New yoga studio opens in Wasilla

WASILLA — With all the stress of life — not to mention news the economy might be teetering on demise — the timing of a new business in Wasilla opening Saturday could be perfect.

Wasilla resident Linda Ransom will officially open the Anjali Yoga Room during a ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow.

An Alaskan for 35 years, Ransom said she’s bringing the practice of yoga to Wasilla because she wants to promote health and wellness in the community.

“Once we have that, everything else in our life is liberated, is free,” Ransom said.

Ransom got into yoga 12 years ago, and has been teaching it for five. On Thursday, she said she wants to share an activity with her fellow Mat-Su Valley residents that did so much to make her healthier.

“I got into yoga because I wanted to release stress in my life,” she said. “I wanted to be a healthier person.”

And if the masses come to take classes at Anjali — which means “a loving welcome” in the ancient, dead language of Sanskrit — Ransom hopes to spread that health.

Anjali will offer a slew of classes in many facets of the Hindu theistic philosophy that has become a popular pastime for many in the United States.

Students can take part in hot yoga, healing yoga, prenatal yoga, active yoga, and vinyasa yoga, which Ransom describes as “a series of poses that flow from on to another in conjunction with the breath.”

That breath is really what it’s all about, Ransom said.

Whereas the most visible part of yoga is twisted bodies and contorted positions, the real key is breathing.

“It’s about being able to be in the present moment through the breath,” Ransom said. “And how the breath connects the mind and body together.”

Often when people think of yoga, images of super-fit athletes contorting into all kinds of shapes come to mind.

But Ransom said beginners shouldn’t be intimidated, and anyone, regardless of age or physical fitness, will likely be able to take up the activity.

To help Ransom with her quest for better health in the Valley, a cadre of yoga friends will join her at Anjali.

Joanne Sanchez, Narina Hornung, Heidi Snavely and Ransom, all Valley residents, are certified to teach through the Yoga Alliance.

The popularity of yoga, which Ransom said is blossoming as people realize its healing attributes, could keep Anjali full during its six-day-a-week schedule.

Regardless of who comes to Anjali, Ransom stressed her goal is to bring a sense of wellness and health to those that do.

“It’s about making that connection with the divine,” Ransom said. “The source of your choice.”

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.