Vedic Counselor & Musician: Allison Dennis
Inspiring Universal Alignment and Authentic Expression
Allison is a scholar, practitioner, teacher, and healer with over two decades of experience in Vedic and embodied wisdoms. Drawing from a rich background in the performing arts, she brings a unique flair as a storyteller and counselor, coupled with a down to earth warmth that defines her overall approach. Her transformative journey into yoga and Vedic practices was sparked by a debilitating back injury from her time as a performer in the NYC Off-Broadway show De La Guarda. Immobile and seeking solace in her mid 20’s, Allison turned to the yoga philosophy teachings in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, embarking on a path of recovery that laid the foundation for her life to be infused with the wisdom of India’s ancient traditions.
After graduating from The Body Therapy Institute and serving as a massage therapist for a decade, Allison undertook extensive formal yoga training in lineaged programs associated with Swami Sivananda and Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. Subsequently she established Heart of Yoga School in Carrboro, NC. She holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from East Carolina University, and has enjoyed a lifelong dedication to the performing arts.
Her early immersion in the arts ignited within Allison an inclination towards guiding and catalyzing transformation as an act of creative courage and authentic self-expression. Her program "Authentic Self-Expression for Spiritual Practitioners" explores this journey, inviting in creatives and spiritual practitioners alike to concertedly exercise more bravery in life, thereby unlocking your dormant creative potential.
Presently, her research and counseling work lives at the intersection of two disciplines, Jyotisha and Indian Music. Her specialized focus in Jyotisha (Vedic Astrology) is under the mentorship of Steven Highburger and her classical Indian music teacher is sarod master, K. Sridhar. Her innovative program "Nāda Nakșatra Upāsana" teaches techniques for harmonizing emotions through a personalized rāga, or Indian music scale, that is prescribed based on the individual’s natal birth chart, a method taught to Allison by K. Sridhar. The practice is called nāda nakșatra upāsana. It has a unique way of aligning the emotions by way of listening and exploring resonance, and eventually by way of producing the sounds yourself and placing sound in certain areas of the body.
Allison curated an 800 hour Yoga Teacher Training program, overseeing the development and facilitation of 19 distinct teacher training cohorts before gracefully retiring the Veda Vinyasa YTT and AYTT programs and closing her physical school in 2019. Heart of Yoga School stood out for its ability to foster a sense of community, where people engaged in collective journeys of self exploration while embracing the practice of unconditional positive regard towards one another. Treating her community as a sacred space, Allison extended services with a spirit of generosity, offering affordable options, flexible payment plans, and access to transformative experiences that might otherwise remain beyond reach. Heart of Yoga School was also known for its karma yoga program, allowing members of the community to contribute to the school’s daily maintenance in exchange for classes, operating under a donation-based model for many years. She organized a week long Classical Indian Music Festival and organized events for luminaries such as K. Sridhar, Dr. Robert Svoboda, Sharon Gannon, Edwin Bryant, Prem Sadasivananda, and other revered figures. She also led a popular weekly kirtan for five years and now enjoys inspiring others to lead kirtan in their homes and communities in her program “Ocean of Sound”. Her three kirtan albums are here, and her original music collection is here.
Allison chose a mostly nomadic lifestyle in 2016, embarking on journeys both domestically and abroad, traversing the globe as a solo woman and with groups. She's led cultural tours and retreats in India and Bali, and in recent years she has presented with the Telluride Yoga Festival, Grand Valley Yoga Fest, the Stroud Sacred Music Festival in the UK, and at Vaidyagrama Ayurvedic Village in South India.
Originally from NC, Allison has recently moved to Asheville and enjoys live jazz, hiking, and spending time with her puppy Roo. Allison accepted a position as the Vedic Astrologer and Counselor for Sohum Mountain Healing Resort, the panchakarma center affiliate with the Ayurvedic Institute which moved from Albuquerque to Asheville.
Allison possesses the uncommon combination of extraordinary beauty & clarity of singing voice, instrumental prowess, & wide-genre mastery with an ability to transcend social barriers... taken together, she creates an inclusive & educational oasis of love, peace, and oneness.
Dr. Bret Peterson, MD
Yoga Teacher Training Testimonials: 2010 - 2018
To say I have been deeply transformed is an understatement, but I don’t have any other words to express how this experience has shaped and continues to shape me. If you are considering this or any other training with Allison, know that though you are ultimately the sculptor of your own journey, in my humble opinion you could not choose a more confident, gentle guide.
