When I moved to Eastern Washington in late 2020, I left behind my beloved and exquisitely large yoga community in Northern California. I had been practicing since 2000 and teaching since 2014. And, as much as I adore living out in the country with my husband, it was sad to realize that I would have to travel close to an hour to practice yoga at any Spokane studios. Sometimes you have to give up your old life for the new one. That said, you can imagine my joy when a neighbor mentioned to me that a new yoga studio, which also offers massage, was opening in Davenport (the closest town to my rural home). I was so excited I jumped online to search for where it was and how soon I could be there. My research quickly led me to the Davenport WA Virtual Yard Sale/Community Page on Facebook. Grateful for this resource, I found Mauna Wellness Studio was just about to open its doors!!!
I quickly started a conversation with one of its lovely owners, Raychell Sand, and learned that she and her husband Wade Sand had purchased their home and moved to Davenport in June of 2021. While they continue working in Spokane doing bodywork and teaching yoga, they are so happy to be in Davenport and honored to bring their expertise to this area.
Raychell and Wade Sand, with their child WrenlyAs Raychell and I messaged back and forth, I found her energy uplifting and inclusive. She generously commented that the studio is really for the community and they are listening to suggestions, including desired class times and interests. I asked if they were interested in having another yoga teacher teacher or sound healing events, and I am happy to announce that she welcomed me on board and I started teaching Tuesday, April 19th. I now personally practice and teach yoga at Mauna Wellness Studio and love the community that has so quickly formed and warmly welcomed this healing space.
About the owners…If you are wondering about the name of the studio, “Mauna” is a Hawaiian word which means “mountain.” Raychell’s continuing education as a massage therapist includes Lomi Lomi, a Hawaiian style massage. She was inspired to use Mauna in the name of her business giving it an earthy/grounded vibe. Her initial massage therapy training was through the Therapeutic Connections School of Massage in Spokane. Raychell had been working as a massage therapist for less than a year when she met Wade, a yoga teacher working at the same venue in Spokane. Yoga, being Wade’s first love in the healing arts, was trained in the Bishnu Ghosh lineage hatha style yoga, and has been teaching since 2014. He has since found Thai Yoga Massage and you may get a little taste of his healing touch in an assist during one of his classes. Raychell and Wade soon fell in love, married in 2019, and now have a wonderful son they named Wrenly. It has been 4 years now as their dream continues to unfold to include Mauna Wellness Studio in Davenport.
OFFERINGS AT MAUNA WELLNESS STUDIO
HATHA YOGA
Mondays 10am & 4:30pm
Wednesdays 7:45am
Fridays 5pm
Saturdays 10am
3rd Saturday of each month @2pm – KIDS YOGA (by donation)
Hatha Primary Series, 75 minutes. This class will consist of 26 postures designed to strengthen and balance the entire body, and bring you a sense of focus. Energizing and invigorating. For kids yoga the suggested age is 3-10 years, but parents are welcome to use their discretion for any ages, and are encouraged to practice as well.
YIN YOGA
Monday 7pm
Wednesday 6pm
Fridays at 6:30pm
Yin Yoga offers relaxing body movement and connection with stillness and breath. A gentle yet deep practice to open up connective tissue for more flexibility and increased mobility.
YIN/YANG
Tuesdays at 10am
A balancing yoga sequence starts with Yin yoga to calm the mind and work the joints before the muscles are warm. Flowing into dynamic/active Yang (sometimes Vinyasa) and active standing postures building strength, stamina and flexibility. Often includes gentle assists, Reiki and/or tuning forks.
THAI MASSAGE w/Wade
Try Thai Massage demo for $50
90 minute $100 (wear comfortable clothes you can stretch in)
Thai Fusion (couples massage) 2 hr. session for $300/2 person
MASSAGE THERAPY
90 minutes Integrative Table Massage $150
Fully customized deep-tissue, integrative massage sessions designed to realign the body, relieve pain and tension and generate lasting somatic healing.
SOUND HEALING
Monthly Sound Baths 60/75 minutes $25
Friday, June 10, 2022 @ 6:30pm
Tuesday, June 21, 2022 @ 6:30pm (Special Summer Solstice Celebration)
$20/class, every 5th class free (does not include sound baths).
Unlimited yoga for $120/month.
Kids yoga is donation based.
All skill levels are welcome. Mats and props are available for use. You are also welcome to bring your own. Keep a look out for L.I.F.T. partner yoga workshops and sound baths TBA. The schedule will grow and may shift day/times as the demographic makes it’s needs known. Walk-ins are welcome, but keep in mind space is limited. I recommend reserving your space at the JotForm link below. Priority goes to the pre-signed spots.
CLASS SIGN-UP: https://tinyurl.com/maunasignup
Follow Maun Wellness Studio on FB & IG
Maunamassage@gmail.com
(209) 576-5091
THE IMPORTANCE OF YOGA
In my experience, adding yoga to your life will change your life in the sweetest and healthiest ways. Simply attending classes will start you on a more wholesome path. Teachers are committed to helping others on their path and yoga has been a wonderful tool for recovering addicts and overworked, overstressed individuals. A yogic lifestyle may begin with asana (movement practice), yet it will rub off on the other areas of your life fairly quickly. “Yoga” can be translated as “yoking,” union, or a bringing together of the mind, body and soul. Aside from strengthening the body, increased vitality and flexibility, many find that with regular practice, they want to do the best for your body, mind and spirit. Eating cleaner, adding less processed foods and more organic, limiting toxic input from food, media and society. Scheduling life events to support your practice commitments. Yoga assists you in cultivating the witness of yourself and connection to God/Source.
Making your practice a priority affects your life in beautiful ways. As B.K.S. Iyengar says, “the potential for enlightenment lies in the heart of every person and the yogic journey will illuminate the path.” (B.K.S. Iyengar is one of the world’s masters of yoga with over 70 years of disciplined daily practice.). In his book Light on Life, he speaks about asana (yoga movement), “I use the body to discipline the mind and to reach the soul.”
Mauna Wellness Studio invites you to join us and is grateful for each of you who have jumped right into creating this community.
