Hello there and welcome.  While working on my website redesign and teaching myself new technologies I had the opportunity to revisit newsletters I wrote from when I was a full time yoga, acro and movement teacher.  It's amazing how years later so much of the wisdom from those days is still relevant.  Yoga is a very ancient practice so it makes sense that these lessons still hold true over 11 years later.  If yoga isn't your thing I still hope you enjoy learning about it.  

Anya Arax Yoga Newsletter from January 2011

Seasons greetings and I hope that you all have a very happy new year filled with happiness and peace. As we make the transition from 2010 to 2011 we have the opportunity to reassess our path and let go of the things in our lives which no longer serve us. We have the chance to begin again, bringing all the lessons we have learned to light and we are given the ability to create new patterns in thought and action that can help uplift our spirits to find happiness and bliss.

Like the new year, the practice of yoga gives us the chance to start again every time we step onto our mat. We begin our practice by centering and grounding ourselves, paying attention to our breath and letting go of anything that is not in the moment. We create new patterns and are given a fresh start every time we practice. Through our practice of vinyasa (flowing poses), asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing practices), meditation, chanting and music, and spiritual teachings, yoga can help uplift our spirits and help us realize our true nature, which is happiness and love.

In yogic philosophy, it is believed that we are made up of several Koshas, which are layered like the rings of an onion. In the center of our being is the Anandamaya Kosha (Sanskrit for bliss body) which holds our state of happiness and bliss and is the key to our connection with the divine. Our Anandamaya Kosha is our highest and true self but sometimes we forget about our own divinity. Other Koshas are our intellectual body, emotional body, vital body, and physical body and we often get caught up connecting to these other layers and forget about our true self which can leave us feeling empty inside. Through the practice of yoga we are given the opportunity to tap into our Anandamaya Kosha, finding our true nature which will lead us to the bliss, inner peace, and love that is buried deep within us all.

As we say goodbye to 2010 and welcome 2011 we have the opportunity to embrace our bliss body and truly find joy and meaning in our lives. Each day, each moment is a new beginning and through our yoga practice we have the chance to find our bliss and follow the path of happiness and peace. I wish you many blessings of peace and happiness in the new year and I hope to see you on the mat as we continue our journeys finding our happiness and bliss.

May peace and blessings be with you always,
Anya