Melissa

About Melissa

Melissa has been on the go all her life: as a fidgeter, athlete, dancer and trainer. Originally from Massachusetts, Melissa – a professional choreographer – founded Perceptions Contemporary Dance Company in 2007 after graduating from Dean College School of Dance. Melissa made the trek over to New York City in 2009 where she immediately began studying with Studio Anya. She has since explored all things Anya as a student and a teacher, an artist and liason. Her studies of Curriculum AUM branched so deep into her soul that she began incorporating Curriculum AUM into her choreography. Through this incorporation blossomed a collaborative journey between Perceptions Dance and Studio Anya called Project AUM: a method of teaching and exploring Curriculum AUM through dance and the arts.

Top 10 Yoga Poses for Relaxation

Top 10 Yoga Poses For Relaxation (via Style Craze)
For ages, yoga has been practiced to help soothe the mind and body. Yoga, when practiced religiously, helps you stay calm and maintains your overall well-being. Here are 10 yoga poses that are sure to help you relax 1. Tadasana – Mountain Pose: This…

 

By |December 28th, 2013|Anya Ambassadors|0 Comments

Yoga: why men don’t get it

Yoga: why men don’t get it (via Sydney Corporate Yoga)
At a recent visit to a yoga studio, I watched as practitioners breathed, bent, twisted and stretched their way to a happier state. They left more relaxed, more energised, with better posture and a renewed outlook. But there was one curious thing: of…

 

By |December 24th, 2013|Anya Ambassadors|0 Comments

Dalai Lama speaks of ‘sadness’ at Mandela loss

Dalai Lama speaks of 'sadness' at Mandela loss (via AFP)
The Dalai Lama spoke Friday of his sadness at losing his friend Nelson Mandela, whom he hailed as an affectionate and principled man. "We are very much sad," the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader said in a live webcast broadcast organised by the Nelson…

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By |December 16th, 2013|Anya Ambassadors|0 Comments

How to Make Homemade Fruit & Herb Infused Water

 (via sustainablog)
Cool off this summer with a batch of all-natural, homemade fruit and herb infused water. There’s no need for pricey equipment or shopping lists, only your favorite produce, water and a container. A reusable water bottle, Mason jar or pitcher will work just fine! Since over half of your body is made…

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By |June 13th, 2013|AUM on the GO!|0 Comments

Project AUM: Meet Sarah Sadie…

In March of 2013, Project AUM began a 6-week collaborative project to create what ultimately became the first of many contemporary dance works based on Curriculum AUM.  While we await the release of  video from The Moving Beauty Series (where the work premiered back in April), I'd like to introduce you to some key Project AUM players.  Some are [...]

By |May 20th, 2013|Anya Ambassadors|2 Comments

HOW TO BE: a mind+body dialogue by Project AUM

Over the past 4 years, I have been inspired greatly by Curriculum AUM.  As an artist working in the medium of Dance, I've explored creating work based on the Curriculum, creating short works performed at festivals and events held at Studio Anya.  This process spawned Project AUM - a platform for Artists to create based on the inspiration they receive [...]

By |April 1st, 2013|Anya Ambassadors|0 Comments

AUM through ART: The Wounded

"It is through being Wounded that power grows and can, in the end, become tremendous.” -Friedrich Nietzsch

The Wounded is the main character in Faculty 3 and represents our vulnerabilities. History alone reveals unspeakable acts of cruelty to remind us of humanity’s frailty while some would even say we are injured as soon as we exit the womb. Regardless of source, however - whether [...]

By |March 13th, 2013|Anya Ambassadors|0 Comments

AUM through ART: The Observologist

Who is the Observologist?  

The Observologist is the main character in Faculty 2 and represents our human existence in the role of the Inner Stenographer and Journalist.  Imagine an omniscient narrator holding the lens and consciously zooming in or out depending on levels of curiosity, comfort and concentration. The Observologist is the full spectrum spectator of our experiences –the one who people watches, “rubbernecks” and absorbs the whole scene. [...]

By |November 6th, 2012|Anya Ambassadors|0 Comments

Project AUM: SutraHymn #1

"Stand Tall! Face the day, awaken the real."
Such words already command power over us, but Kristin Porter - modern jazz vocalist extraordinaire - creates a work of art that when listened to wraps us in a nest of inspiration.  Kristin takes our Faculty 1 Sutranym  and creates a powerful work of art for our ears in our very first "Sutra-Hymn".

Take [...]

By |October 24th, 2012|Anya Ambassadors|2 Comments

AUM through Art: Atmatype Drawings – A Collaborative Dialectic

NYC Multimedia Artist, Carlos Vazquez shares his views and answers our questions about the Atmatypes and his stunning visual interpretations created specifically for us!  Check out Carlos' interview below, then check out his amazing visual works based on each of the 22 Faculties. [...]

By |September 26th, 2012|Anya Ambassadors|0 Comments

AUM through Movement: Enliven the Hands Workshop

In March of 2012 we began our free movement workshop series presented by Perceptions Dance and Studio Anya that assists in the artistic exploration of the AUM Curriculum while teaching its techniques through movement and dance.   Kate Enright joined us for our very first workshop to explore some of the AUM Curriculum techniques through movement.  Our second workshop was led by AUM Curriculum creator Courtney Bauer. [...]

By |July 30th, 2012|Anya Ambassadors|2 Comments

AUM through ART: The Secular Self

Project AUM began with the exploration of the AUM Curriculum through dance, and has since blossomed into AUM through the Arts.  Carlos Vazquezz, NYC multimedia artist and Studio Anya Student is the first of our visual artists to bring the AUM Curriculum to life.

The Secular Self is the main character in Faculty 1 and represents our human existence as seen from the [...]

By |July 24th, 2012|Anya Ambassadors|0 Comments

AUM through Voice: Sat Nam

It's finally here: track two from Elena Girodano based on Curriculum AUM's second mantra!  Check out Elena's original track created just for us.  "Sat Nam" will get your feet moving with it's original beats and spectacular vocal trance.  But don't take our word for it, go ahead and listen: [...]

By |July 2nd, 2012|Anya Ambassadors|0 Comments

AUM through Movement: Workshop with Kate Enright

Project AUM began with the exploration of the AUM Curriculum through dance, and has since blossomed into AUM through the Arts.  In March of 2012 we began our free movement workshop series presented by Perceptions Dance and Studio Anya that assists in the artistic exploration of the AUM Curriculum while teaching its techniques through movement and dance.   [...]

By |June 18th, 2012|Anya Ambassadors|1 Comment

AUM through Voice: Jai!

For the past few years Elena Giordano has been studying Curriculum AUM at Studio Anya, which has turned into yet another beautiful source of AUM through the ARTS.  Check out Elena's original track "Jai" - the first mantra in the Mind+Body Curriculum turned into utter beauty! [...]

By |June 13th, 2012|Anya Ambassadors|2 Comments

AUM through Dance: The Secular Self

"Movement never lies. It is a barometer telling the state of the soul's weather to all who can read it." ~Martha Graham

One of the dance world's greatest pioneers, Martha Graham once said, "Dance is the hidden language of the soul."  Having the opportunity to create dance based on Curriculum AUM exposes a whole new way of learning and understanding just what the curriculum is all about - and it's not just grounding the feet!  Dance speaks to us deeper then words, targeting our inner emotions and tugging at our heart strings.   [...]

By |June 1st, 2012|Anya Ambassadors|2 Comments