of her teachers, for helping her on her journey and is honored and humbled to be teaching. Marna has studied with many yogis and yoginis, including Judith Hanson Lasater, John Friend, Gary Kraftsow, Eric Schiffmann, Patricia Waldon, Rod Stryker, Victor Van Kooten, Tias Little, Nischala Joy Devi, Roger Cole, and Elise Miller.  Marna regularly attends workshops, intensives, and conferences through Yoga Journal, NW Yoga Conferences and IDEA.

Marna has a teaching designation of E-RYT 200 through Yoga Alliance, an international organization that adheres to the fundamental principals of Yoga to “Do No Harm.”  She has a B.S. in business and communications from the University of Maryland. Marna lives in La Conner, Washington and serves on the Planning Commission as chair. She volunteers for many things as she wants to be a positive influence for the long term success for future generations.

Teaching Style & Approach

Marna uses props in her yoga classes to aide students in achieving the proper alignment for the poses. The class is taught with each student in mind. She offers several different suggestions on how to do the poses. Marna explains, "I keep in my mind the mantra “'Do no harm.'” 

At the beginning of class, Marna asks students if they have any questions or concerns, and encourages dialogue after the class or by email or phone. She has adapted well to using Zoom to teach classes, and has overcome most obstacles she first encountered teaching online.

Resources

Marna will send out handouts for those who would like them by email.

Useful websites she recommends include:

  • YogaJournal.com
  • verywellfit.com
  • YouTube -- several videos for Chair Yoga Information.

Classes