Brooklyn's Progress
December 2006/January 2007

BY HAROLD EGELN

From Brazil to Brooklyn, from poverty to success, motivational speaker and life coach Lygya Maya uses her philosophy of fulfillment and positive life affirmations to inspire people to express what she calls their "inner carnival."

"In my work, I create a climate of integrity and trust in which my clients can achieve outstanding and life transforming success and happiness," said Ms. Maya, a Boerum Hill resident, who recently joined the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

"The Chamber is part of my plan to communicate with other people in the business community," she said. "I offer my services for motivational presentations and seminars, bringing my life experiences and skills as a life coach and 'happiness magnet' into play. I want to give back to Brooklyn, a community which I love, and to America, because coming here has helped me tremendously."

Ms. Maya, who was born Lygya Barreto, says her work then and now originates from her life experiences in the slums of Rio de Janiero where she grew up. She won a dance scholarship and was soon dancing professionally in Brazil and Salvador. She was offered yet another scholarship when Alvin Ailey and his company did its first tour of Brazil. She soon moved to New York City and eventually worked as an instructor with the dance company. Ms. Maya’s 25 years on the U.S. stage have led her to the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Carnegie Hall, the American Museum of Natural History and other famous venues.

Ms. Maya says while living in New York she dealt with the ghosts of living in poverty in Brazil by creating a way to heal herself. This experience, she says, is what led to her work as an alternative healer and motivational coach.

She is now a certified clinical hypnotherapist, master practitioner of neuro-linguistic programming, practitioner of Deep Emotional Release Bodywork, a Reiki and Karuna Ki master and a shamanic practitioner in the manner of the Cleicha Shamans of the Amazon and Andes.

Articles about Ms. Maya's work as a performer and life coach have appeared in the New York Times, New York Daily News and Village Voice. She has also contributed articles to New Life and Creations magazines.

"My presentations focus on overcoming fears and opening the doors to happiness and success," Ms. Maya explained. "I tell of the secrets of success, health and relationships, as I have learned them in life, helping to release the positive energy within ourselves, which I call our 'Inner Carnival.' This helps to create self-confidence and a climate of being accountable for our emotional states with their effects on us and others. We can live in fear or happiness. The choice is ours to make."

Ms. Maya now does work with the famous life coach Tony Robbins and his Anthony Robbins Companies seminars, mentoring and leadership training programs. Her work with him has taken her to destinations across the world including London, Sydney and Singapore.

Ms. Lygya Maya can be contacted at 877-866-1890, or at Lygya@lygyamaya.com and through her Web site, http://www.lygyamaya.com/.