I have received several notes about John Schumacher’s announcement of the closing of Unity Woods Yoga Center’s ‘brick-and-mortar’ operations.
The first thought that came to my mind was: what a rite of passage. Think about it. Unity Woods has been fostering the practice of Iyengar Yoga for forty years! What an amazing accomplishment.
The first emotion that came to mind was love.
First, I love yoga. For those of you who have practiced with me, studied with me, know there is no need for an explanation on the ways I hold yoga in my heart and how that love spill over into my practice and teaching. love my teacher John, for so many reasons: for one, he offered a path for me to follow the profound teachers of B.K.S Iyengar. For over two decades, I have studied with John, and he has opened is heart and mind, himself personally and shared his knowledge of Iyengar Yoga, which seeped through me personally and guide me professionally. I could go on and on, but I think you get the sense of my love and gratitude to John. I love the teachers that I have practiced and studied with for all these years. These amazing teachers who have also shared their lives, their families, their knowledge, and their commitment to the transformative path of yoga.
I love the students. I have learned so much from them, as I know they have learned from me. As John mentioned in his letter, I too have seen laughter and tears, birth and death, sickness and health, marriage and beyond, enduring friendships, and so much more.
The two wings of yoga are practice abhyāsa and detachment, vairāgya. Now, I won’t take too much time looking back. To practice non-attachment to the security that Unity Woods has provided. There are so many unknowns ahead of us. With online yoga, we all have to dig deep. I say that Iyengar Yoga is a yoga of personal responsibility, and now practicing at home, you must be accountable to yourself. And, we can hope that in-person classes will resume sometime in the future. But let’s celebrate the present. Be present with our selves. Practice! Let the transformative power of yoga on the body, breath, mind, and spirit continue to steep within you. John is still here teaching. I’m still here teaching. Many of the Unity Woods Teachers are still teaching. Seek what you need from within. It is there for you to grow and expand.
Peace and light,
Lori
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