|
The Yoga Studio is the 'brain child' of Lakshyan Schanzer. Officially it was established in Worcester during the summer of 1979. Unofficially the concept began in 1971-2 while Lakshyan had been living, working full time, and teaching in New York City in the ashram environment established by Swami Satchidananda at The Integral Yoga Institute (IYI). As his teaching work expanded, Lakshyan began teaching in a variety of non-ashram settings. It was also during this time that the link between psychological and spiritual goals became increasingly clear. Lakshyan began his formal training and study of psychotherapy during this period. Over the years of intensive and regular practice he saw that yoga would benefit every level of being human: Body, Mind, Relationships, Soul.
 At that time, however, he was quite alone in thinking that yoga should be spread outside of ashram environments. Perhaps some of this style of having a slightly different stance is evident in the photo below (1971) with his IYI community of friends, where Lakshyan is in the lower right corner beginning a headstand.
One of Lakshyan's dreams was to see yoga offered in every neighborhood in the city. He was not alone in his vision. Today, we are in the new millennium and this dream is practically a reality in New York and in many major cities all over the world.
In 1977 the concept of yoga for everyone was expanded while living in Worcester, Massachusetts. Lakshyan was hired to develop programs for the elderly, for special needs populations, and the mentally retarded. Thirsty for more guidance and training Lakshyan planned a study trip in India. He contacted BKS Iyengar who invited him to take the teachers training in Pune in December of 1978. (See group photo: 4th row up and 4th from the left.)
 While the training with BKS Iyengar satisfied his interest in precision of technique, for a deeper understanding of the goals, Lakshyan was also guided to find Nisargadatta Maharaj (left side -below- in white). Nisargadatta Maharaj was a fully enlightened Jnana Yogi and a rare event in the 20th century. Lakshyan attended daily satsangs with Maharaj for only about a month (Lakshyan below in yellow), but (as with many others) the effects have been lasting. Lakshyan learned that the goal of yoga is not to improve, or gain any particular condition. Rather, the goal is more of 'undoing', of a return 'to a prior and given reality, to an innately healthy sense of being with oneself and in the world'.
To quote Maharaj: "No change can be made in you. No instruction whatsoever can be given to you. You were perfect even before you came here. And you will be returning absolutely perfect, without even a dent on you."
 Upon return to the USA there was no longer any question that the world outside of ashram life needed yoga! In 1979 The Yoga Studio was opened in downtown Worcester. (Below left: Lakshyan taking a break with students of the Worcester studio. Right: practicing yoganidra in the Worcester studio.)
 While completing his psychology doctorate The Yoga Studio moved to Providence in 1985, where it has continued until today. During the years the yoga curriculum and teaching has continued to unfold, with workshops and training in many other methods including the integration of mindfulness, and the wisdom of the body into psychotherapy. The 'umbrella' name and logo: BodyMind Therapies was added the the business. Thus the business includes services in: counseling/psychotherapy, as well as the teaching of classes at 'The Yoga Studio'.
 In 1999 while attending a Cardiac Yoga teachers training in Yogaville, Virginia, Lakshyan met Marilena Kali Santos who was also attending the program. Marilena is from Florianopolis, Brazil where she has been well established as a yoga teacher and had her own yoga studio (called 'Om Namaste'). Marilena is a sought after speaker, published artist, author, and expressive therapist. Marilena had began her practice in 1984 and evolved her own Bhakti style (heart-centered) and emphasizes acupressure warm-ups. She had evolved her own vision of yoga as benefiting everyone. In fact, her video of warm ups (originally produced in Brasil) is titled: "Yoga For All". The synergy between their visions, practice, and teaching was obvious. Marilena and Lakshyan were married in June 2000 . . . And The Yoga Studio continued to evolve . . . .
 As of September 2004, with the relocation to the modern and conveniently located offices at 1215 Reservoir Avenue, in Garden City, RI (401) 275-2233, BodyMind Therapies and The Yoga Studio received a slight name change: "BodyMind Therapies and The Garden City Yoga Studio". The same services of classes and psychotherapy, and workshops continue as they have for over 25 years.
Oh, and when you stop by the studio, you can see some of Marilena's unique 'tatooed' leather paintings. Marilena is a noted artist in Brasil. She is on exhibit in public and private galleries and in is in the Brasilian textbook of 'Primitive' (Naive) style. Some samples of her art can be viewed here.
|
