We all appreciate our warriors who have died doing what they thought was right, who have allowed us the luxury of sitting peacefully in our own homes, and who have given us the freedom to work our dreams. It is their willingness to put their lives on the line that we honor. 

But we are warriors too. We all work (fight) to create lives that we believe are right for us, that matter...to us.

Today's practice is about re-centering our warrior's heart. The heart that is willing to love fully, and embrace pain and sorrow so we can be more courageous in caring for our self and others; a heart that digs to recognize our personal gifts, and then works to develop and bring them out for the sake of happiness.

Aphinya Deley is an E-RYT (Experienced registered yoga teacher) 200 & RYT 500.

She has been practicing yoga since 2001, earned her certification in 2005, and passionately continues advancing her knowledge, her practice, and her teachings.

Aphinya’s primary consideration is to instruct students to practice yoga from a place of empowerment and well-being. She is renowned for her skills in breaking down challenging postures into their component parts and teaching them progressively so that her students can practice at their own level. She challenges her students to understand the mechanics of their physical bodies, while providing guidance for those who choose to deepen a spiritual practice. She is also known for creative sequencing, and real-life philosophy. She is celebrated for a teaching style that is precise, inspired and cheerful.

Moreover, she enjoys working with her students in private, one-on-one sessions, where she may apply her deep knowledge of yoga to the individual's specific situation. Students may expect to learn valuable techniques to ease the body, encourage well-being, and unlock new depths while practicing yoga.

Aphinya has a great sense of humor and is easy going. She is enthusiastic about health (mind/body/spirit), cooking, reading, practicing yoga, appreciating life and all the challenges that come with it.

Aphinya offers both group and private classes. For private classes, please email her at yogapinya@gmail.com or call 716-704-9997 to set up your sessions. 1 private session is $70, 3 private sessions are $200.

Some free yoga tips which you can practice at home, please visit her YouTube channel.

“I met Aphinya about two years ago when I took an introduction to yoga class with her. I had been taking pilates for many years on and off and thought I knew what yoga was all about. I assumed it was the same poses – just holding them longer. After my first session with Aphinya, I realized how wrong I was! She explained and demonstrated the poses the way they are supposed to be done and my body felt it more in that one session than ever before. She is a master yoga instructor. Her demonstrations on how to align your body so that you are focusing on the right muscles is amazing to me. She has taught me that yoga is not only physical but spiritual and mindful as well. I always knew that I controlled the thoughts in my mind and not the other way around. Aphinya lives that and helps her students remember that as well. Every time I leave a session with her, I feel stronger physically, mentally and emotionally. I feel blessed to have found such an authentic teacher who is so sincere, kind and patient. Her passion for what she does comes through every single time I work with her. Thank YOU, Aphinya!” Paula Terranova

Nicole Dilweg received her B.F.A. in Dance from Purchase College in 2001.  She began her yoga training in New York City in 1997, studying at establishments such as OM, Integral, and Jivamukti Yoga Centers. Nicole did her teacher training in the Prana Vinyasa Flow method with teacher Shiva Rae in Los Angeles, California.  Her training includes Ayurvedic self-care methodology and Yoga for special needs.  

Nicole has taught dance and creative movement technique at various accredited institutions throughout the New York area, and is responsible for creating, implementing, and developing movement initiatives for youths and adults through the utilization of contemporary movement theories, classical dance techniques, Yoga, and Pilates. She has been on staff as a yoga instructor at several institutions throughout the Western New York area such as Yoga Universe, Body Blocks Specialty Fitness, the Northeastern Holistic Center, and the Burchfield Nature and Arts Preserve. She was also on staff at The Multnomah Athletic Club and The Yoga Shala of Portland in Portland Oregon.

Nicole teaches a fluid, movement-based Hatha/Vinyasa class combining elements of fluid motion with Klein technique re-alignment principles, bringing the student back to his/her innate awareness of their skeleton and its role in stabilizing and propelling the body through space. Her classes focus largely on body pulsation within poses and cultivation of the breath and mantra through transitions.