A look back from Hilary
It seems hard to believe it was only ten years ago and at the same time it’s difficult to remember a time before Jaya.
I am inspired every day by our incredible students, dedicated teachers and supportive community.
When I called my mother from Los Angeles after 14 years in the entertainment business and told her I wanted to move back East to open a yoga/Pilates studio, she thought I lost my mind and made me talk to my high school guidance counselor. After said counselor assured her of my sanity, it was full steam ahead. Thanks Mr. M.
While I gathered information, planned and researched, I confided my plans to a bestie who told me I didn’t know anything about running a business. I disagreed. I felt my 14 years in the heart of the entertainment business was sufficient training. While there was no guarantee Jaya would make it through the first year, I felt compelled to build it nonetheless.
Her words stayed with me though, so I sought out a partner. The partnership was short lived and within 6 months Jaya was my ship to sail or sink. It’s not who you think you are that holds you back, but who you think you aren’t. Isn’t that the truth. My entertainment career had laid the groundwork and I did in fact know how to run a business. By the end of year one, Jaya Yoga was a force of nature. Classes were growing and the community was welcoming, supportive and excited. As Jaya evolved, so did I. Learning what worked and what didn’t both on my mat and off.
The next few years Jaya’s community grew and we began more community events, collaborations and fundraisers. Yoga on the Roof was born as well as Kids Yoga Camp and our signature Yoga + Farm to Table collaborations with Donna Fitzgerald Vannan. Jaya began hosting book signings, wellness talks and yoga parties. As our offerings grew so did the relationships within the studio. People cheering each other’s accomplishments, going for coffee after class or scrabble get togethers became the norm at Jaya.
By year five, many dedicated students wanted to learn more so we began offering a yoga teacher training. Our sweet little yoga studio was busting at the seams! In year six I began scouting out places to expand. Because I did not want to leave the heart of Clarks Summit, options were slim.
In year seven and eight we continued to expand and develop our offerings. This included a collaboration with Glen Oak offering yoga for golfers, kids’ yoga and aqua yoga in the pool and with a new fleet of paddleboards a floating studio too! In January of 2019 Jaya Daily was born; an online studio giving students an opportunity to practice anywhere, anytime from any device. Little did I know at the time what a lifesaver our online studio would come to be.
We were at the height of our game when 2020 hit and hit hard. Thankfully the online studio had close to 200 pre-taped classes and livestream options available so we were able to adapt pretty seamlessly to our new online world. But we missed each other. So, a weekly zoom meet up was born. As the weather warmed up, yoga outdoors became a priority. We were able to host our annual Yoga on the Roof event while a little smaller and socially distant, we were able to pull it off and practice together. Soon after, we began doing yoga outside thanks to the generosity of Camelot Restaurant and Inn.
The Summer momentum inspired me to knock down a few walls and make Jaya a larger one room studio so we could re-open our doors. With the weather getting colder daily, I knew we weren’t going to make it through the winter in our location and began weighing the options. I felt there were two choices, either close the studio permanently or see 2020 as an opportunity. Did I want to survive or thrive?
Go big or go home I always say, so we relocated, expanded and opened our doors to Maximum Zen; a café owned and operated by the uniquely and fantastically talented Donna Fitzgerald Vannan. Jaya is now truly a collective of wellness innovators and practitioners.
So much life has happened in the past ten years. Especially this past year. It takes time to become what you already are. Running a yoga studio is much like one’s own practice: every day is different, it’s simple, not easy, but always worth it. Yoga asks us to live in the moment we are in and experience it; whatever “it” is. Life is a roller coaster of sorts, ups/downs, highs/lows, once you’re buckled in you have two choices; scream to get off or enjoy the ride. And I’ve never enjoyed a ride more.
One line doesn’t make the greatest movie. Nor does one scene. It’s the whole story. All the moments captured and woven together is what makes the greatest film. See you in another ten years friends.