Dear friends, students, and dear Ones,
I have decided to Leave Anusara yoga.
It’s been a wonderful ride and one that has deeply influenced my life in infinite ways; however, I have found myself no longer in alignment with the direction of the organization.
Some of you will be upset with this decision, others will be elated, but one thing I can assure you is that I am not going anywhere. I am still Amy, and will continue in my mission to expand the horizons of yoga, and to teach from my ongoing practice as creatively as I know how, and in doing so, I will not compromise my personal values or commitment.
My calling is to help yoga teachers and practitioners of all styles.
Over the past several years I have developed professional programs for yoga teachers that are helping to bring more students to the mat. I am proud that these programs have helped equip thousands of our prized yoga teachers around the world with the tools to serve students better.
My move from Anusara Yoga will allow me to best serve students and teachers from all schools, and I am committed to doing so with the integrity they deserve.
I know that the world will be a better place with more yoga practitioners, and my dedication to this goal will always continue.
Thank you so much for being a part of my life and for your presence in yoga.
I can’t wait for what the future will bring, and to practice with you in this New Year!
Be the light,
Amy
Congratulations for being bold enough to make a tough decision and to take a leap of faith. I wish you the best of luck on your journey! You are an inspiration!
Hey Tiffany, thank you so much for your support. Let’s keep leaping. xox Amy
love and respect!
Love you, Noah-ji!
Congrats Amy and good luck with all your ventures, you have been super influential to me and will continue to do so in whatever style of yoga you teach!
Thanks, Jane. What a sweet thing to say – let’s stay in touch for sure!
How is the direction of the organization out of alignment with your own vision. I feel that this is an important thing to share with people who have been your students and who have also been students of Anusara yoga. I, myself, have been through an Anusara teacher training. I’m interested in hearing the reasons behind your leaving Anusara.
I agree with Meg! With such a rush of big-name Anusara teachers out the door, I think this clarity would be part of respecting the students who have studied this methodology with these teachers over the years. I think it can be done in a way that respects privacy, while also respecting the fact that sharing such wisdom is part of being a leader. If there is anything changing, or being different, or a minor schism occurring, there’s a way to tell students without being disrespectful. It seems almost MORE dramatic to not be clear about it, if that makes sense.
Anyways, much luck and love to you, Amy, on your new journey. I look forward to seeing how it unfolds, and know that anyone who studies with you will be honored to be around your brightness and spirit.
Well put, and I agree wholeheartedly. It does make it more dramatic to not state the case, and I think it is more respectful to all concerned to make the effort to explain the change in a way honors all.
Hi Meg, Audra and Gabriela,
There are personal and professional reasons why I left. Things came to head to the point where I had to depart immediately. I gave 14 years of my life in dedication to the organization and some drastic events unfolded that created this change. The personal reasons are not for me to share at this time but did cause a significant rift.
The professional reason pertains to the business direction. The current direction is not what I signed up for and as the organization moves toward more restrictions it has become more difficult to teach freely. Leaving was the most honorable thing I could do given everything these restrictions. The goal here is to teach yoga unencumbered.
I will write more soon.
Thank you for writing.
xo
Thanks Amy for sharing. I too am curious about what has been happening with Anusara master teachers that have lead to departure. Totally respect privacy, but it does make me wonder whether the heart is right to follow or not. The UPA’s and teaching methodology are a great fit for me however for a safe and celebrating practice. I hope you find happiness in your new path and can also perhaps share at some point what leads you.
love- joy
I agree with Meg. I am disappointed and saddened with this current upheaval and feeling loss of community. It only leaves us to guess: what could Anusara be doing that’s no longer in alignment with something you and thousands of your students have invested in? We invested in you to teach us Anusara. Who’s next? I’m now afraid to sign up for anyone’s trainings.
There are personal and professional reasons why I left. Things came to head to the point where I had to depart immediately. I gave 14 years of my life in dedication to the organization and some drastic events unfolded that created this change. The personal reasons are not for me to share at this time but did cause a significant rift.
The professional reason pertains to the business direction. The current direction is not what I signed up for and as the organization moves toward more restrictions it has become more difficult to teach freely. Leaving was the most honorable thing I could do given everything these restrictions. The goal here is to teach yoga unencumbered.
I will write more soon.
Thank you for writing.
xo
Closing one door always opens another, and wherever you go, I will be there too.
You rock – I almost titled the blog this, since it’s what my mother always said…
Congratulations on continuing to follow your heart!
The path is an unwinding, fascinating mystery – always taking us in unexpected directions.
Afterall, the meaning of yoga is to give us the tools to identify our TRUTH and the COURAGE to follow it – unabashedly.
Rock on, sister!
Amazing Grace.
Love, Ash
Ash – you rule. Big love.
