Aurora Transformational Arts

~Ask not what your Body can do for you, but what can you do for your Body~

Begin to see yourself as a Soul with a Body, rather than a Body with a Soul.         ~Wayne Dyer

Health Care Reform begins at Home.....in each and every Heart~   ~Anne Marie

::Yoga=Union::  You are on the same Team as your Body & Soul~

• Promotes Balance, Flexibility, Strength, Focus, Stability, Endurance, and greater Awareness of Breathing and Posture.
• Deeper than those aspects, Yoga helps us understand and live the Mind~Body~Soul connection: we truly are a relational database; intrinsically equipped with Pure Potential, without end or beginning...
• Gently eases Emotional and Mental Stress out of your Body and Mind, enhancing one’s Ability to Relax more Completely and Heal.
• Yoga strengthens all the Glandular Systems of your Body, especially the Immune System.
• Yoga Revitalizes, Cleanses, Energizes, Restores, Activates, Nourishes, Empowers~Neutralizing Stress. 
• Fortifies your Light Body: the Energy Template of your Being
• Balances of Brain Chemistry for natural and sustainble Mood Management and Stabilization.
• Profoundly Improves Quality of Sleep and Depth of Concentration by clearing, calming and centering the Mind.
• Stimulates Personal Growth and Capacities through Awareness, Internal Sensitivity, Clarity and Discernment.
• Cultivates those aforementioned functional assets of your Inner Teacher/Heart/Holiness to Be Present with What Is, and to lovingly utilize strategies when the Mind drifts.
• Yoga is a Journey of Self-Discovery and Transformation, practiced for YOUR Highest Benefit and Intention. 
• An excellent Complement to any physical activity, as well as a Great Beginning. 
• Prevents the need for so many Massages~!  Bodywork from the  Inside > Out is soooo much more effective and empowering. 
• A Tool for Healing various aspects of pain, separation, and discomfort in our Lives, encouraging self-acceptance and forgiveness. 
• With Yoga, the Body~Mind~Heart are freed to enjoy their natural Potential, Harmony, Beauty, and Love.
• Develops patience, compassion, perseverance, understanding. 
• Re-connects us to our Bodies and Purpose, as well as to Others in our Lives, rejuvenating our Birthright of JOY~!
• Yoga is waiting for you to give it an Opportunity to make a reverberating Contribution to your Life~
•  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FtSP-tkSug  is an informative and "I"-opening video by Gil Hedley called "The Fuzz Speech", explaining the importance of movement and stretching to maintain the flexibility of the tissues of the body.  Fuzz never sleeps~!

Yoga begins with willingness, curiosity, desire, (and often a modicum of courage) - then meets and embraces you wherever you are.....An Ancient Art and Science brought to Life with every deliberate Breath, Thought, and Movement ~ a personalized and Living Blessing~:~

Transformational Yoga is a powerful Soul-Sparking Opportunity for profound Transformation through Self~Empowerment, Discovery, and Illumination ~ for expanding the possibilities in your Life as you free yourSelf from all levels of illusions and limitations~Freeing the Range of Motion and Potential of your Mind, Body, Heart and Soul, enhancing every beautiful possibility in your Life~~~Together we cultivate the Yes! in our Breathing, Bodies, Minds, & Hearts....then our Spirits and Lives blossom and thrive~!

Transformational Yoga is my eclectic, intuitive synthesis of primarily Hatha Yoga, incorporating Grace-filled Slow Flow with sustained Surrender, encouraging your Body’s innate Wisdom and steadfast Breathing to flourish & guide you to Freedom.  My Spirited Intention is to cultivate a Moving Meditation within an Inspiring, non-competitive environment, conducive to dissolution of illusions and limitations:  a "work-in" rather than a "work-out".  Kundalini, Gentle Vinyasa, and LifeForce Yoga along with other interpretations of Hatha Yoga may appear in our practice of Presence and Mindfulness.....intuitively seasoned with Pranayama (prescriptive breathing), Mudra (yoga for the hands), Mantra (vocalized sound current), Liberating Movement - all in preparation for Meditation (the jewel of the Practice), punctuated by a luxurious Savasana (ending relaxation) serenaded by the mighty yet gentle Symphonic Gong.  (please explore Sonic Alchemy)   

