JAYA SAVITA AIYER (she/her)
My journey with yoga started before I fully knew what "yoga" meant. As a young child growing up in an Indian American household, my grandfather would wake up early in the morning to do his exercises. His routine included what I now know were Sun Salutations, headstands, and savasana. At the time, I thought my grandfather was just being silly! I would mimic his headstands, piling pillows in the corner and attempt to copy him. Or when he was in savasana, assuming he had simply fallen asleep, I would poke and prod him to wake up. My grandfather instilled in me the importance of two core Hindu philosophies: dharma, one's path, and karuna, compassion for all. Only years later, I realized he was my first yoga guru.
I've practiced yoga on and off since 2010. I started my yoga training in Cambridge at the Breathing Room, where I had the opportunity to also learn Kalaripayattu, a martial arts form from Southern India. After college, I returned home to Boston and found a community in JPCY. I was drawn to and continue to love JPCY's commitment to making movement practices more accessible and inclusive. As of May 2024, I completed my 200 RYT with JPCY where I had the opportunity to delve into anatomy, alignment, sequencing, and philosophy.
Outside the studio, I have trained in Bharatanatyam, a style originating from Tamil Nadu in Southern India, for over 20 years and continue to perform around the Boston area. I am also a community organizer where my work focuses on progressive, working class AAPI-solidarity building across the Commonwealth. As an instructor and facilitator, I hope to bring a deeper awareness of body, energy, and the modality of movement. I aspire to create a space with participants which moves beyond the student-teacher dynamic and towards mutual love and acceptance for all.