Who we are

Aeaea (pronounced ah-EE-uh) is a mythical island in Homer’s epic, Odyssey, where Odysseus and his crew encounter the powerful witch, Circe. It is a beautiful and magical place, symbolizing transformation and the boundary between things known and things unknown.

Shelves of Aeaea is a bookstore, herbal apothecary, and movement studio.

The bookstore focuses on unconventional and special interest subjects such as Spirituality and Philosophy, Natural Wellness, Romance and Erotica, and World View topics.

The herbal apothecary offers dried herbs, tea blends, and natural wellness and lifestyle products.

Beyond the retail space, Shelves of Aeaea provides private lessons and group classes in yoga, meditation, and breathwork. We also host regular workshops in herbalism, yoga-related studies, and spiritual practices, as well as many community connection events.

Aeaea is the culmination of a lifetime of study in personal wellness, including movement and yoga, herbalism, meditation, breathwork, and psychological well-being. Shelves of Aeaea, a sanctuary for the embodiment of wisdom and wellness, was born of the pursuit of purpose and a calling to support others’ journey into healing and self-awareness.

Aeaea is a space of acceptance and inspiration for those interested in personal growth and self-exploration. We believe that access to information is key to understanding ourselves, one another, and our world.

At Aeaea, we believe in the value of a judgment-free community space and will offer social events that bring together people of diverse backgrounds in common personal exploration, such as book clubs, art showings, and educational classes in joyful and healthy living.

Two hands, one with tattoos, are sorting and processing dried herbs over a wooden table, with a dark wooden bowl and loose herbs nearby.

Meet the Team

Shelves of Aeaea is operated by a partnership of sisters. One is a yoga instructor, herbalist, and wellness coach. The other is a published author and lifelong bibliophile.

Owner
Angelique Sandas is a lifelong student of movement and the interconnectedness of mind body and spirit. She received her B.A. in dance from the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1999, having studied courses including anatomy, kinesiology, and movement pedagogy.
In 2003, Angelique traveled to Thailand to study yoga asana with Paul Dallaghan in the Ashtanga yoga system as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and received her teaching certification. She also studied pranayama and yogic philosophy with Sri O.P. Tiwari of the Kaivalyadhama Institute, India and received advanced anatomy and adjustment training from David Keil of Miami, Florida.
While in Miami Beach, Angelique worked closely in the Ashtanga method with her teacher and mentor, Kino MacGregor, as well as Tim Feldmann and Greg Nardi at Miami Life Center. She has made several visits since 2007 to study with the head of the Ashtanga yoga lineage in Mysore, India. During her 2011 visit to study in Mysore, India, Angelique received Authorization to teach Ashtanga Yoga from Paramaguru R. Sharath Jois, the most recent Ashtanga Yoga lineage holder.
Angelique recently returned to university to complete a second bachelor’s degree program, receiving a B.A. in Health Science with a Mental and Behavioral Health Concentration at Florida Atlantic University. This education provides a basis for wellness coaching. She begins a Master’s degree program in Integrative Health Therapies at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in Fall 2025.
Angelique has also received herbalism training with renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, giving her a foundation of knowledge in plant healing and natural wellness.
Learn more about Angelique and Ashtanga Yoga on her website:
www.angeliqueashtanga.com

Manager
Amy Bird has been a voracious reader all her life. Her interest in the written word led her to earn a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. While in college, she worked at two different bookstores. One at an outlet center and one at the Mall of America, each of which provided a wide range of experiences within the bookselling business.
After graduating in 1999, she focused on her own writing. Though it had always been a dream to become an author, Amy understood the hard work it takes to make that dream a reality. Writing every morning before her day job, she earned an agent with her second finished manuscript and sold her third manuscript to a publisher in 2010. The novel debuted in 2012, and she has released a total of twenty-five works since with two different publishers as well as independently. She has four new books scheduled to release in the first half of 2026.
As a member of the national organization, Romance Writers of America, she chaired an annual state writer's conference, which brought in writers from our region and beyond, along with various industry professionals from leading agencies and publishers. She has been active in a local branch of RWA since 2010 and has created lasting relationships with many authors and independent bookstores around our state and beyond.
For the last few years, Amy has worked as a bookseller for the local Barnes & Noble bookstore. As a Senior Bookseller, she has keyholding duties which include being in charge of store opening and closing, some staff management, and daily scheduling, ordering, stocking, displays, and customer service. She is also the store's business developer who assists with ordering for local school and business accounts. She is trained to assist in the cafe and is the lead on organizing the author signing events at the store.
As a reader, author, and bookseller, Amy maintains a strong connection to current and long-lasting trends among readers and booksellers.
Learn more about Amy and her books on her website:
www.amysandas.com

Aeaea in the News

“Shelves of Aeaea is an ambitious business model designed to break down barriers and welcome those interested in wellness practices — whether that’s reading, moving, or healing.”