I honor the Individual with a supportive, enjoyable, uplifting, and practical approach to encourage attainable~sustainable integration of Yoga into one’s Life.  All levels of ability and familiarity can practice and benefit from Transformational Yoga, utilizing a basic tenet from Karl Marx: "....From each according to his ability; to each according to his need...".  There is Space for Everyone in the Infinitely malleable practice of Yoga.  My Heart sings when someone, after reporting their substantial challenges - physical or otherwise - comes to Yoga with Hope, Courage, and Dedication for Transformation....compassionately modifying the practice in response to their Inner Guidance.  As many have said before me, there is no singular destination in Yoga; it is always a gateway to more within you in communion with pure Potential.  The ideal of "perfection" is living each moment as an expression of your available Excellence.  John Friend shares this fundamental principle for manifesting meaningful change: "Consistency over time with Devotion”.  Yoga is a dynamic, potent, and empowering tool to nurture a loving, creative partnership with and respect for the wisdom of the Body and your Inner Teacher ~ the Journey is as unique as you are~~~

.....but....I don't teach Yoga.....Yoga teaches me~!~

During your session, you are skillfully guided through a Heartful, appropriate series of movements (postures or asanas>ahsuhnuhs), attending to basic components of healthy alignment, offering modifications or alternatives when beneficial without suffocating the Spirit of your experience.  These asanas have Sanskrit names (the language of Yoga), but I also speak them in English.  (E.g: Triangle/Trikonasana) Throughout our practice, I employ therapeutic repetition and extension of asana and kriya - this strengthens the nerves, promotes neuromuscular re-patterning, and trains the Mind as it purges our Beings of samskaras, mental, emotional, & physical residues and associated limitations....to tap into who you truly are....beyond sensation and duality.  We maintain a flexible pace and consistent depth that is comfortable and steady for you:  Grace-filled Effort balanced with sweet yet sturdy Surrender; giving with sincerity and humility that which we wish to receive: ~Freedom~                                                                                                                                                  Yoga is an amazing tool of self-reflective Metaphor and Intention - which we utilize throughout our practice as a Living Laboratory of safe exploration, meditation, revelation, and identification with our True Identity as a Spiritual Being within a human experience.  I am dedicated to giving useful, Inspired assistance in support of your awareness, whole-ness and deep Well of Being for a fulfilling & dynamic experience of your Soul-Guided Life~~it just feels GOOD to be pro-active on behalf of yourSelf...to Love, Care for, and reveal your Precious Being through Yoga, feeling more Connected to and Conscious of its Miraculously dimensional design and function. 

The Body & Soul have very different ideas of 'success' than what the Mind often does!

A few suggestions for comfort and efficacy: non-restrictive, non-annoying clothing; a yoga mat (or 2 for superior cushioning), water, a towel and perhaps a blanket; clean bare feet, and a well-hydrated body that enjoyed a nourishing meal 2-3 hours before your session.  Through your practice of yoga, you may discover the benefits of additional proppage: blocks, straps, multiple blankets, eye pillows, etc....necessity is the Mother of compassionate invention and modification...and Transformation~  

Typically, a Yoga class lasts 1 - 1.5 hours (those who have practiced with me are laughing), but please don't think that any less is not worthwhile~If all you can spare is 5 minutes, then with all means available:  YOGA~!!   Your Being will sparkle with your offering of Love & Care, no matter if abbreviated~Yoga gives back SOOO much more than it ever takes from you or your schedule~(if you need an external spark to kindle a blaze of Transformation, imagine Chariots of Fire, Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries, Beethoven's 7th -II, Johnny Cash's I Walk the Line, PeeWee Herman doing his Tequila Yoga; or the calming and soothing end of the spectrum, or the wonderful Sounds of Nature, or into the deep yummmm of Silence.....).

Please enjoy a short savasana to www.transformationalyogaforyou.com  which includes a small serving of encouragement for Inspired Inspiration.

Central Texas has a diverse wealth of teachers, studios and styles of Yoga.  www.austinyogateachers.com is a handy directory to assist in your search for a suitable and experienced facilitator.The Universe is very interested in your Transformation.....

Anne Marie's Yoga Trainings and Immersions

Living Yoga Teacher Training Program

Integrative Restoration (Yoga Nidra) Training with Richard Miller

LifeForce Yoga for Depression and Anxiety; Practitioner Trainings with Amy Weintraub

Relax and Renew Restorative Yoga Training with Judith Lasater

Structural Yoga Therapy Immersion with Mukunda Stiles

Power Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Trainings with Baron Baptiste

