SOUND & MOVEMENT
“Aya’s ecstatic dance set was so soothing to my nervous system” Claraty
As an eternal dance student, Aya has been blessed to learn the art of movement and expression, constructing and deconstructing repertoires of various genres. In Paris it is with Nathalie Pubellier that she discovered the language of contemporary dance after a childhood spent practicing ballet. Her heart burst in joy when the first choreography she practiced was based on an Aphex Twin track. Paris also was a place where Aya could immerse herself in West African dance classes. In San Francisco, Luna’s modern dance classes at CCSF where imbued by Martha Graham’s legacy; while Aya also studied ballet with a new perspective on its magic. In Yokohama, Aya had the honor to study with Yoshito Ono’s sun, while Kazuo Ono was still nearby in his resting years blessing the space with his legacy. As Aya retreated for almost a decade in Northern California’s wilderness it is thanks to the works of Gabrielle Roth that she found her refuge in free movement.
More recently she was able to appreciate the blossoming of ecstatic dance around the globe from Santa Cruz to Paris.
It is in Nosara that she led regular ecstatic dance gatherings at the Alya retreat center.
"Aya Dunin is a humble student and steward of harmony through various mediums... and dimensions. Her musical offerings are another expression of her work to synthesize wisdom re-membered from rich traditions around the world -- and from long ago. She developed a passion for music and dance early on, while being raised in Paris by parents who are both musicians and artists.
Weaving eclectic & elegant musical influences, Aya Dunin curates DJ sets that are at once worldly, transcendental and timeless. She can hold space for ecstatic dance with the same devotion and joy as Hakomi Somatic Psychotherapy session or in her Holistic Birthwork. As someone who gracefully balances multiple "opposing" identities/experiences, coming from various cultures, she serves soundscapes that expand the entire container while seeking to bring us home to ourselves.
In past life cycles, Aya was an art historian, and an electronic music promoter. Aya wrote an essay on "Minimalism & Digital Music" for her graduation in 2005.
She has collaborated with various dance music producers sharing her vocals. It is in San Francisco that she honed her audio production & sound for cinema skills, while becoming a practitioner of the healing arts."
–Sheerlie Ryngler
ECSTATIC DANCE FACILITATOR & DJ
"Music is the spiritual soul of humanity."— Brian Eno
Hatha & Yin & Perinatal
InnerYoga Facilitator
"Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self." - Bhagavad Gita
In my therapeutic yoga classes, I aim to invite students to cultivate awareness, kindness, breath, ease, and courage—the foundational principles of InnerYoga. I offer practical tools to navigate life's challenges and foster intimacy with oneself and the present moment. My intention is to guide students back home to their body temple, fostering a coherent nervous system along the way.
With a lifelong passion for dance, I started studying ballet in London and Paris at the tender age of four. My journey led me to discover yoga and contemporary dance in my early twenties, igniting my path to decolonize my body, heal trauma, and reconnect with nature. My yoga journey commenced in Paris two decades ago thanks to Louisa Raszyk and dance with Nathalie Pubellier. I continued my exploration in Tokyo, studying with Butoh masters Kazuo Ohno and his son. It is in San Francisco, that my formal Hatha yoga teacher training took place at Yoga Tree.
As a devoted student of the Feminine Mystery, I embarked on a journey with Yin Yoga under Dina Amsterdam, followed by completing my InnerYoga certification. I then explored Shakti Yoga® & Temple Tribal Fusion Dance® with Tenley Wallace, deepening my embodiment. In 2020, I studied Perinatal yoga with Jane Austin.
Client Testimonials
“I had Aya teach Yin yoga at my healing retreat and it was such a valuable addition to the space. People were more open and available for meditation and it helped the group drop in together everyday in a very harmonious way. My experience being in Aya's classes was deeply nourishing and relaxing, the way that she holds space and takes on a level of care and nurturing what my body can really let go into. She integrates many modalities into her work for the most opening and healing to take place. I highly suggest working with Aya to anyone looking to receive deep relaxing and revitalizing practices in a very safe clear container.” — Jessica Benstock
“Practicing yoga under Aya’s guidance has enhanced my practice. Aya is a gifted yoga instructor. During multiple yoga sessions with her, I felt myself become more in tune with my alignment, centers of energy, and strength, and was able to build a higher degree of self compassion and self-determination in my practice. You have come to the right place if you are looking for an altruistic, attentive yoga teacher who can seamlessly draw from a variety of worldly healing practices (Yin, Vinyasa, and Chinese medicine) to create a memorable yoga experience. Thank you, Aya!” — Nathalie K.
“I had a weekly, evening, Yin & InnerYoga yoga class with Aya. It quickly became a very special time that I protected for myself, a true gift. She practiced with me the most comprehensive and thoughtful yoga I have done in the 25 years I have been doing yoga. We connected on many levels, and I am thrilled to call her a friend now. Her voice, knowledge, and ability to help me heal myself and stay grounded as a woman and mother will never be forgotten. She is truly a wonderful asset to any community that is lucky enough to have her.” — Abigail S.