Meet Deva Arani | Author, Kundalini Yoga Instructor & Life Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deva Arani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deva, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always been a bit independent and after 20 plus years practicing law I was ready to let go and follow my heart. This was a process and took time. For many years I juggled/jigged between my solo law practice and particpating in, leading and guiding meditations and retreats, balencing the two and moving in between the two very different worlds. At one point, maybe 10 years ago I was hoping to learn “my true purpose” during a two-week meditation retreat and about half way through I had the understanding that my purpose is to be present and open hearted in all endeavors. This felt like such a sweet simple understanding and I realized I needed to apply it to my law practice. So for the next five years or so I did this and brought my presence, awareness and love to each and every client I met. I surrendered to doing the somewhat tedious legal work (drafting documents, engagement letters, reviewing changes, etc) with all of my awareness and presence and this actually transformed my law practice. I enjoyed meeting with my clients in a new more meaningful way and found that the actual work of being a lawyer became much more relaxed and purposeful. This time was very healing for me and I believe it healed my relationship with the legal profession and its very competitive, money centric focus. It also healed early wounds I carried around not being good enough and or feeling like an imposter. At some point just before an annual meditation retreat it came through that this process of applying my meditative awareness to my law practice was complete and I could let go with confidence. I sent an email out announcing I was closing my practice at the end of the year and never looked back. Once I closed my law practice I wasn’t sure what would open up and I spent some months feeling a bit lost. Gradually I found my way but it took time. I had thought once I closed the law practice all of this creative freedom would just manifest with all my new found freedom and time. Not. It was almost a year later that I finally had the creative flow to write my first book, Integration Alchemy – Rekindle Your Transformational Retreat and Shine. I also got my teacher certificate in kundalini yoga and became a certified life coach with a focus on meditation/mindfulness. The creative process of writing was my first love and is now my main work, everything else I do supplements or feeds the writing and I love that there is flow between my desk, my community, students and friends. I pursued this creative career of becoming a writer because that is where my heart and intuition told me to go. It has been sweet to not have any division in terms of what I do and who I am and what I love. That being said through the process I describe above, I have also come to the understanding that all things done with awareness and intention are creative and a channel for self understanding. Mopping floors or stacking wood can be creative if done with the simple intention of being present with the moment. I am now writing a second book and creating an online program about kundalini yoga and alleviating anxiety and it feels like it is just flowing easily, for which I am most thankful. So long answer to this question – the short answer is that I didn’t choose this creative career- it came to me/opened up for me when I was ready and able to be.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
As a life coach I specialize in helping people with integration and so writing and publishing a book about integration really helped people find me. Right now I’m most excited about my second book and online course I am creating to help people deal with anxiety. Its been a very stressful year and people are really struggling to cope and I have tools from my years of practicing and then becoming a teacher in kundalini yoga that can help. I also have tools from other lineages/modalitites which tie in nicely with the yoga. I’m excited to update my business from focusing on integration to focusing on integration and helping with anxiety. This is a new area and I know that the tools I share are practical and can really help folks. I want the world to know that I am pretty down to earth and practical, starting with the basic premise of being grounded and centered. Teaching people how to access and listen to their own internal/eternal wisdom and truth is the most important part of my work and so its not so much about me telling anyone anything – its about helping people come to their own understandings. The most powerful healer is the one healing herself and I am committed to my own path and continue to do my own deep inner work.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I like nature and so would probably head up to the mountains for a hike or camping trip. I think the Denver Botanical Gardens is a great place to spend a day. I love the Denver Art museum. There are so many good restarurants in Denver but for sure I would take her for Tacos and Margaritas at least once at Comida.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate this Shoutout to all the people in my life who have helped me learn to be me. In particular all of the clients and friends who have supported my transition into becoming a full time author, yoga teacher and life coach. Particular thanks to my book coach Dr. Angela Lauria who helped me get over what seemed like insurmountable writer’s block and actually write my book, publish it and experience it becoming a #1 bestseller on Amazon.

Website: www.devaarani.conm
Instagram: devaarani
Linkedin: Deva Arani
Facebook: Deva Arani or my page Integration Alchemy

Image Credits
Christine Brown Photography