Marsha D. Banks-Harold, Director of IAYT accredited holistic yoga therapy training program and YA 200 and 300 hour yoga teacher training programs, Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator (TCTSY-F), E-RYT 500, YACEP, RPYT, RCYT, BSEE and owner of PIES Fitness Yoga Studio, is an intuitive leader called to empower clients to fortify one’s strength of awesomeness; to learn to rely on one’s authentic self; and to cultivate everlasting physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual (PIES) peace. Marsha is the creator of the flagship yoga class My Body Don’t Bend That Way designed for clients who don’t believe they are flexible enough for yoga, who are afraid to get onto the floor, who are living with physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual pains or those who have restricted range of motion. She thrives in creating a supportive, inclusive, diverse, adaptive and accessible yoga and yoga education experience for all. Marsha, a wife of 29 years, is a mother to two sons and a legal guardian to two additional sons thriving after early childhood complex trauma. She also works as an electrical engineer and serves as an officer in her church. Marsha’s passion in life is serving those impacted by trauma, those living with special needs and conditions, special population clients and those seeking lifestyle management guidance.
Marsha works privately and in small groups with clients impacted by complex and microaggressive trauma; clients seeking adaptive and accessible yoga; clients of historically marginalized groups; clients impacted by body image, inclusivity, diversity, intersectionality and social justice concerns; and special needs children and adults living with physical, sensory, cognitive, intellectual or mental impairments including ADD/ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, executive functioning disorder and down syndrome. In addition, she works with special populations including trailblazers, intimidated beginners, seniors, stroke survivors and clients living with cancer, Parkinson’s, insomnia, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and joint replacements.
She finds much joy in offering yoga teacher and yoga therapy trainings and workshops that empower everyone to reach one’s true potential while being true to one’s authentic self. Marsha has presented at the Smithsonian on yoga education for the aging population and yoga as lifestyle science for stroke survivors. She is also published in various yoga journals: building the business of yoga and has facilitated what is yoga for the black rock organization. Marsha was also featured on Aging Matters TV show as an expert on yoga education for the aging population. She is an active member in IAYT and serves as a member of the Alexandria Wellness Group, Black Yoga Teachers Alliance (BYTA) and Yoga Alliance (YA).
The transformation that occurred for Marsha during her initial 200-hour yoga teacher training program fortifies her quest to continue to share the powerful transforming benefits of balancing one’s life physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually (PIES) based on the integration of yogic philosophy, anatomy and physiology, and psychology foundations and the lifestyle components of yoga in order to serve everyone.
Marsha’s legacy is built on serving trauma survivors, trailblazers, those living with special needs and conditions, the aging population, those new to yoga and those seeking lifestyle coaching. Marsha blossoms in creating supportive, inclusive, diverse, adaptive and accessible yoga and yoga education experiences for all.
Learn more about Marsha here: www.piesfitnessyoga.com