Leaving Jewel

I will be leaving Jewel Yoga after the end of the summer term in September. That practice room has been a study and refuge for so long I think I can hear the walls quietly chanting. I’ve known many of you for all those decades, and we’ve grown in knowledge and confidence as we worked together, relying on one another for information, encouragement, and companionship. How can I think of leaving?

Change is hard, and yet Patanjali’s Sutras don’t say anything about it. Properly speaking, nothing exists but change. In Hinduism, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva are the three deities of existence: creation, preservation, and destruction. The Trimurti. We know the truth of birth and death—bodies change, minds change, the world changes. But often, we can manage things so that the conditions of our daily lives stay stable. That stability is a firm support in some circumstances; in others, it can become stagnation.

If you’ve come to my classes, you might know that I like to mix things up and try new ways. While all my knowledge of asana has come entirely from the Iyengar tradition, I have always sought the cross-pollination of other perspectives. Especially as I age, especially because it IS hard, it’s time for me to seek new ideas and partnerships. While it is frightening to face the unknown, for me, learning often comes from surprising sources.

I want to acknowledge my debt to those influences outside of Iyengar Yoga™. First, thanks to my students over the years. They are always showing me what works and what doesn’t. Teaching people with multiple sclerosis taught me that when directive language (do this) fails, evocative language (feel this, imagine this) may get fine results. That sort of language has become an increasingly important tool for me.

I also need to thank my late horse Bicho. By nature, I am a skeptic. For some time, I wondered if the idea of prana (energy or the lifeforce) was mostly a helpful visualization tool or an actual force. Bicho told me that prana was absolutely real; he clearly felt and responded to these subtle energies. I had the great good fortune to partner with that smart and athletic horse for 19 years. His response to prana spurred me (pun intended) to read all I could about chakras and the subtle body. That’s a messy subject for research, mostly consisting of esoteric ancient texts from the kundalini tradition and modern new age psychology. With Bicho there to sharpen my sensitivity and keep me real, I spent over a decade testing and incorporating the information. The other major influence on my teaching is Patanjali’s yoga sutras. More than a philosophy to be contemplated, the Sutras serve as a practical guide for my daily practice and teaching and for the reexaminations that bring me so much satisfaction.

Those discoveries were accidental, and they give me confidence. Scary as it is, I honor Shiva, that lord of endings, as I set myself adrift in the unpredictable currents of change.

My miscellaneous path has yielded joy and discovery for more than thirty years, and I look forward to bringing my varied background to Root Whole Body, a wellness center on NW Quimby. There, I will be working in the same center as naturopaths, acupuncturists, and massage therapists—a whole new source of varied influences. I’m so excited to see where it takes me! Beginning in late September or October, I plan to teach two regular classes a week plus the occasional short-form workshop series. Stay posted for all the details.

Jewel will always have a special place in my heart. Just as your bright faces will always be before me, maybe my voice will stay in your ear. Nothing is ever really over; what we’ve shared stays with us forever and multiplies as we share with others.

With love,

Jane