Yoga, massage business helps clients find 'alignment'

Just off Main Street is an oasis called Defining Inspirations, a yoga and massage business owned by Emily Araujo.

ww.eagletimes.com    

2016-03-05 / Front Page Yoga, massage business helps clients find 'alignment' By Nancy A. Cavanaugh ncavanaugh@eagletimes.com Emily Araujo stands in the Defining Inspirations studio located at 59 Main St. in Springfield. — NANCY CAVANAUGH Emily Araujo stands in the Defining Inspirations studio located at 59 Main St. in Springfield. — NANCY CAVANAUGH SPRINGFIELD — Just off Main Street is an oasis called Defining Inspirations, a yoga and massage business owned by Emily Araujo. The small studio, located at 59 Main St. in Springfield, is bright, peaceful and filled with plants and soothing art. The open studio space has wooden floors and one wall is covered with mirrors. Araujo has been a certified Kripalu yoga instructor for four years and recently became certified to give Thai and Shiatsu massages. She has also been certified in Reiki for seven years. “The reason I came to yoga is from the strong feeling I had from doing dance and alignment,” said Araujo. “It is a form of dance with flow and alignment. I encourage people to be creative. It should be a playful and enjoyable experience.” Employing gentle yoga techniques, Araujo, who has been practicing yoga for the last 16 years, helps people listen to their bodies. “There’s a conversation going on with your body the whole time,” she said. “People are trained to push themselves. I try to change that so they are meeting their self where they’re at. “There needs to be an awareness around what’s going on with us [inside],” Araujo continued. “Many times behind the physical pain, there’s emotional pain.” Araujo said she works to find ways around the resistance in the client’s life. “Many people come in saying ‘I used to be able to …’ or ‘I should be able to …’ I try to get people to let go of the belief and have them meet themselves where they are,” she said. “I have all types in the studio, from full range to restricted motion. “It’s about giving ourselves an opportunity to sit inside our body and have a conversation, to ask what it needs,” Araujo continued. “We spend so much time in our heads that our body doesn’t get the attention it deserves.” While doing yoga full time since last fall, she recently expanded her business to include the massage therapy and workshops. “I already helped people with their positioning so it was a natural fit,” Araujo said. In the coming months, Araujo will be hosting a Wellness Day with Denise Gebroe on Saturday, March 19. And, on Saturday, March 26 she will be hosting a Yoga, Paint and Wine event. In addition to working in her studio, Araujo also works in the community, helping the teachers in the Springfield School District as well as Black River Produce. “I go [to Black River Produce] two days a week,” said Araujo. “I am trying to show them the benefit for corporations to add yoga for their employees.” Araujo offers classes at the studio on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:15 a.m. and on Thursdays at 12:15 and 5:15 p.m. She also works at Our Place in Bellows Falls on Mondays at 5 p.m. Classes are $10 for walk-ins and $80 for 10 classes. Private sessions are $60 for 90 minutes. Araujo can be reached at (802) 952-8874 or by email at defininginspiration@gmail.com. For more information and a current schedule, go online at www.vtyogadays.com.