RUBY MACSAI-GOREN (she/her)
My relationship to yoga has changed greatly throughout my life, much like the oscillation of the practice itself. I was first introduced to yoga over ten years ago in high school gym, a space filled with shame for me. I harbored the false impression that that my body would not be welcomed into a yoga space and that movement would never be playful or joyful for me. I returned to my mat during lockdown as an attempt to gain some level of connection back to my body and a breath during a particularly challenging time. Searching for a community centering inclusion and justice alongside asana, I began practicing almost daily at JPCY (and may have seen you on the couch!). As I develop my yoga practice, I've learned new tools to be present in my body, care for myself and my community, and explore physical and mental challenge by choice. After completing my 200 hour YTT here at JPCY, I am deeply indebted to my teachers and the studio for their wisdom and stewardship of yoga.
Off the mat, I am a former higher education administrator and current graduate student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. My professional interests include leadership, organizational behavior, equitable policy development, higher education accessibility, and training pedagogy. When not practicing yoga, I'm probably knitting or searching for Boston's best dairy-free pastry.
What to Expect in my Classes:
My biggest wish for you is that yoga creates a sliver of space for you to experience your body and breath, seek joy in movement, and feel affirmed exactly as you are. I approach teaching through a trauma-informed lens. You can expect a Forrest-inspired vinyasa/flow class with consistent return to the breath, including opportunities to move at your own pace and offerings of multiple pose variations. Class will always be weight neutral, and all bodies are welcome. I encourage you to share feedback about your experience with me at any time; you are an equal part of the space we co-create.