Anasa Yoga

I first met Zola at a wellness conference for Black womxn. She was showcasing her new baby, Anasa Yoga, and I was offering Thai massage. I immediately felt a co...nnection to Zola (her sparkle and dedication to accessible Yoga) and Anasa--a community centered studio in East Oakland, founded by Black womxn, and environmentally conscious. I soon met Anasa's other co-founder, Jean Marie, and felt immediately at home with her gentle, kind, joyful presence. Up until Anasa, most Yoga studios (owned by white folks) either never gave me a chance to demo or offered me the worst spots on the schedule. At Anasa the values where different: having Black, Brown, Queer and Trans teachers was seen as vital. I was offered a thriving wage and prime time slot. The community here was different too. I was used to teaching mostly white, thin, able-bodied, cis-women in their 20s and 30s. I was used to their needs being centered. Here was like Oakland itself--bodies of many sizes, folks of different genders, folks of all ages and races. At Anasa I grew as a teacher because I connected to the community, I saw myself in the community and felt like I could be my most authentic self. Over the years, in this truly special place we've laughed, sweat, and shared meals (and poses!) together. We've celebrated each others' triumphs and milestones and held each other through the losses, uncertainty, and breakdowns. To each and everyone of you who've come to Anasa over 7 years I thank you from the depths of my being. Through your commitment to your own healing and liberation, you've uplifted others. You've said YES to Black womxn leadership and living wages for Yoga teachers. You've said YES to a space that strives to include everyone. For me the generosity, steadfast, and commitment from Zola, Jean Marie, and Gaia is a debt I can't repay. I am holding this closing of Anasa so tenderly and with an outpouring of gratitude to have had these 7 years together. I hope you can join me for the last week of classes and the closing ceremony led by Zenju Earthlyn Manuel on Sunday. Register @ anasaoakland.com Beginning in January I will continue to offer my Tuesday and Saturday classes at their usual times through my new website: soulflowoakland.com See more

Dear Zola & Jean Marie - Thank you for providing a peaceful, safe place to heal and grow. I will miss you and the wonderful teachers and fellow students I met o...ver the years. It is hard to imagine that your warm caring generous spirits will not be available at the studio. I am sad, but count myself truly blessed for having crossed the threshold at Anasa Yoga. You both deserve the very best life offers. I wish you a wonderful next adventure. Love & Joy, Carol Marie See more

With love from @blissfulbyoga So many blessed #prenatalyoga classes @anasayoga as well as #bellydancingmamas and we will continue to make memories...just in other spaces join us today 1130A PST for Prenatal (postpartum mamas welcomed also) :::::: And its Shine Your Light Sunday for 2 weeks!! so we will have a birth at the end of class (1230P) TODAY with new mama of 1 @gobstickle and NEXT Sunday (last #anasayoga class) we will have mama of 2 and #blissfulbodies Pregnant Mama model for life @flydeerich

The last Anasa Yoga training of 2020 is the Japanese healing energy of Reiki Ashley Ramos will lead Usui Reiki 1 Attunement & Training Reiki is a Japanese energy healing modality founded by Mikao Usui in the 1920s. It means universal life force. Usui Reiki Level 1 Attunement & Training opens our energetic pathways to be able to connect & channel the Reiki energy, deepening our self-awareness and connection. Here, you will learn what Reiki is, what this energy healing can... do, and how to give Reiki to yourself and others. In addition to being a Usui Reiki Master she is registered nurse, and a Qoya teacher. After the attunement, the student will receive a certificate of completion and will be considered as a Reiki level 1 healer/practitioner. Saturday, Dec. 12 10:00am - 3:30pm (PST via Zoom) $200 - training fee #anasayoga #laureldistrict #laureldistrictoakland #reikihealing #reiki #reikienergy #reikihealer #healingenergy #healingjourney #yogainspiration #reikiattunement #reikiattunements #trysomethingnew

A message full of love from @ameliasyoga Working at @anasayoga has been life changing. Jean Marie and Zola have so intensionally worked to create such an incredible community, a place where everyone is welcomed, loved, and honored. I am feeling sad at their closing and simultaneously so happy for them in their retirement. It is beautiful to see two Black women choosing to retire on their own terms and in their own time. I am so hopeful that us yoga teachers will continue ...to carry on their legacy of access and equity in yoga and wellness in the Bay Area. It is an honor to have worked at @anasayoga Join me in my last few classes with them. Saturday we will be working with playful balance and hip work. Come try a whole new take on half moon pose with me! 7:30-8:30am I am so going to miss this mural #love

#kamalaharris2020 #kamalaharris #blackgirlmagic #anasayoga #womensupportingwomen #yogainspiration #blackwomenowned

Breathe..... #anasayoga #laureldistrict #oaklandyoga #eastbayyoga #yogainspiration #oaklandlove #oakland #yoga #blackwomenowed #eastoakland #laureldistrictoakland #dimond #fruitvale #millscollege

Peace with Impermanence: A closing Ceremony with Zenju Earthlyn Manuel With a mix of tears, appreciation, and anticipation, Jean Marie and Zola are retiring from managing Anasa Yoga at the end of this year and invite you to join us in this special gathering on our last day of classes Sunday,12/20 3-4:30pm We are honored to have our dear friend, poet, author, and Zen Buddhist priest, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, guide us in this closing ritual as we surrender to the end of an incredible seven years of community. Join us and share your thoughts and memories of building this beloved community to help ensure that the legacy of Anasa Yoga lives on. #anasayoga #zenjuearthlynmanuel #yogainspiration #legacy #blackwomenowned

Do you need inspiration to begin or discover your own unique healing journey? No doubt this will go down In history as an era of a lot of hurt and trauma.. Would it benefit you to join an online community that will meet 1x a week for 60 minutes for 4 weeks? If you want to be inspired to support your healing or begin your own unique healing journey join us for online book club read, The Healing: One’s Woman’s Journey from Poverty to Inner Riches, with author, Saeeda Hafiz. ...Saeeda will be sharing her knowledge, skills, setbacks and joys of her own healing journey in hopes that it inspires you to find your own or write your memoir 4-Week Book Club GatheringMondays Nov. 9, 16, 23, 307:00 - 8:00pm PST Suggested donation $0 - $10 for all sessions plus "The Healing" purchased directly from Saeeda #anasayoga #thehealing #laureldistrict #laureldistrictoakland #yogainspiration #inspiration #memoirinspiration #memoir #l#blackauthors #blackwomenauthors #blackbookclubs #bookclubs #healingjourney

Pre-reg for Zoom link...$0-$20 donation. Tonight 6pm! with @soulflowoakland Join me and the Anasa community tomorrow 6-8 pm to take a sacred pause in all this uncertainty. We will lean into our own vulnerability and bear witness to each other--whether there is deep suffering, compassion, or jubilation. Register @anasayoga or anasaoakland.com #traumahealing #traumainformedyoga #oaklandyoga

From @blissfulbyoga ~ Soo many sweet memories made at @anasayoga yoga and so grateful for all the goddesses that have joined me over the last 5 years, like @flydeerich , an Anasa student who recently had baby #2hopefully we can hear her birth experience soon, but tomorrow we will have first-time mama @gobstickle join us to share the wonder, the woes and profound wisdom that comes along with new parenthood. TOMORROW 11:30A PST @anasayoga REGISTER: www.anasaOakkand.com

Starts Monday night with @saeedahafiz. Pre register at www.anasaoakland.com #AnasaOaklandYoga #BookClubwiththeAuthor #WhiteAllyShip... #HolisticHealthHustle #HolisticHealthHustler #TheHealing #FoodandYoga #OneWomansJourneyFromPovertytoInnerRiches #SaeedaHafiz #gratitude #Yoga #PresentMoment #Saeeda #Holistic Yoga and Nutrition See more

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing modality founded by Mikao Usui in the 1920s. It means universal life force. Usui Reiki Level 1 Attunement & Training opens our energetic pathways to be able to connect & channel the Reiki energy, deepening our self-awareness and connection. Here, you will learn what Reiki is, what this energy healing can do, and how to give Reiki to yourself and others. In addition to being a Usui Reiki Master she is registered nurse, and a Qoya teacher. Aft...er the attunement, the student will receive a certificate of completion and will be considered as a Reiki level 1 healer/practitioner. Saturday, Dec. 12 10:00am - 3:30pm (PST via Zoom) $180 - early bird training fee through Dec. 5 $200 - training fee after Dec 5 #anasayoga #laureldistrict #laureldistrictoakland #reikihealing #reiki #reikienergy #reikihealer #yogainspiration #reikiattunement #reikiattunements #trysomethingnew

Usui Reiki Level 1 Attunement & Training with Ashley Ramos * Reiki is a Japanese energy healing modality founded by Mikao Usui in the 1920s. It means universal life force. Usui Reiki Level 1 Attunement & Training opens our energetic pathways to be able to connect & channel the Reiki energy, deepening our self-awareness and connection. Here, you will learn what Reiki is, what this energy healing can do, and how to give Reiki to yourself and others. In addition to being a U...sui Reiki Master she is registered nurse, and a Qoya teacher. After the attunement, the student will receive a certificate of completion and will be considered as a Reiki level 1 healer/practitioner. Saturday, Dec. 12 10:00am - 3:30pm (PST via Zoom) $180 - early bird training fee through Dec. 5 $200 - training fee after Dec. hey#anasayoga #laureldistrict #laureldistrictoakland #reikihealing #reiki #reikienergy #reikihealer #yogainspiration #reikiattunement #reikiattunements #trysomethingnew

Yoga For Your Cyclewith Sita We live in a society designed mostly for and by non-menstruating bodies, so honoring our cycles is a radical paradigm shift that the world desperately needs. For those of us who menstruate, our menstrual cycle is happening all the time - not just during the days of bleeding. But very few of us are taught to be aware of how each phase of the cycle brings distinct physiological changes, needs, energy, feelings, and subtle (or not so subtle!) quali...ties. Join Sita to learn how to adapt your yoga practice for your unique needs during each phase of your menstrual cycle. In the workshop we will learn about key physiological and energetic shifts during each of the four main phases of the menstrual cycle. Through journaling, partner and group conversations, we will reflect on our unique lived experiences of each phase, and learn poses and practices to meet our needs throughout the cycle. Workshop open to menstruating and menstruation-curious people of all genders. Sunday, December 6 1:00 - 3:00pm (PST via Zoom) $30 early bird registration $40 after Nov. 28* * * #anasayoga #laureldistrict #laureldistrictoakland #yoga #menstruation #menstruationcycle #menstruationeducation #yogainspiration #womenshealth

So happy to see our friends and neighboring businesses getting ready for the Holidays. Please check them out and support #OaklandLocal!

