Kula Spotlight

What makes your studio or city special? How does the light of Anusara Yoga^® shine in your community? Have some great teachers? Do some great karma yoga in your community? Tell us about it at newsletter@anusara.com.

Our kula spotlight focuses on Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati boasts two Anusara Yoga studios, Shine Yoga in Hyde Park and Grace Yoga Center in Eastgate. Last week, John Friend held a Level One Teacher Training in Cincinnati. The trainees studied all week under the tutelage of Anusara's^® founder, John Friend and senior certifed teacher, Sianna Sherman. Assisting John and Sianna were the local certified teachers Wendy Andersen, Rosanna Juncos, Shalini Latour, Irena Miller, and Jodi Earls, and Jordan Kirk from Scottsdale, Arizona. Karen Berger, one of the Cincinnati kula, attended last week’s training and described this special event for Currents:

"Watching the relationship between John and Sianna was particularly poignant as we all witnessed such honor, such eloquence, and such mutual respect between the two of them. It was a perfect sharing of the teacher's seat, and their combined gifts created a magical environment for learning that will profoundly affect how each of us carries the Anusara Yoga teachings into our classes, our hearts, and our lives."

The week-long training culminated with a weekend workshop co-taught by senior certified teachers Sianna Sherman and Naime Jezzeny and featured live music by Shantala. The Cincinnati area students loved the weekend workshop, according to local yogi Suzanne Aziz:

“The Workshop brought together two admirable teachers, Sianna Shermann and Naime Jezzeny, who led us with their artful subtlety and skill through the most amazing asana sequences. A merry band of musicians, Heather & Benjy Wertheimer, entertained us with their sweet lyrics, and encouraged us with their rhythmic drumming to visit with Shakti as she was sublimely entering the room through the wide open doors of our own hearts.”
 
The yoga community in Cinci is really blossoming into a perfect fullness. Grace Yoga Center founder and certified Anusara Yoga teacher Irena Miller writes:

"Cincinnati is blessed with a strong and supportive kula. Because of this nurturing environment, it is easier to find our own voice and like beautiful butterflies, supported by a strong chrysalis, we rise up triumphantly in the spring, spreading our wings of many colors. All these unique voices and colors come together to create a deep and rich tapestry.  It is a joy to celebrate Anusara Yoga as we rock with Shakti at Grace Yoga Center."