Message From Mary
Welcome, Fellow Adventurer in Yoga:
Yoga, from the Sanskrit root “yuj” means yoke, to unify. Its ultimate goal is reuniting us with who we truly are. The path may be surprising and unpredictable, but always exciting, if we see it and acknowledge it as such, if we follow it with courage, curiosity, and a smidgeon of faith both in ourselves and in the Source that calls to us.
“ISHTA” means individual in Sanskrit. I honor each individual’s path, using all the tools that all the Gurus have given us over these 6,000 years and more, from every lineage I’ve had the fortune to encounter and continue to encounter.
Yes, this encompasses asana and pranayama. Also mantra and other use of nada, the yoga of sound, and bhakti, devotional yoga. It includes yantra and chakras, tantra and ayurveda, yamas and niyamas.
Yes, it pulls on Pilates core work, functional strength training, yin yoga stretch and Iyengar alignment principles.
Yes, it draws on kriya purifications, soothing Restorative yoga, and meditation from many traditions. It is informed by the metta, lovingkindness, of Thai Yoga bodywork, and the confidence and power of AcroYoga.
Whew, yes. Yet there is no rush or hurry. No timeline except to never cease evolving. “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~ Lao Tzu
Wherever we are on the mountainside, the view is glorious and forever changing. As for the pinnacle, where we shall see when we arrive the panoramic view of all the trails we have trod laid out as a map before us, and laugh quietly at how long it took us and what adventures we had ... well, why hurry? Why be in a rush to cease the journey? We are all bound to reach it. Meet you at the sweet scenic sites on our way!
About Mary:
Mary Aranas is 500-hour E-RYT in the ISHTA tradition (Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra and Ayurveda), and a Certified Yoga Therapist. Coming from a theater arts background, Mary was 500-hour certified in 2002 by 2nd generation ISHTA YogiRaj Alan Finger. Mary has taught Yoga full-time since 2002: in studios, health clubs, retreats, corporate classes, teacher trainings, festivals, Immersions, and privately. She has a balance of joyful specialties, including Vinyasa, Restorative, Hatha, Meditation, Yoga Nidra, Reiki, AcroYoga, Thai Bodywork and Slackline Yoga.
Mary teaches weekly at Pure Yoga and Cosmic Fit Club in New York, plus workshops, retreats, immersions, and privates, in Yoga, Thai, Restorative, AcroYoga, per each client’s “ishta” or individual needs. Mary lives in New York City with her husband Raul and their son Raphael.
Respect and gratitude: ISHTA YogiRaj Alan Finger, and teachers Sarah Finger, Rachel Zinman, Beverley Murphy, Jean Koerner. AcroYoga International teachers Jason Nemer, Jenny Sauer-Klein, SeattleLux. Thai Yoga guru Jenn Yarro. Restorative teachers Rita Comiskey, Jillian Pransky, Judith Lasater. YogaSlackers Jason & Chelsey Magness, Adi Carter, Dan Norgard, Sam Salwei. All my students at every session, so patient about my challenges with names! My mamas: Mom, Louise, Judy, Betsy, Lisa, and my yogini goddess sister tribe. My authors/spiritual teachers: C.S. Lewis, Paramahansa Yogananda, Marshall Rosenberg, Marianne Williamson, Louise Hay, Neville Goddard, Regena Thomashauer, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Tosha Silver. Lisa Ludovici, Abraham-Hicks, Brené Brown. Om shanti shanti shanti!!!!