Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayan Anderson.
Ayan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Being a part of Art programs all my life led me to who I am now. From elementary through college, I was in the magnet programs. Starting with choir in kindergarten (Lovett), dance training in jazz, modern, tap and ballet in middle school (Johnston, now renamed Meyerland) plus a year and a half of drill team at my zoned school (Westbury), playing the Bflat clarinet in band from 1st – 12th grade all the way to some theater, costume crew work, and more choir and piano through high school (HSPVA) and college (Sam Houston State University). As I journeyed through the college atmosphere, I became more acquainted with my poetic voice, my throat chakra and my full expression. Through organization leadership and roles within NAACP Unit 6816 at Sam Houston State University, New Perspective Development [NPD] plays, and the Lady Dubois Scholarship Pageant presented by The Exceptional Men of the Talented Tenth Inc., which is where I first performed spoken word, I learned how powerful and influential I was and more importantly, could be. It was my second senior college year that exposed me to a life I did not want to live. I was working two jobs with a total of 45 – 50 hours a week, one job being energetically draining, plus 12 hours of school, which was spiritually draining. I was tired! And rarely did I feel the sun, which to this day is essential to my health. This was also before I purchased my first mattress WITH the bed frame, so prior to I was suffering on an air mattress and then the floor for a while. Around this time, I was finally starting to practice yoga via YouTube videos.
End of May 2018 after work one day, I ran across a shared post by TrapYogaBae highlighting a melanin woman yoga teacher fanning money with the caption “And they say yoga teachers don’t make money.” The lightbulb moment was there. I’m thinking, “Okay, I am in school obtaining a BS in Kinesiology with the original intent to become a physical therapist”, and along the way, I knew that was not going to happen. My senior internship was at a chiropractor’s office as a chiropractic technician assistant and that job confirmed that NO! After seeing that post I immediately researched yoga teacher certifications abroad. I knew after I graduated, I desired and needed to see the world; Mongolia was the place at the time or somewhere in Thailand.
With the quickness, I found School Yoga Institute and registered for a teacher training in Bali Indonesia that upcoming October 2018. I graduated with my BS in Kinesiology in August 2018. That summer, I started practicing Kemetic yoga at Yoga House Houston studio in Houston, Texas. Shoutout to H-Town, WESSSSS. (laughter). This is the only melanin and woman-owned yoga studio in Houston. I think Texas, at least that year. Once I completed my Yoga Teacher Training (YTT), the rest was history. I transformed into a whole new being. A more evolved, empowered and inspired Ayan – Aarunya Darsatha Divit (my chosen Sanskrit name from my YTT), which in conjunction to my LLC – EleMelanated – birthed Elem.Divit. From one yoga in the park event, the Full Cellf Awareness 4 Day Chakra Based Workshop, Release & Heal sensual events to private yoga, more workshops, my podcast IlluM, Integrated SOUL – a 4 week Journaling & Visualization eCourse and eBook, I have continuously grown in my power and abilities.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh man! Surely! The main battle was my mindset and spiritual essence being agitated with societal norms and parental expectations based off their upbringings and experiences. I knew for a long time and still know a 9-5/full-time job doesn’t sit well with my Aries Sun nor Soul. I am a free bird, and I knew and know what my calling is. For the longest, my main and only job was in the restaurant industry, so I was already used to quick and good money.
Outside of this, from high school through college, I struggled with feeling the need to be understood by others, mostly my parents. I’d felt like the black sheep of the family and felt like a failure for so long. I felt so burdensome with wanting to be an entrepreneur and being the first full time entrepreneur of the family. I knew who I wanted to be and still sometimes feel the pressure of that. My purpose is everything and remembering my purpose was my fuel to keep going. I, Ayan Safi, Aarunya Darsatha Divit, am here to assist in healing the higher collective feel something new, something good, and that is or can be heavy work. I am still here.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m well known for my buoyant spirit, inspiration, affirmations and my full expression. I’m known for not caring what others believe or don’t believe about me and unapologetically being who I am. As EleM.Divit, the yogi, yoga instructor and meditation and journal guide, I specialize in guiding students into embodying and enlivening their soul’s desires. Sometimes that simply looks like taking their time rolling up from a forward fold or ragdoll into a standing position… maybe swaying their neck and/or hips from side to side as they rise – feeling something [new] – opposed to straight, center and quick – feeling nothing. I am known for sensual yoga in how I teach, practice and show up in the world; hence, Release & Heal & my muse passions. As Ayan Safi the podcast host of IlluM, I willingly share all parts of mycellf as a medium for others to live their truth authentically, sensually, and dynamically. As Kandakke Safi, I spit poetry.
I am most proud of being who I am with so much love and gratitude and having the ability to empower others because of who I be. I embrace all facets of myself; that is what sets me apart from some others. I’m Ayan; that’s what sets me apart from others. I don’t want to be you nor do I want you to be me.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would give more. 743. 743 is a powerful angel number I keep receiving. I would learn how to apply myself way more. I am still becoming more disciplined and diligent. I’ve made plenty progress and celebrate that often! All my downfalls fueled my Goddess Risings. I regret nothing. I learn from it all and move through and forward.
Pricing:
- EleM.Divit Private Yoga Sessions [offered virtually or park/Gym ]
– 5 session pack $250 sale to any readers. Send an interest email to elem.divit@gmail.com with “Voyage” in the message or subject. - Bringing the Heat Virtual Retreat brought to you by Untamed Lingerie & Amber J Yoga; I am leading a Pussy Painting & Mirror Talk Workshop on Monday August 17. The Virtual retreat last till the 21st
- Integrated SOUL 4 Week eCourse (Start September 7, 2020) $110 (follow IG: sankofabird_ for Presales) Description: With Journaling, Visualization and Creation as the framework, we deep dive into discovering the meaning of living in Service & in Purpose through The Art of Clarifi-Action. We will explore how a deeper dive within yourcellf will reveal all the answers you need to propel forward in your evolution with an Integrated Soul. It’s time to Be You & Love Being You & Serve Purposefully from your Integrated Soul!
- Release & Heal Vol. 4: A Sensual Event Bridging Intentional Community Conversation, Guided Meditation, Yoga and Sound Bowl Healing into One Feel Good Experience [ September 20, 2020 1-3PM ] $45 In Person (limited 10 people); $35 Virtual
Contact Info:
- Email: elem.divit@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/sankofabird_
- Facebook: faebook.com/elem.divit
Image Credit:
Shot by Justin the Photographer
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