Aranya, School of Yoga

A letter to all, thank you for reading!

Love & blessings, my friends. You may know there have been some big transformations in the works around these parts.

For over ten years, with the last five months in immersion, I have been in extensive studies on the human brain, ancient depths of yoga, and how they connect for optimal self-healing.

This experience has delivered a broadened view of life, rendering me unable to ignore the need for this understanding globally. I’ve enacted a rather ambitious effort from my tiny corner of the world as an answer to such. If my mission lands on your heart, then I hope to have your support.

As inspired by daily meditations & divine guidance, and in response to the urgent need for change everywhere, I bring to you my contribution toward the effort of global healing & harmony, through an enlightened yogic experience:

Aranya, School of Yoga, Learn Your Limbs

An all-ages elementary school of fundamental yoga, based upon ancient understandings of Yoga’s eight-limb path to Divine love and self-realization. Dedicated to every person who has known the pains of humanity’s ignorance. May Aranya, School of Yoga provide a safe space through which to navigate the complexities of existence with a yogic mind & radiated heart. 

What is Aranya, School of Yoga?

Designed as a learning safe space for the individual motivated toward self-realization, Aranya, Sanskrit for ‘forest,’ is a space of living-yoga, in the working-concept phase. Located in Richmond, VA, Aranya, School of Yoga is a modest living-ashram that hosts private yoga classes of 1-4 in size, educating on all eight limbs of ancient yoga through a practice of embodied living.

Students choose from a list of offerings from physical asana (posture) classes, to yogic philosophy, pranayama (breathwork), and meditation. A consultation is completed & a personalized yoga lesson is prepared according to the students level of experience and area(s) of interest. All classes begin with a personal sage clearing, incorporate various limbs of yogic understanding, and end with reiki healing & a sound bath.*

What will students experience?

Students are encouraged to explore their personal yogic foundation as the body, mind, and spirit are fertilized from the root up, with weekly classes encouraged for maximum growth potential. Each class is private, designed for tension relief, 90-120 min in length, and priced at $111, with reduced & scholarship options available for all.

Additionally, add-on options for personal sauna, specialized reiki, and yoga homework are available. Each students' progress is monitored and communication between classes for accountability and encouragement, is welcome.

How is Aranya different than yoga studios?

The idea behind Aranya is to demonstrate an experience of yogic living, from which one can cultivate their purest intentions in a multi-supported space. Specialized sessions in life path understanding and emotional healing are on offer for the student interested in taking both their personal healing and yoga experience to new heights. 

The space here is magical. Incense burns at sunrise & sunset, as meditations stream from the heart. Flutes, ohms, and bird sounds frequent the sound waves, creating a serene feel for maximum drop-in ability. Large, bright windows adorn the 15-feet walls, streaming a feel of light, expansiveness.

Yoga classes are taught on the backdrop of an exposed brick wall, amongst a small forest of thriving plants.  A space designed for nervous system regulation. Indeed, peace grows here and so does mother’s nature.

How it's going so far...

Many have contributed to the serenity and beauty of this space. Be it by blessing these rooms with their tender energy, gracing the light with plants, or delivering inspirational note cards, read at the end of each class, we are surrounded by love & growth. 

To be able to compile my twenty-one years of yogic training with my extensive education, thereby providing a succinct format to further any heart toward healing, is a gift and an honor. A movement inspired from the root, Aranya called to the depths of my heart to provide a safe space for all and to do so in the name of Yoga.

Aranya has already reached the hearts of many students, with more expressing keen interest in this uniquely personalized yoga experience. With a niche for teens, I am working to take this very concept of living-yoga directly to those at-risk and in need of positive, healthy adult support. 

Notably, several young people are already under the Aranya canopy, studying various topics of interest. It is for them that I have pushed this school into action.

In the works...

Plans to connect to various organizations such as the YMCA, local mentoring groups, and high schools are in the queue for funding. Once established, Aranya, School of Yoga will work to be available when and where the need is great, traveling to after-school programs, arranging transport to/from yoga classes, and making home visits when needed. 

Connections have been made for the organization of free yoga for the homeless, as well as scholarship opportunities for any in need of yogic guidance.

Additional opportunities...

In addition to yoga classes, Aranya will provide opportunities for all to become community involved, seven days a week. With current options in place ranging from “Quick Clean Up,” a walk through the city with stab sticks & trash bags (all items provided), to “Local Laundry,” a service provided for those without the ability to wash their clothes (delivery available), and beyond.

These and many other projects are ready to launch. For additional project details, please reach out, I'm happy to share all!

How you can help..

We are working diligently to establish ourselves as a non-profit healing space. Contributions are an integral piece to bringing this inspired work into the hands of our community. As such, I am seeking startup support in the form of financial contributions, in order to keep the efforts we have ignited afloat. 

All donations provided for the effort of Aranya will be used in the establishment of a firm foundation, from which yoga students may sprout in a supported, understanding environment. Funds will be appropriated to the building of a website, community-service projects, staff salary, continuing education support, grant filing, and an instant scholarship fund for any in need of support.

Thank you for your love, thank you for your support, thank you for your donation.

Please be on the lookout for our grand opening invite, information on our upcoming website, candlelight tours of the ashram, and community based classes.

I love you each purely.

Namaste.

Sandy/Sansa Williams, CYT

*unless otherwise requested