Welcome!

I’m Deena Odelle Hyatt (aka DeenaOH). I’m a posture specialist, movement coach, and mind body educator currently based in California.

I help people release tension and shift habits so they can carry themselves with greater ease and confidence.

I am a trauma-informed survivor who conquered debilitating chronic pain.

The tools of embodied mindfulness I teach are those that helped me heal and become a stronger, more vibrant person.

Not only did I become a fully functional person without chronic pain, but I also found that I had more control and resonance in my speaking and singing voice. And with that also came more confidence and presentation skills. Bonus! See, I have a long background in the performing arts (as a musician and voice over actor), so this was such an added benefit!

As it turns out, everything is connected.
Mind, body & soul.

Fun facts: I’m a plant nerd and my dog is a supernatural creature.

Favorite forms of self-care:
dancing, singing, walking and wandering, baths, poetry and proprioceptive writing.

How I Conquered Chronic Pain

In 2008 at The University of Texas in Austin, I lost functioning of my right hand and arm.

I struggled through three years of chronic pain, searching and searching for someone to fix me. After countless doctors, experts, physical therapists and even surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, it wasn’t getting any better, in fact, it was only getting worse.

That’s when I discovered The Alexander Technique and Vipassana and found the path back to freedom and vitality, with a renewed sense of playful confidence. It turns out it was always there inside me, to be uncovered. There were just layers of interference that I didn’t now how to remove because I had become so entranced in my habits. I learned that though people could help facilitate my learning (and unlearning), no one could fix me but me.

2008 / 2014: Note the dramatic shift in my shoulder slope, midback, and where my jaw line sits. — **2008 / 2014:** Note the dramatic shift in my shoulder slope, midback,
and where my jaw line sits.

My mission now is to help empower others in their own process of self-discovery, healing, learning and growth.

Certification

I'm an AmSAT, Nationally Certified Teacher. AmSAT™ Teachers train for a minimum of three years (1600 hours).

I have also done advanced studies totaling over 1900 hours of movement and hands-on training.
I received a BA from The University of Texas in English and Education.

Let's Work Together

Podcast

Blog Post

Self Love Is
Self Care

***READ THE ARTICLE***

Testimonials

“Not only is Deena an expert in understanding the mind/body connection, she is an expert in explaining it.

Within weeks of working with her I understood more about my body’s natural state of being and how that relates to my mind than I had learned in my entire adulthood. It was nothing short of life altering. I am grateful everyday for the level of awareness she has been able to share with me.

It has literally changed how I show up and move through the world.”

— Martin Pettis, Therapist & DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

“Deena has such a gentle energy, and also knows how to fill the space with levity and humor when needed.

With an essence of non-judgement, I feel safe, supported and seen.

It’s illuminating to work with Deena and uncover the ways in which each part of my body works in tandem to compensate for the habits I’ve developed. While my knees problems needed to be addressed, I came to realize that my whole body - my feet, my hips, the way I carry my shoulders, all impact the undue stress I hold in my knees.

The work is helping me feel calm, attentive and taller.  Plus, now I can climb stairs without any discomfort or pain! ”

— Tiffanie Lanmon, Graphic Designer & Artist

“As a nurse, my goal to help others sometimes comes at the expense of neglecting my own body, affecting the way I carry myself both mentally and physically.

Through our zoom sessions, Deena’s able to closely identify the habits I’ve subconsciously created that lead to years of chronic discomfort and potential future injuries and teach me how to reset. I’m learning how to self-correct and refresh my body and mind.

I was amazed at how lighter and taller I feel after the first session; I could even breathe easier (which I didn’t even realize was an issue). I still have a lot to learn (and unlearn), but feel confident in Deena’s guidance and expertise. She is truly a master of her craft.”

— Kelli Christian, Nurse: BSN, RN

Vadim before and after his very first session.Read His Case Study HERE — Vadim before and after his very first session.
Read His Case Study HERE

“I always feel lighter and calmer after our sessions.

Overall my posture is completely different.

In my car I had to adjust my rear-view mirror to my real height and many people have noticed something ‘different,’ and that feels good! ”

“I’ve learned how to feel the different parts of my body, while still understanding that movement is governed by a fine tuned orchestration of how all my body parts interact with each other. Importantly, I now focus more on my breathing as the start of tension release.”

— VADIM JUCAUD, SCIENTIST

“Deena’s sessions have been helping me tremendously with my posture and especially with my lower back pain.

She has helped me now through two pregnancies and I’m so grateful for our work.”

— GITTA BARTELT, ARCHITECT

“After my first lesson with Deena I felt taller!
I realized a lot of things I was doing that I never thought about and now I’m going to be thinking about it all the time, when I’m writing, driving, walking.”

— YUMI SAKUMA, Writer

“After working with Deena I feel lighter, optimistic, definitely a higher frequency.

My shoulder is usually chronically in pain, but I have learned how to released that tension. It all takes awareness and intention but I like that I feel myself walking, sitting, and standing upright. .

I had a lot of awareness around the fact that my body is the sum of my experiences, learned behaviors, ancestral patterns, tension patterns—all of it. All my years standing in a club or hustling around as bartender, heartbreaks, feelings of failure, I carry it all with me—but I desperately want to let it go. And I truly feel this process is healing for all of that.

I’m making more conscious choices with my movements and it feels good. I’ve developed tools so I can unwind and re-align on my own and I’m learning how to trust and ‘believe’ in myself.”

— KAYLI STOLLAK: FILM & TV WRITER

“Deena really pulled the veil off for me. I gained so much awareness of habits I didn’t know I had and learned how to release all this tension I had been carrying. I feel grateful to know better how to support and care for myself.

The zoom session was extremely effective, I can’t imagine it being more effective in-person!”

— Lauren Matthews, writer

“Deena is a healer. Period.

With the gentlest touch, her hands are like light sending vibrations to my nervous system, to those tense spots.

I always feel more present, lengthened, free and graceful. ”

— Erin Washington, Actress