Centering for Yoga

My newest podcast guest is Mary Horsman from Tough Stuff Recycling.Did you know millions of mattresses end up in landfills every year? Tough Stuff Recycling is working to change that by breaking down mattresses and box springs into reusable materials that can be repurposed instead of wasted.Mary explains: 

Yoga and Meditation Instruction Five Decades In:  Highlights of a recent interview with Yoga Anita Yoga gave me something nothing else could Yoga is accessible, not exclusive Yoga works in the boardroom too I'm here to make wellness fit real life Real wisdom comes from experience This episode features an experienced yoga and meditation instructor reflecting on nearly fifty years in the field. The conversation explores what initially attracted them to these practices, how public perceptions and misunderstandings have changed or persisted, and the nuances of teaching yoga in a variety of settings, from corporate boardrooms to schools and studios. Additional discussion covers how various professional outlets—books, podcasts, radio shows, and classes—come together to serve a unified purpose. The instructor also considers the lessons that only decades of dedication, not certifications, bring. Listeners will gain grounded insights into the realities and lifelong process of yoga and meditation, teaching approaches in diverse environments, and the deeper learnings that emerge from such sustained commitment.

Are you building a business—but feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure about your finances?This week on Healthy Living with Yoga Anita, I sit down with Kristin Mason—wife, mom, and business consultant—who is transforming the way entrepreneurs approach money, support, and success.Kristin goes beyond spreadsheets to help business owners: ✔️ Build financial clarity and confidence ✔️ Create accountability and support systems ✔️ Break through the loneliness of entrepreneurship ✔️ Align financial health with overall wellness✨ “Being present with your money affects your wellness.” – Kristin MasonKristin also offers free online coffee chats, book clubs, and a supportive community where entrepreneurs can connect, grow, and thrive.

✨ NEW PODCAST EPISODE ✨What happens when everyday exhaustion turns into something life-changing?This week on Healthy Living with Yoga Anita, I sit down with Marya Fonsh Mielinski, a dedicated teacher at Priest Street School in Leominster, who shares her powerful journey after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.Marya opens up about: 

 NEW EPISODE: Healthy Living with Yoga Anita ✨This week, I sit down with Alicia Favreau — a woman whose journey is as inspiring as her mission.From chef's apprentice ➡️ massage therapist ➡️ entrepreneur… Alicia has created something truly special with Empower Boutique and Spa

✨ NEW PODCAST EPISODE ✨This week on Healthy Living with Yoga Anita, I'm joined by special guest Lauren Oliver, Yoga Therapist & Integrated Health Coach.Lauren is passionate about helping individuals and teams create sustainable health and well-being through personalized coaching, group classes, and transformational programs—both online and in person.At The Vibrant Body, Lauren's approach goes beyond symptom management. She focuses on restoring connection through a powerful blend of evidence-based practices and deep energetic awareness.

✨ NEW PODCAST EPISODE ✨I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lourdes Fanjoy, owner of New You Reflexology, serving Central Massachusetts since 2012.Lourdes shares her deep passion for healing through reflexology, including her advanced training in structural reflexology. Did you know your feet have over 7,000 reflex points? By working these points, Lourdes helps open energetic pathways, remove deposits, and support better lymphatic flow—helping your body feel lighter, clearer, and more balanced.We also talk about her exciting move into a new location and her collaboration with an acupuncturist to bring more community wellness events to the area.This is a powerful conversation about how small, intentional touch can create big shifts in your health.

✨ NEW PODCAST EPISODE ✨What if healing didn't have to be hard… or take years?This week, I sit down with Diana Phillips — a healer, teacher, farmer, and channel — whose work is transforming the way we think about healing and personal growth. Through her creation, Soul 13®, Diana guides people into a deeper connection with the living architecture of their souls.Inspired by her powerful connection with Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano, Diana shares how we can access healing frequencies that gently and quickly release stored pain — without struggle.

This week on Healthy Living with Yoga Anita, I'm joined by my former colleague Gail Dellasanta, PE teacher at Varnum Brook Elementary School in Pepperell, Massachusetts. Gail began her career teaching Kindergarten and 1st grade while also leading adult fitness classes at night.When she saw how movement improved students' focus and academic success, she pursued a graduate degree in physical education and eventually returned to the same school as the PE teacher.Today, Gail creates fun, age-appropriate activities that build locomotor skills, confidence, and social-emotional growth. She also connects PE to the real world—like bringing the excitement of the Winter Olympics into her classes. It's a great conversation about how movement helps kids learn, grow, and thrive.#HealthyLivingWithYogaAnita #PhysicalEducation #KidsFitness #MovementMatters #ActiveKids #SocialEmotionalLearning #PepperellMA #TeacherSpotlight #HealthyLiving #PodcastInterview

Big heart. Big impact.

