ar·ca·na
/ärˈkānə/ - noun
Secrets or Mysteries
A supposed great secret of nature that the alchemists sought to discover
Our Mission
Here at Arcana, our goal is to honor our roots, and we take our role in the community seriously. We offer healing because we emerged from our own.
Arcana was built from hard work, love, faith & service. And so, we are committed to a few essential values:
Giving back to the recovery community.
Overdose deaths in Maine are still on the rise. We’ve lost yoga students at Arcana to overdose and incarceration- AND we’ve built this community on recovery and redemption. That’s why we offer discounted yoga classes to individuals on all paths of recovery. We make regular charitable contributions to two local nonprofits aiding this community: Sea Change Yoga and The Family Restored. Mention that you are in recovery to our front desk for $4 off any yoga class and sliding scale options for bodywork. And, we commit to hiring individuals in recovery and who have been incarcerated or have criminal records that might prevent hire elsewhere.
A constant re-evaluation and energy towards social justice.
We believe conversations about healing must include social justice. This is why we also commit to hiring and training individuals whenever possible in the LGBTQ* community, BIPOC community, refugees, survivors of trauma, individuals with diverse bodies, people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, new parents and more. Our yoga teacher training includes content on appropriation, privilege, social justice, diversity and ally-ship. We also commit to doing more, learning more, looking inward and trying harder.
Being trauma-informed.
Our yoga teachers recognize that trauma affects up to 70 percent of the population and perhaps more. That’s why our yoga instructors are explicit when it comes to touch and emphasize consent. We also hire trauma informed body-workers available for massage and energy work.
Aiming to appreciate and not appropriate.
In an industry that utilizes tools from around the world and all too often appropriates them, we commit to supporting healers who honor the roots of the practices they utilize and teach. We also commit to constantly checking in on language and action to honor original cultures.
Arcana’s WORKERS are the heart of our community
That’s why in 2021, we transitioned to an employee- owned company.
Meet the Owners
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Jennie Joan
Executive Director - she/they
In 2014, Jennie hit a bottom. Her life hadn’t fallen completely apart from drug and alcohol use. She was teaching yoga & going to school - but she was losing dignity and hope daily. Her heart was aching for more joy and less shameful mornings, desperate pleas, and lost relationships. So in June of 2014, Jennie had her last sip of alcohol. And the end of that story was the start of a whole new one: a story of recovery, growth, and deep, inter-generational healing.
Since giving up mind altering substances, diving deeper into yoga and getting help from the recovery community, Jennie has gained a life she never knew possible as a rural Maine- born girl with a family history of addiction and poverty.
She now holds a college degree (and is working towards her masters), a plethora of certifications in yoga and wellness. She owns a yoga school with ver 60 graduates in over 4 years, a shop in the Old Port, a healing arts center, an has an incredible team, in addition to her two beautiful children.
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Avril Williams
Co-Owner - she/her
Avril has been called a Jill-of-all-trades as she is not only certified to teach yoga, but is also a studio artist, art educator, philanthropist, entrepreneur, designer, and avid international traveler.
In fact it was on her first solo, travel journey abroad that she found yoga, changing her life path. Divinely ending up on a small island in Thailand, she fell in love with the practice and its spiritual benefits, so much so that she immediately flew to Bali, and eventually Costa Rica, to continue its exploration. Avril later graduated with her 200-hour certification from Island Yoga in Aruba under the mentorship of Rachel Brathen and Lara Heimann.
She has since started several businesses and, in addition to her role at Arcana, works as Director of Marketing. Mindful elements of creativity fill all areas of her life work.
Avril also holds a B.A. in Art Education and has completed trainings in social justice, teaching mindfulness to children and yoga support for addiction recovery. She also enjoys making pottery, hiking, going on serendipitous adventures with her partner, writing, and learning new skills.