Embracing the community is a foundational element of AYA Yoga. The three met while training to become teachers at Give Yoga. When Give decided to leave their German Village location, the founders of AYA decided to start their own studio to preserve the existing yoga community and encourage others to explore the practice.

“We couldn’t see this entire community disappear” Aranda says, “It was something that we all felt so close to. Rebuilding this community and space and creating the energy that’s been in this space – we were like, we can’t walk away from this.”

The philosophy of AYA is present in every part of the studio, including the name itself. “AYA stands for As You Are.” Aranda explains, “And that felt really important to all of us because the three of us don’t fit into the box of what a traditional yogi is or what society tells us how you’re supposed to look, behave, etc. So, whether that’s coming with sadness, grief, happiness, if you’re scared – those are all real things. But show up anyway. It’s okay.”

“Yoga is messy because life is messy.” Caplinger adds, “You can show up with whatever is going on and be held in community and there’s space for that here.”

The three were intentional with AYA’s branding, seeking to echo the internal struggles many may be experiencing when coming to a yoga class. “Our logo is two snakes intertwining with the sun and the moon” Zitesman says, “It really came from us wanting to dive into that duality of the light and the darkness – we wanted this place to be a comfortable, safe space where people can come and meet those dark parts of themselves.”