Sometimes life gives you a yoga lesson when you least expect it.Recently I scheduled a guest for my radio show, Healthy Living with Yoga Anita. We confirmed the time, I prepared for the conversation… and when the moment came, they simply didn't show up.No message. No explanation.For a moment, I felt disappointed. But yoga teaches us that the real practice isn't just on the mat—it's in how we respond when things don't go the way we planned.Instead of holding onto frustration, I took a breath and practiced letting go. One of the principles of yoga, aparigraha, reminds us not to cling too tightly to expectations.So I chose to release it, refocus, and keep showing up.Because the next conversation might be the one someone really needs to hear.Have you ever been ghosted or disappointed by someone? How did you handle it?

This week on Healthy Living with Yoga Anita, I'm joined by Shari Duffy and Kyrah Altman of LEAD (Let's Empower, Advocate, and Do Inc.).When Shari's daughter, Megghan, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at just 23 years old in January 2020, her mission didn't stop — it grew stronger. Years earlier, Megghan and Kyrah had founded LEAD while still in high school after recognizing the lack of resources and support for young people and families facing a terminal cancer diagnosis.A graduate of Fitchburg State University, Megghan was passionate about mental health advocacy and became a mental health counselor. Today, LEAD honors her legacy by providing free resources, mental health support, and coping strategies to young adults navigating life-altering diagnoses.

✨ New Episode: Healthy Living with Yoga Anita ✨This week, I'm joined by Damary Rosado — scientist, mom, poet, and author of Unraveling My Soul: “Silence the Mind and the Heart Will Sing.”Originally from Puerto Rico and now a longtime Fitchburg resident, Damary shares her powerful healing journey. After losing her mother at just 12 years old to a drug overdose, her aunt encouraged her to write as a way to process grief. That practice eventually became her book of poetry — a deeply honest expression of loss, faith, and hope.Shortly after publishing her book, Damary faced another unimaginable challenge when her daughter was diagnosed with Flu B, which progressed to sepsis, organ failure, dialysis, and a two-month coma at Boston Children's Hospital. Through daily prayer, unwavering faith, and the incredible medical team, her daughter made a miraculous recovery and returned to school at the Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction in Worcester this past December.Damary now shares her story to inspire others to lean into faith, creativity, and community during life's most difficult moments. A conversation filled with courage, love, and healing you won't want to miss.

✨ Take Control of Your HealthWhat if you could live a happy, healthy, vibrant life with fewer doctor visits and less dependence on medication?This week on Healthy Living with Yoga Anita, Nurse Practitioner Ann Law shares the truth about achieving optimal health through food, fitness, and mindset. Her personal story, professional expertise, and passion for education make this episode a must-listen.

This week on Healthy Living with Yoga Anita, we welcome a familiar and trusted voice from local radio—former WLPZ DJ CJ Ward of The Watchlist.CJ brings his cinematic wisdom and sharp insights as he shares his Top 10 Movies of 2025, along with bonus picks you won't want to miss:

New Episode on Healthy Living with Yoga Anita! This week, I'm joined by the one and only Jerry Caruso — an Italian from Lynn whose journey has taken him from the playgrounds of St. Patrick's and St. Mary's Catholic Schools to stages all across New England and beyond.Jerry wears more hats than most people own: 

✨ New Episode: Healthy Living with Yoga Anita ✨Anita speaks with Julie Bovenzi, owner of Truth Organic Spa in North Grafton, MA. Julie began her journey as an esthetician and discovered the healing power of touch — leading her to become a massage therapist, Reiki Master, and Biofield Tuner.After a devastating fire destroyed her spa, Julie's resilience and community support helped her rebuild and reopen in just three weeks. Now, she's back and offering even more powerful healing modalities.

New Podcast Episode! In this week's Healthy Living with Yoga Anita, I speak with Jeff St. Laurent, founder of SellingCoaching.com.Jeff's journey is truly inspiring — from fitness coach to life coach, and now a successful business mentor helping other coaches thrive. He shares how to get back to the fundamentals of success: ✨ Selling with authenticity ✨ Mastering marketing and presentation skills ✨ Building confidence and consistency ✨ Finding freedom in doing what you loveJeff's one-on-one coaching and free resources have helped countless coaches turn their passion into profit — and he's sharing his wisdom with us!

