September 2017 Featured Yogi: Anait Sinanian

Born and raised in Armenia, Anait came to  to the USA with her family when she was 18.  She loves helping people, especially the disadvantaged, so she chose the perfect profession to be able to do this.  As a special education teacher, Anait loves working with students with special needs and their families.

Anait started her yoga journey at the East Valley YMCA about 12 years ago and have had several teachers since then.  Seeking a workout to improve her posture, she walked into her first yoga class with her daughter. Little did she know it was going to become a lifelong activity to enjoy in many different ways. With encouragement from teachers and other yogis, she persisted in her yoga practice overcoming challenges on the journey.  

Anait joined the Root  2 Rise Yoga community about 7 years ago when Michelle started teaching at the East Valley YMCA, and has been attending Michelle's Saturday classes regularly since then.  She's also attended several retreats, hike + yoga, yoga + meditation + potluck at Michelle's mom's backyard (the original location for Root 2 Rise Yoga's early years of yoga tastings), Sunday yoga at the park and "am always looking forward to what's next," she says,  "Every event with Root 2 Rise Yoga has been memorable because it's all about being yourself, sharing who you are and learning from each other." 

Anait reflects on insights gained from her 12-year practice:

Yoga has helped me gain confidence and strength in my personal and professional life and in my relationship with my family.  As we smile and find joy through even difficult poses and flows, I remind myself to do the  same every day of my life.  I always remember: smile, and breath, you are not going to be here forever.  Yoga has made me stronger physically and emotionally.  It has helped me understand myself, my habits--good or bad, and how to overcome them.  As yoga poses are always work in progress, so are we as individuals.  We continue to grow and hopefully become better in every aspect of our lives.  

I am thankful and grateful to have met Michelle.  I am always inspired by her energy, courage, love and compassion.  As we all know, life happens.  There have been periods in my life when I couldn't attend classes but continued my practice on my own and returned as soon as I could.  I encourage everyone to not give up, continue taking classes and attending different events. The benefits are incredible for both mind and body.  My hope is to join Costa Rica retreat with Root 2 Rise soon.