DENESE CAVANAUGH
YOGA THERAPIST
& EDUCATOR
"Yoga is skill in action."
~ The Gita
When we disconnect from our sense of spaciousness, we may experience feelings of imbalance and emptiness. Embracing our sacred selves is a deeply humbling journey. My practice acts as a guiding light, helping you discover your authentic state of being. Healing practices enable us to uncover our true selves and promote overall well-being.
Denese Cavanaugh, ERYT500/CPT/YACEP/Presenter/Advanced Teacher of Therapeutic Yoga, is an international yoga teacher based in Washington, D.C. and founder of Integral Postural Alignment Techniques, better known as The IPATH® Method. She officially began her yoga teaching journey in 1999 in her hometown of New York City and has since gained significant experience in various teaching styles including Ashtanga Vinyasa Primary Series,Iyengar Alignment inspired, Vinyasa Flow, Power Yoga, Restorative, Prenatal, and Kids Yoga.
Denese considers her life’s purpose to change the way people view mental and physical health by educating them about the inter-relationship between yoga, psychology and public health. Denese’s passion for mentoring yoga teachers and improving posture led her to create The IPATH® Method in 2012, a technique that not only eliminates back and body pain, but also helps practitioners transform their posture through hands-free adjustments. Her yoga classes integrate a meditative quality, allowing students to connect with their minds and bodies while exploring renewal and expansion. Her program has grown to offer a 200 and 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training curriculum and a 75 hour IPATH Restorative Yoga curriculum, and since 2019, has also offered a complementary discipline, IPATH Mat Pilates. The IPATH Method is now available in Italy, with plans for expanded to Spain in 2023.
Denese was voted “Best Yoga Teacher” in 2014 and 2015 by the Washington City Paper and even lead numerous private and event yoga sessions with First Lady Michelle Obama. To further her career as a yoga therapist, Denese studies Yoga Therapy from Kripalu Yoga and Health Center and is also currently enrolled in a Yoga Therapy Certification program.
Denese is grateful to her teachers for sharing their experiences, and honored to pass on that generous foundation to her students and community. Through her yoga classes, events,and teacher training programs, she empowers her students with educational, engaging, and accessible practices that help them find joy, balance, and connection in their lives.
Welcome,
My name is Denese Cavanaugh, and my journey with yoga began in 1996, awakening a profound passion for cultivating inner peace-a passion I am dedicated to sharing with others. Inspired by my early experiences, I expanded my yogic awareness through various teacher training programs led by exceptional yoga leaders whose guidance has signigicantly shaped my teaching approach to this day. ~ I am forever grateful.
Today, I pass and share these wisdoms with my own programs, with international teacher training programs, retreats, and yoga therapy sessions, focusing on empowering individuals to overcome chronic pain and conditions once thought insurmountable. I am committed to sharing the transformative power of yoga and excited to support others on their path to wellness.
If you're interested in exploring how we can work together - whether as a client, student, or fellow leader, I invite you to reach out. I look forward to the possibility of connecting with you, with a whole heart.
Yours in wellness,
-Denese
Yoga Therapist
ERYT500/YACEP
Mike Saft,
April 2025
"After almost a year of physical therapy from a cycling accident that led to three fractures in my upper arm, I was left with limited mobility and ongoing pain. My wife, who has benefited greatly from Denese's IPATH yoga practice, encouraged me to give it a try. Initially, it was difficult, but I saw a 2-3 inch improvement in my arm's upward extension, and pain nearly vanished within a few months. Now, I participate in IPATH small group classes and therapeutic sessions online a few times a week, and I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone dealing with physical difficulties or in recovery."
Valerie Brown
May 2025
"I've been practicing IPATH yoga and Pilates through Denese's program for six years and I've noticed significant improvements in both my physical and mental strength. With my annual dexascan, my doctor was astonished see that I had increased my bone density by 7.5% at the age of 74! We have both focused on maintaining bone density and preventing the progression of osteopenia to osteoporosis. While I've exercised my whole life, I've never specifically worked on building neck strength or aligning my spine, which is a unique aspect of IPATH yoga.
Thank you, Denese!"
Anne-Lise Jones
December 2024
" I started working with Denese after my neighbor praised her exceptional attention to detail. I began seeing her around 2012, following unsuccessful attempts with acupuncture. At that time, Denese was just beginning to develop a unique style of yoga focused on postural alignment, now known as IPATH. Since then, she has graduated from Kripalu, and her practice has benefited many of my family and friends. Not only am I free from pain, but she has also aided in my recovery from sports injuries—she's truly a healer!"