Where did You Can Do It Yoga For MS™ come from?

In 2000 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I had many symptoms prior to my diagnosis. My feet and legs were tingling and numb. I couldn’t walk, run or stand without support. I was in bad shape. I got on a therapy and then a friend told me that I should try yoga. I had no idea what yoga was. I was very self conscious since I couldn’t move well on my own. I was not sure if I would be able to practice yoga because I was so tired all the time. I decided to give it a try. I attended a gentle yoga class where I met Denise, my first yoga instructor.  Denise had been practicing yoga for a few years and had just completed her certification at the Integral Yoga Institute in New York City.  She was teaching her “first official yoga class” on the day we met.  I hobbled into her class with my cane, sat on my mat, and there our friendship and journey began.  This was the birth of You Can Do It Yoga For MS™.

I attended Denise’s gentle yoga class twice a week. I began to see and feel the difference that a regular yoga practice was making against my battle with MS.  Denise noticed the changes as well; improved muscle strength, increased balance, concentration, improved breathing and hope. Eventually I got rid of my cane, could stand up on my own, and felt great.

One day after class, I discussed the idea of attending the Teacher Training at the Integral Yoga Institute. Denise encouraged me to do so.  I got my teaching certification there and decided that I needed to get the word out that yoga helped me with my MS symptoms! So together, Denise and I have designed this DVD series to spread the good news that yoga could help with MS symptoms. I am living proof!

Larissa Nusser

“Being happy every day can give you the power to transform your life.”

Larissa Nusser is a Motivational Speaker, Certified Yoga Instructor with Integral Yoga and Yoga Alliance, and a Certified Life Coach with Coach Training Alliance. She is also a Certified Laughing Yoga Instructor through the American Academy of Laughing Yoga. Recently, she became an Ericksonian Hypnosis Practitioner with the NLP Center of New York. She is also an MS Advocate with Shared Solutions. She works with people with MS on creating balance in their lives by incorporating yoga and coaching.

After being diagnosed with MS in 2000, Larissa attended Integral Yoga of Princeton and earned her 200-hour certification to teach yoga. She is qualified to teach all levels ranging from Chair Yoga to Advanced Yoga, as well as Laughing Yoga.

Beyond managing a full-time career, Larissa, mother of two, also shares empowerment and encouragement to other MS patients across the country through her many speaking engagements. In 2010 Larissa was the keynote speaker at the WAMS Lunchoen in Scottsdale AZ, and in 2011 she was the keynote for the Memphis, TN WAMS Lunchoen. In 2009 and 2010, Larissa had the honor of being the start line speaker at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s (NMSS) Staten Island MS Walk. “I would love to see people get moving and be the catalyst that starts them on the road to transforming their life!” Larissa hopes she continues finding something everyday that makes her happy, so she can provide motivation for others with MS who may benefit from seeing her as an example in action.

Larissa is the co-creator of You Can Do It Yoga for MS™ a yoga training class for people with MS. She has two You Can Do It Yoga For MS™ DVD’s which are at home instructional videos. Larissa and her co-creator, Denise Nizzare, have also designed an associated yoga teacher training to go along with the You Can Do It Yoga For MS™ Class so that other teachers may be able to teach patients with MS.

Currently, Larissa and Denise are working on a third You Can Do It Yoga For MS™ DVD. Additionally, Larissa is currently working on a book documenting her journey with MS.

Larissa is a former "foodie" who owned Today's Gourmet, a specialty food business that was featured on Food TV's Food Finds. She still enjoys "scaled down" cooking for her family.

Denise Danton-Nizzare

Denise Danton-Nizzare is a certified Yoga Instructor with Integral Yoga and Yoga Alliance. She is also a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader with the American School of Laughter Yoga and an Ericksonian Hypnosis Practitioner with the NLP Center of New York. She teaches at several yoga studios on Staten Island including the New York City Parks Department of Recreation, and also offers private instruction. She is qualified to teach all levels of yoga ranging from chair yoga to advanced yoga including hot vinyasa flow and laughing yoga.

Denise is the co-creator of You Can Do It Yoga for MS™ a yoga training class for people with MS. She has two You Can Do It Yoga For MS™ DVD’s which are at home instructional videos. Denise and her co-creator, Larissa Nusser, have also designed an associated yoga teacher training to go along with the You Can Do It Yoga For MS™ Class so that other teachers may be able to teach patients with MS.

Currently, Denise and Larissa are working on a third You Can Do It Yoga For MS™ DVD.  

Denise is on the Board of Directors of Amethyst House which is a halfway house for women suffering from alcoholism and substance abuse. She volunteers her time to instruct the residents of the house in the philosophy and practice of yoga to empower them in their battle against addiction. In addition, Denise is also an avid fundraiser for the House as the Journal Chairperson at their annual fundraising luncheon.

A yoga practioner since 1997, Denise is committed to sharing her experience of yoga with others so that they may too experience a happy, healthy and purposeful life.