Zionsville local writes book about yoga and spirituality • Current Publishing

Sally Bassett knows how to keep her center.

Bassett, a Zionsville resident, began her career at age 20 as a flight attendant for ATA Airlines in Indianapolis and then worked her way up over the course of 30 years to become CEO of the former airline’s Ambassadair Travel Club.

With the club, she led tour groups to over 120 countries. But she knew she wanted to do more.

“After 9/11 (2001), during that crazy time, I decided to just do yoga for fun and as a way to relax,” she said. “I opened my own studio.”

Bassett opened a yoga studio in Eagle Creek Park. She earned her doctorate in tourism from Purdue University in 2005. That same year, she founded the Peace Through Yoga Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to create impact through international yoga, adventure and service retreats, focusing on empowering girls and women in the destinations they visit and serve.

“At the end of my career at the airline, what I enjoyed most was organizing trips where (the participants) experienced yoga, adventure and service,” Bassett said. “For example, we went to Costa Rica and did zip-lining and white-water rafting, but we also did yoga in the rainforest and then helped the local people. We even built a school in Costa Rica.”

Bassett leads four to six trips each year with the foundation. Her experiences inspired her to write a book called Spiritual Transformational Yoga, published by Christian Faith Publishing.

“I love yoga and I love what it does for you,” Bassett said. “People come to the mat for physical reasons, to tone their muscles or improve their flexibility. But when they stick with it, they discover it’s so much more. It’s calming, it’s peaceful.”

Bassett said the book contains everything she knows and wants to share about yoga, from the physical benefits to – as the title suggests – the spiritual transformation that comes from this centuries-old practice.

“Of the eight limbs of yoga – like a tree – only one is about the physical,” she said. “The others are ethical, social and personal, and then you get on the mat and do the physical poses. Then you start doing the breath work and then it’s about going inward and connecting to a higher source.”

Bassett said yoga can provide a path to inner peace, a concept she conveys in her book. Her book analyzes yoga poses and postures, but also delves into meditation, spirituality, balance and healing.

“Ultimately, yoga is for everyone,” she said. “It strengthens your faith, whatever that is for you. (Yoga) is not a religion – it supports your religion. It takes you to a place where you are closer to God. The people who come to my classes have an intention, whether it’s joy or spiritual IQ.”

Bassett teaches yoga and Pilates at Blooming Life in Zionsville.

“I love this community,” she said. “I’m truly living my best life. I love leading small groups and changing lives.”

“Spiritual Transformational Yoga” is available in paperback from Black Dog Books and on Amazon.

Learn more about the Peace Through Yoga Foundation at peacethroughyoga.org.