Our Story

How it started

ANNA OGINSKY, FOUNDER, HEART CONNECTED

I became an unexpected student of grief as a result of the sudden loss of my father in 2010. As I explored grief and grieving, I found relief and healing in writing, yoga, meditation, and making art.

In their book On Grief and Grieving, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler say, “WHAT IS LEFT UNGRIEVED REMAINS STORED IN OUR BODY, HEART, AND SOUL.”

That resonated in every cell of my body.

As I grieved my dad, other heartwrenching experiences of loss and trauma that I had neglected to grieve throughout my life, rose to the surface—calling for my attention.

At the same time, as I wrote and made art, I began to observe a number of parallels between the creative process and the grieving process. Both involved a particular level of transformation—taking a person, or a thing, from what it is to what it would become as a result of the process.

The many layers, textures, and tools involved in mixed media art drew me in. The more I cut, painted, molded, and colored, the better I felt. I took a number of classes and attended retreats both online and in person to learn more about the healing powers of art.

Like many people, I spent my life looking outside myself for validation, or assurance that what I was doing was what was expected of me and that I was on the “right” track. In making art, writing, practicing yoga, and meditating, I relearned, or remembered, the truth about my true authority—it was inside me all along.

I committed to sharing what I learned through creativity, breath, asana (yoga poses), stillness, and grief, knowing that if it resonated (and helped) me, it would do the same for others. I called it Heart Connected.

A Bit More About Anna

Anna Oginsky the author of the award winning books The Soluna’s Way and My New Friend Grief: Reflections on Life and Loss. She holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Humanities from Michigan State University and an MSW from the University of Michigan, School of Social Work. She is also a Reiki Master and Certified Yoga Teacher (RYT-200).

Anna is a writer, artist, and occasional speaker. She has facilitated classes, workshops, and retreats in and around Michigan and in other parts of the country.

She looks forward to connecting with you!