✨ New Episode! Featuring Darlene Corbett, LICSW ✨Join me this week on Healthy Living with Yoga Anita as I chat with Darlene Corbett, Licensed Therapist, Speaker, and Award-Winning Author of Visible.Darlene's work is all about helping people unlock their potential and live inspired, authentic lives. Her writing blends wisdom, compassion, and decades of experience as a therapist.We talk about the themes behind her novel Visible, her journey as a healer and storyteller, and her exciting upcoming release — Mesmerize.

Jeff Weller started has had a varied career as a broadcaster, weatherman for WWLP ( "I stunk!"), VO artist doing promos for David Letterman, and now is the host of Leominster Live on WLPZ 95.1FM. Jeff also works full time for RFK Community Alliance with disabled adults and hosts a musical bingo games at local events and bars.Yoga Anita even gets him to do some yoga on air!Meet Officer O'Leary, Lola, the Lotto Lady, Tony Baloney, and many more on Jeff's show,  Leominster Live, every Monday, 10-1pm on WLPZ 95.1FM, or stream on your favorite radio app. #healthylivingyogaanita #WLPZ #WWLP #RFKCommunityAlliance #VOartists #FitchburgStateMedia

Yoga Anita's special guest this week. Leominster High School wants put produce the Wizard of Oz but needs some new equipment for snow making and special effects. Rupert Harvey, LHS student, stops by to talk about the fundraiser efforts and how you can help.Donate at https://raise.snap.app/donate/leominster-theatre-company-2025/17474505#HealthyLivingWithYogaAnita #PodcastEpisode #WLPZ #wizardofozstageproduction #Leominster_theater

✨ New Podcast Episode on Healthy Living with Yoga Anita!My guest this week is Jennifer Novello Dwyer – a gifted tarot reader, medical intuitive, and energy healer. Recently, Jennifer has been working with prism wheel grids, a unique tool she uses to help her clients heal both physically and emotionally.Jennifer offers her services at @PrismWheel in Andover, MA, but you can also find her at special events and private gatherings. Connect with her on social media at @jennifernovellodwyer.

This week on Healthy Living with Yoga Anita, meet Crystal Holroyd – a caregiver, grandmother, empath, and intuitive whose remarkable life story is grounded in faith, resilience, and compassion.Crystal opens up about the personal challenges that shaped her: losing her grandfather, navigating her husband's sudden cancer diagnosis, and losing one of his eyes to the disease. Despite it all, she continues to serve others—offering her heart, time, and spirit to women in emotional need.Whether it's a walk, a warm cup of coffee, or a heartfelt conversation, Crystal believes in showing up for others as she is guided by something greater.

Healthy Living with Yoga Anita welcomes Anna Smith — Advanced Certified Core Energetics Practitioner and Intuitive Energy Healer.From a background in environmental science to a powerful journey into body-centered healing, Anna shares how she helps individuals and couples release trauma stored in the body, reconnect with their emotional truth, and build authentic relationships.✨ We talk about: ✔️ What Core Energetics is ✔️ Releasing stored trauma ✔️ Embodied couples mentoring ✔️ Trauma-informed healing ✔️ Intuition as a healing toolWhether you're seeking deeper emotional connection, healing from past wounds, or are curious about the mind-body-spirit connection, this episode is for you.

In this powerful episode of Healthy Living with Yoga Anita, I sit down with the inspiring Michelle Turner Young—a certified chakra and color therapy practitioner, fitness professional, and trailblazing dancer from Dorchester, MA. With over 18 years in dance and fitness, Michelle made history as the first American International Dance Hall Queen.But her path hasn't been easy. Michelle bravely shares how she overcame unthinkable challenges—including rape, homelessness, and suicide attempts—to rise as a healer, entrepreneur, and founder of Soul Fire Movement, her own dance and wellness studio.We talk about the healing power of movement, chakras, color therapy, and how Michelle uses her story to empower others through dance and spiritual alignment. This girl is on fire!

Danny Guzman watched his older brother perform and compete in break dancing events, never dreaming that it would someday be his career. Listen to the interview as we discuss:

After Melissa "Missy" Hendry had her second child she sought treatment for post partum depression. When her therapist suggested running, Missy started with a "Couch to 5K" program. Little did she realize how her experience would lead her to run for charity.Listen as we discuss: