Jane…

I started yoga with Jane in 2003 at the local gym. I stepped into her yoga class and had no idea what to expect.  I was hooked from the first downward dog.  It wasn’t just yoga, it was Jane. 

She taught from the heart. She loved yoga and believed in the benefits for your body, mind and soul.  Yoga was her passion and she wanted everyone to experience yoga.  She believed in its ability to  change your life. Jane was articulate, eloquent and expressive, each word carefully chosen to enhance the pose. She had a way of expressing herself through yoga that spoke directly to the situation you were facing in life. She understood  that our practice on the mat manifested itself into our life off the mat. 

I wasn’t the only one who felt this gratitude about my Harley riding yoga teacher.  She had a following of people from all different walks of life.  She opened her own studio in her house and we were greeted with her fellow instructors Orbit and Reba – her beloved dogs.  Her space was serene with a beautiful  turquoise blue floor that resembled the ocean. I knew going to Jane’s for yoga would always leave me refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to face the day.  It wasn’t just yoga, it was Jane’s yoga. 

Time passes and life delivers some heavy blows. I just found out that my teacher Jane is taking her last breaths. I’m still shocked by the news and am having trouble comprehending that my lively, energetic friend is slipping away.  Her hope is that she made a difference in people’s life with yoga.  That takes my breath away, of course she did! Jane not only taught me yoga, she taught me how to live. Her desire to share her passion for yoga helped me through the ups and downs of life. She taught me how my practice on the mat translates to how I live my life off the mat 

Jane touched so many people, more then she could ever imagine. I am Yoga by Joni because of Jane. In every class I teach, every word I speak, Jane is there. I hope I can be as inspirational as her. 

Thank you Jane for your beautiful gift of yoga and friendship.