Yogini A.

As a Peace Corps Volunteer, she began a yoga group for girls' empowerment. She then completed 500 hours of YTT in India, along with Singing Bowl Chakra Cleansing, Reiki, and Thai Yoga Massage. Now she hopes to bring her collective experiences to those surrounding her in order to create a tribe of people interested in self-healing and love. As a nomad, she follows her grandmother's advice to, "Bloom where you're planted." In the 3 years from 2014- 2016, Kristen (Yogini A.) was given three names. She aims to live up to each of those names. Aviεla– Her Ghanaian name, given to her by her community in the Upper West village of Kalsagri during her Peace Corps service. It is Dagaare for “No Worries,” “It’s fine,” and “It’s beautiful.” Akira– Her first Yogini name, given to her by her teacher, Mahesh, at Vinyasa Yoga School in Rishikesh. It is Sanskrit for “Graceful Strength,” “Bright,” “Intelligent,” and “Clear.” Anjali– Her second Yogini name, given to her by her guru, Yogi Sivadas, at Kailash Tribal School of Yoga and Holistic Healing in Dharamshala. It is Sanskrit for “Tribute,” “Divine Offering,” “Offering with Both Hands.” Anjali is also the name of one of the most common mudras: “hands at heart center.” To Kristen, it is a daily reminder to live by, from, and with the heart: following it to the highest peak of existence: Loving life and Life loving her back.