Ania Spyra (she/they)

Special Gatherings Host, Program Leader of the Body Scan Practice, and Co-leader of Mindful Nature Walks

I first found Indy Community Yoga when I attended the silent retreat in the summer of 2021. At that point, I’d been practicing yoga and meditation for most of my life in a variety of traditions and contexts (Iyengar and Hatha yoga, Tibetan Buddhism, MBSR), but had never encountered a Sangha as open, diverse and freewheeling, with such deep and sincere of practice.

What I enjoy about the practices I co-lead is that they build our ability to focus and be fully present in our bodies and lives. Becoming more aware and accepting of sensory experiences in our bodies can be challenging at first, especially when we’re so used to judging them, but it opens the possibility of finding deep joy in the most ordinary experiences. Thus, I see mindfulness as a tool of liberation from oppressive, internalized structures.

Other than in mindful practices, I find joy in reading, writing, collage and mail art. I also love hosting our board meetings and card making parties.