Dave "ORFG" Daley
Master of Shenanigans & Tomfoolery

Born and raised in Chicago and currently wandering earth.

Growing up as a swimmer, skater and mountain biker – I was devastated after an ankle and heel break while in the Navy which lead to both a medical discharge and chronic pain in my left heel and ankle due to nerve damage. That change in my walk then effected my knee and finally my lower back, as the years passed by I found myself able to do less and less, fighting multiple personal wars with depression and anxiety disorders.

When in 2018 the spin specialist informed me that my lower back is bad yet not surgical bad. She offered a single piece of wisdom (that at that time I would have no idea how much it was about to change my life), you ask what that nug of truth was!, "Loss weight and strengthen your core!" Two days after that I walked into my first Connected Warriors yoga class. Since that day yoga has brought tremendous relief, healing, strength and balance to my life. I deeply believe in the power of connecting mind, body and vibration through the breath.

I am student yoga teacher (RYT 200) training thought Revival Yoga & Wellness. My teaching style is heavily influenced by longtime teacher Nicole Schneider with whom I study at Revival Yoga & Wellness .  I am also a dedicated student of Jennifer Kloos and receive mentoring from Elizabeth Porter. My classes are creatively fluid with a focus on alignment, balance and play. Yoga philosophy, anatomy, peak poses, props and music are the core of my teaching. While I love to advance in my own physical asana practice, I also crave the stillness of the restorative practice. Life is a balance of the yang and the yin - students will experience the best of both in my classes.

“Never stop learning” is my motto and “Be curious Be playful it is your practice” is a message delivered to students. My curiosity for learning is evident in that no two classes are the same. I constantly seek out teachers and classes to continuously build my skill-sets and increase the yoga toolbox from which I share with my students.

Life is not a game to be won, just to be played, let's make it fun . In my past life, I served in the United States Navy from there went on to cooking for a few years then finally 20 years in global Information Technology, was afforded the opportunity to travel the country installing & maintaining communication networks and equipment. Little did I know, that when deploying cables for networks, my journey would lead me to a path of seeking balance in my own internal network! One reason I am so passionate about helping veterans is that I know firsthand the stress of Service Members and want to share the tool of yoga as a means to live a balanced and healthy lifestyle!

Along with swimming, swim coaching has molded me into the person and teacher that I am today. As a Special Olympics swim coach for 20 years I have had the unique experience of working with and coaching some of the most amazing people on the planet.

I am a strong advocate for veterans and look forward to working with Connected Warriors to empower veterans, service members and family members through free yoga classes.

When I am not practicing, teaching or studying yoga or swimming, I enjoy travel, cooking, gardening, surfing and playing with automation technology or pretty much anything computer or computer like.

​ I am humbled by the opportunity to share space with life and grow and play together.