Bliss for your ‘bodhi'

MILFORD - Barbara Van Etten is the director of Bodhi Bliss, a new center for yoga and massage opening in Milford. Van Etten, a massage therapist and yoga teacher, says she has created the center to be “a sanctuary, a space created for health and well-being.” She studied massage in Sydney, Australia, earning two diplomas. While living in Australia Van Etten worked at a massage clinic practicing Lymphatic Drainage (massage) on people in remission from several types of Cancer. “The cancer community is my passion, the community I enjoy working in so much. Massage is great for everyone, but appreciated even greater when we are confronted with challenges in of our life. As for yoga, I have had my own practice for about 4 years now. I have had the most amazing teachers along the way, both in New York and in Australia,” she said. Van Etten has recently finished her yoga teacher training with Atmananda/Center Point Studios in New York City. “I was ready to take my personal practice to another level, really ready develop the teacher within and to bring my love of yoga to Milford.” Bodhi Bliss offers an amazing special ‘Five classes for $25.00,’ which will continue to run so people can get a taste of what yoga is and what it does for the body. Bodhi Bliss offers two to five classes a day, including yoga, pilates, stretch classes and a meditation class. The center plans to offer free lectures on Wednesday nights with such topics as “What is Tai Chi?”, “The Benefits of Eating Organic” and “Healthy Ways to Approach Menopause.” As for the name, Bodhi is the name of a tree, the tree where Buddha was said to have found enlightenment. “As a body worker, I wanted something that represented both the physical body and that inner self. If Buddha can find enlightenment under a tree, we certainly have a greater opportunity to find that peace in a space designed for it.” An area native, Van Etten graduated high school in Pine Bush and her family now lives in Matamoras. “Creating Bodhi Bliss has been so much fun. My dad has been my handiman and master craftsman and I’ve had support from friends which I welcomed. I kept focusing on the end result, on the sanctuary I was picturing in my mind and now exists,” Bodhi Bliss is located plaza shops, opposite Apple Valley, at 629 W. Harford Street in Milford. For more informtaion, call 570-409-YOGA (9642).