Anusara Yoga Immersions with John Friend

Yin Yoga with Paul Grilley

Structural Yoga Therapy and Beyond with Gary Kraftsow

Shiatsu Module at New Beginnings Massage School

www.StreetYoga.com Accessible Yoga for At-Risk and Underserved Populations

Teaching Yoga as it teaches me~

Weekend Workshop Highlights

Leslie Kaminoff - The Anatomy of Breathing

Ramanand Patel and Pandit Mukesh Desai

Gurucharan Singh Khalsa and Siri Bahadur 

Kundalini and Gong Workshops at Yoga Yoga

Gurmurkh and Gurushabd Kaur Khalsa

Erich Schiffman, Nischala Joy Devi, Donna Farhi

Sally Kempton and Joan Borysenko, Shiva Rea, Seane Corn

Rod Stryker: Practices to Harness Transformative Energies

Qi Gong with Dr. Jamie Wu

Mantra Series with Craig Williams

• Increases Flexibility, Receptivity and Pliability of Muscles & Connective Tissues.
• Stimulates Blood and Lymphatic Circulation.
• Improves Muscle Tone, Recovery, & Mobility.
• Recharges your Vitality, Immunity & Precious Energy.
• Promotes Relaxation and Positive sense of Well-Being and Mood, reducing stress and anxiety by Calming the Nervous system.
• Restores your Comfort, Tranquility & Better Angel of your Nature.
• Massage prepares the Body for a deeper, more satisfying Sleeping experience.
• Strengthens the Immune, Glandular, and Respiratory Systems of the Body.
• All of the above Enhances Skin Tone by expediting Cellular Renewal and Removal of metabolic wastes.
• Relieves headaches from neck, shoulder, face and jaw tension.
• Improves Nerve Function by Relaxing chronically tense muscles that may compromise the flow of energy in areas of the Body.
• Expedites Muscle Recovery from your Fitness or Life Routines. 
• Accelerates the dissolution of adhesions and scar tissue, amending myofascial restriction caused by trauma, poor posture, shallow breathing, or under-utilized range of motion.
• Assists in rehabilitating trust and body acceptance from traumatic experiences in a safe, supportive, nurturing Environment.
• Even without active issues in the Body, Massage is an excellent exercise in the sometimes challenging Art of Receiving.

Transformational Therapeutic Massage sessions are tailored to accommodate your current needs and preferences. “Therapeutic” is deeply personal and mercurial: in the Being and intention of the Beholder.  With every visit, we take the time to connect to co-create a satisfying and successful session for your Being du Jour ~~ respectfully regarding you dimensionally, beyond just a physical "body".

My unique Heart-ful Swedish-based Massage gravitates towards a profoundly relaxing, compassionately effective palette of "pressure"- yet deeper than just 'tissue' - for dimensional cohesion and connection rather than dissection.  This approach allows your Nervous System to calm itself and trust the Experience…with a reverant, soothing pace in contrast to the one you live.....reviving your Spirit and awakening Healing Energy......encouraging the liberation of persistent tension and discomfort ~ renewing your Excellence and Continuumn of Body, Mind, & Spirit.

Relaxation is Therapeutic; a Necessity in our Culture, not mere Luxury~

I offer a spectrum of understanding of the Body*Mind*Senses*Spirit relationship in support of a satisfied Nervous System & Energetic Anatomy for amplifying your Vitality and functional Wellness.  My formal Training for 2001 initial and current Texas Licensure was from Lauterstein-Conway Massage School in Austin, collating prior studies of Anatomy and Physiology while accessorizing with Continuing Education......but any Massage Therapist will tell you: one learns the most in the ongoing and ever-fascinating application of the Art form.  Practicing and teaching Yoga has provided very useful  insights for an intimate, wholistic understanding of the Body and how best to serve it through Massage. 

I warmly invite you to experience the restorative, nourishing power of HeartSent Touch in the unique comfort of peaceful, non-commercial, Conscious surroundings which magnify the therapeutic intention and effects of your Massage......further enhanced with a relaxing and refreshing Foot Soak to begin: a large Copper Bowl filled with healing stones, essential oils, epsom salt and warm water.  This valuable time multiplies the dimensional benefits of the Massage; first by providing a neutralizing zone between your world and the Massage, expediting the requisite return of your Nervous System to its Rejuvenating Parasympathetic functions.  Additionally, your awareness is invited back to your miraculous Body, calming the busy-ness of the thinking Mind and soothing your Operating Systems....creating a far more receptive state of Relaxation for your arrival on the generously cushioned Massage Table within my very special Massage Sanctuary.  Stretching is not incorporated into your Massage, as a matter of safety and supporting the development of your own relationship with your Body.....empowering rather than enabling: applying the principle of "Give someone a fish, they eat for a day....Teach them to fish and they eat for a Lifetime."  I am happy to make Therapeutic Yoga suggestions or you may wish to schedule a private Transformational Yoga session should you choose to experience the suggestions with guidance.

Drinking additional water before and after your Massage supports the efficacy of the Bodywork, as well as scheduling Heartfully to make the most of your investment of time and money.  I use a very high quality blend of natural oils to which the Body is very receptive - still, choose your clothing accordingly, as some residual oil may remain on the skin. (avoid medium to dark solid oxford fabrics)  Treating yourself with a warm epsom salt Bath later the same day supports the cellular cleansing action of the Massage~