Repost from @coribush The First Congratulations to Cori Bush nurse, pastor, single mom and Ferguson-made activist to be the 1st Missouri Black woman to be elected to Congress! *... * #anasayoga #yogainspiration #blacklivesmatter #change #historymaking #blackwomenowned #blackgirlmagic #herstoryinthemaking #yogaandsocialjustice #socialchange See more

Yoga For Your Menstrual Cycle Join Sita this Sunday 12/6 to learn how to adapt your yoga practice for your unique needs during each phase of your menstrual cycle. In the workshop you will learn about key physiological and energetic shifts during each of the four main phases of the menstrual cycle. Through journaling, partner and group conversations, we will reflect on our unique lived experiences of each phase, and learn poses and practices to meet our needs throughout... the cycle. Workshop open to menstruating and menstruation-curious people of all genders. Sunday, December 6 1:00 - 3:00pm (PST via Zoom) $40 #anasayoga #laureldistrict #womenshealth #laureldistrictoakland #yoga #menstruation #menstruationcycle #menstruationeducation #yogainspiration #womenshealth #blackbayarea #yogaformenstruation

My dear friends: Your vote is precious, almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have to create a more perfect union. John Lewis2012 speech in Charlotte, North Carolina #anasayoga #oaklandyoga #eastbayyoga #laureldistrict #oakland #eastoakland #yogainspiration #antiblackness #vote2020 #vote #blacklivesmatter #yoga #vote2020 #oaklandlove #letsdothis

What is Reiki? Why learn Reiki for self-healing? Can you do Reiki healing on yourself? Listen in on conversation with Usui Reiki Master and registered nurse Ashley Ramos* #anasayoga #laureldistrict #laureldistrictoakland #reiki #reikihealing #reikipractitioner #reikienergy #reikitraining #yoga #yogainspiration #energyhealing #blackbayarea #reikiforyogateachers

Each and every being has an innate ability to heal as a gift from the gods. - Mikao Usui Reiki is a Japanese energy healing modality founded by Mikao Usui in the 1920s. It means universal life force. Usui Reiki Level 1 Attunement & Training opens our energetic pathways to be able to connect & channel the Reiki energy, deepening our self-awareness and connection. Join Ashley to learn what Reiki is, what this energy healing can do, and how to give Reiki to yourself and others.... After the attunement, the students will receive a certificate of completion and will be considered as a Reiki level 1 healer/practitioner. Saturday, Dec. 12 10:00am - 3:30pm (PST via Zoom) $180 - early bird training fee through Dec. 5 $200 - training fee after Dec. 5 #anasayoga #laureldistrict #laureldistrictoakland #reikihealing #reiki #reikienergy #reikihealer #yogainspiration #reikiattunement #reikiattunements #trysomethingnew

From @blissfulbyoga Pregnant Goddesses + New Mamas >>>>> I’m so excited to have fellow Doula and the founder of @doulasbythebay Shakila Marando joining us online TODAY at 1130A PST to share about #postpartumdoula support for the #anasayoga Mamas Since #pregnancy is only 9 mos and #postpartum is forever (kinda), and moms tell me alll the time how they didn’t feel well prepared for the #thefourthtrimester ..... Im grateful to offer more focus in #prenatalyoga @anasayoga on postpartum. And fyi ::::NEW MAMAS::: are welcomed to join class now!!

An informal gathering for all souls. Centered around the honesty of Saeeda’s book, The Healing, and the resilience she’s cultivated to thrive as a Black woman in the wellness world. @saeedahafiz Monday nights, Nov. 9, 16, 23, & 30 Register at www.anasaoakland.com #AnasaOaklandYoga... #BookClub #WhiteAllyShip #HolisticHealthHustle #HolisticHealthHustler #TheHealing #FoodandYoga #OneWomansJourneyFromPovertytoInnerRiches #SaeedaHafiz #gratitude #Yoga #PresentMoment #Saeeda #Holistic Yoga and Nutrition #Yin #Yang #Taoist #HealingCharts #Expansion #Contraction #ParallaxPress #TraumaInformed #Family #MiddleClass #Memoir #HolisticHealth #BLM #BlackLivesMatter #BLM #BlackLWellnessMatters #anothersmalldreamrealized See more

Join Satya and the Anasa community for this post-election yoga practice and community circle. Friday, Nov 6 from 6-8pm via Zoom. (sliding scale donation)... #anasayoga #laureldistrict #laureldistrictoakland #yoga #communitycircle #belovedcommunity #yogainspiration #bipoc #traumainformedyoga #selfcare