– Ros Schwartz
This course gave me the tools to come into a deeper relationship with myself and others, and provided a beautiful space and supportive community for intensive study and practice. Allison is a passionate and dedicated lifelong student of yoga, who is able to clearly communicate complex topics and hold the necessary space for her students to integrate these ancient teachings in a way that works best for each individual.
~ Holly Schmidt
Studying under Allison’s guidance has been such a rewarding experience. I now have a much better understanding of the science of yoga and a foundation for further study. In addition Allison offered me a safe and nurturing space to develop my practice as a bhakta. No words can express the meaningfulness of adding devotion and song to my life. My great thanks and love to her for opening her school to me.
~ Bret Batman
The depth of study, the laughter, the tears. The strengthening of mind, body & spirit… To be in the company of others with such heart; to be guided by a teacher with such a fine mind, exquisite artistry, and a shining heart. I bow in gratitude.
– Clare Brown
What I appreciated most was the exposure to so many new experiences, and re-exposure to topics of utmost importance and relevance. Never in my life would I have necessarily practiced extensive meditation, a weekend of chanting, a full day of pranayama practices, Indian scales on the harmonium, or deep exploration of Sanskrit in texts like the Bhagavad Gita. All of these practices opened up my mind and my heart to the richness and depth of what “yoga” is and can be. Considering how rigid and isolated the perception of yoga is in this country, the expansion of practices felt deeply rewarding.
Allison showed up every single weekend with a cheerful, kind spirit and immense dedication to sharing all of the wisdom she has gained. Her embodiment of a lifelong yogi, as well as her ability to share with us the enormous gift of her authentic and diverse teachers were of immense value. I felt like I was going back in time – to a time when teachers sat in satsang with their students, teaching through stories and experience and relationship. I feel so grateful for everything I have learned, and for the tradition of yoga that I got to experience through the vehicle of Allison’s teachings.
~ Rita Silver
I enjoyed how held we all were by Allison and by each other as we dove in deep to the many practices and teachings of what is yoga. It was a vigorous journey shared in sweetness with a bright gathering of souls.
~ Kerry Layden
The focus on principles, compassion and self love helped to empower all. It was a truly beautiful experience seeing my self and others bloom with love, joy and confidence. I did not learn a trademark style but a way of life. Allison truly wants everyone to discover their truth, their yoga.
~ Julian Davis
Allison’s training was rigorous, but allowed me to discern my own physical limits, and to find joy and compassion in my body. And her playful yet wise approach to the sacred texts helped me to find my own meaning and wisdom within them. What a wonderful journey!
~ Anne Filiaci
One of the greatest gifts Allison gave us through the training was helping us all cultivate a comfortable and relaxed daily home practice. Also, I think a lot of people question whether or not they want to teach yoga, but feel very drawn to Allison’s teachings. If you are excited about learning yoga from Allison, you will be excited to share yoga with others in some shape or form. I can’t imagine a better setting to learn how to LIVE yoga. It’s a priceless experience, and I feel forever grateful to Allison and my fellow trainees.
~ Jessica Mlotkowski
This has been one of the most blessed and lovely experiences of my life. This yoga teacher training is so unique because of the focus on philosophy. I can certainly say that I have transformed to an individual that is more wonderful and capable than when I started. There is a peace and overwhelming feeling of love that is suddenly present. There is a mindfulness of life and of the earth. I LOVED it.
~ Melissa Hines
I cannot recommend this teaching enough. I was searching for deepening my practice, but was unprepared for deepening my life! Allison’s long and intensive study of yoga is a wealth of information for her students. She has done extensive teacher trainings and brings that wealth of knowledge to us. Combine that with her warm and giving nature, her humor, and her sweet voice and you have the makings of an amazing experience. If you are even thinking about it, take the plunge. It’s wonderful!
~ Cammie Moore Presler
Allison is an example of a true, authentic yogini. She leads by example, as a beautiful yogi, teacher, artist and musician. The YTT is very organized, thorough and focused, yet it moves along in a very calm, playful, flexible manner. Allison translates and teaches from the texts in a way that is easy to follow, yet profound.
~ Andrea Erickson