Amy, I am new to your blog and videos and I have only taken Anusara yoga class a few times. I practice Bikram, hatha, vinyasa, yin, you name it baby! It’s all good! I know first hand the limitations that a particular lineage or “type” of yoga can create, and for some people some of the time this can be a welcome limitation in the same way that structured classrooms help most children to thrive in their educational and social development. “Leaving” a school of yoga to broaden my influence and my journey was an easy decision but not without its consequences. We all bend this way, that way. I will always have roots but they are growing! I’m so happy that you branched out, allowing your roots to spread wider and grow deeper into the yoga soil that is spreading all over this planet. I might never have become part of your community if you hadn’t. And, it is a great service you do for everyone when you follow your heart and create ripples of liberation and growth beyond what you may have imagined ever being possible. Love. You know it.
Wow – thank you so much!
Wishing you the best Amy in all your travels! I wish I lived close so I could go to your classes! much love!
Big love! Thank you.
Deep Breath. Aligning your Heart is what I support you in…this says it all “My calling is to help yoga teachers and practitioners of all styles.” I’m sending you love.
Thank you, Mer! Big hugs.
simple, elegant, honest and to the point. you rock and i love you.
I love you more! Thanks, girl.
Look forward to seeing what develops for you Amy!
To quote my friend Christina Sell, “It’s gonna be great!” Thanks so much.
Congratulations Amy!! All happiness to you!! I love your classes – and will continue to love your classes.
YAY! Thanks, Mary Ann!
Amy, I have missed going on retreat with you and hope to do so again soon. Wherever you go and whatever you do, If I go, you will be there, and that’s all that matters to me. I loved meeting your Mom and you made me feel that yoga was still a worthwhile endeavor after a very bad experience that, while not about the practice of yoga, happened at another yoga retreat. I wish you the best of luck in this new direction. Love Kathy
Thanks, Kathleen! Hope to have you on retreat again soon too! You are so much fun. So glad you got to meet my mom (she loved reading that BTW). I’m so glad that you kept believing in yoga! Hugs, A
Love & respect…
Best wishes.
Looking forward to seeing you in the future.
Thank you, girl. Can’t wait to see you next. Big love.
Love & respect…
Best wishes & look forward to seeing you in the future.
I love you Amy. You changed my perspective and my life. Your gifts are too large to be contained or defined by any one specific style of yoga. You are bold, brave and fearless. You rock my world.
I love you more, Dianne! I love this, cherish it x1008. So proud and happy to know you, sweet One. <3
[...] Amy’s complete message posted on her blog: Dear friends, students, and dear [...]
Amy, We love you here in South Carolina. Your teaching and your books have meant so much to us. I am teaching from one of your books right now. Please keep in touch with us.
Jemme
And I love you!
I’m friends with Darren and Christina, and many others. I congratulate you on your decision. Facebook won’t let me “friend” you because they have decided how many friends one may have. I feel we are friends anyway. Namaste.
Thank you so much – Sorry about the friend limit thing. Have you liked my professional page yet? That is where all the action is anyway. Happy to be friends!
It is heartening to Know that you have placed integrity over profit and fame. Life gives us junctures in the road which necessitate choices, you have chosen wisely. Wisdom, integrity and Yoga are integral. Love, Carol
Carol! Thank you so much for this – beautifully said. It captures it all. You are a dear friend and soul. Love you. xoxox A
Amy, I wish you the best. Follow your heart, open to the intuitive whisper of the Universe and follow your heart. Thanks for all you’ve been for me in our limited time together on 90-min to change the world.
Thank you so much, Diane! You are amazing….
WOW, congratulations! You rock!
Thanks!
xoxox
Amy, I have enjoyed your teachings and your spirit. I hope so to see you soon again somewhere along the path.
Andra
Many thanks, Andra!
Somewhere over the rainbow
. Namaste
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
After all it is all a Journey.
Looking forward to learning and practicing together again soon
Love it – great hearing your voice today, BTW! See you in April – woohoo!
much honor to you, Amy. seems to me that following your own heart & counsel means you are in alignment with your own truth–which is what it’s all about, right? sending you light & joy
YES!!!! Much love and appreciation…
Congrats on honoring your heart!
Thanks! xo
I’m sure this will be a quantum leap for you and all that you serve. Thank you for being you Amy. Still Love you and what share joyously with or without your labels.
Many thanks!
I completely understand this as I have found this same mind. Good luck
Rock on, George! Thank you.
As always, you forge ahead on a path toward greater freedom with us ecstatically curious spirits following along. I’m excited to see where we are headed next. Big love to you.
Indeed!! The future is bright. Love you, girl. So glad I got to see you recently too.
I noticed right away Christina and Darren having “School of Yoga” branding thing happening already. And Amy just this week promoting her teacher training with videos, FB and tweets. It appears that the “dharmic differences” could be just that these teachers feel they are now big enough they don’t need Anusara. People will study with them no matter what. The irony is though, let’s not forget that these 4 teachers hung in there and set aside “dharmic differences” until they were established enough to move on. Basicallly, I feel they used Anusara until it was no longer benefit to them, and realized, hey, I can do this on my own. And Amy, unlike Christina’s, you forgot to thank John Friend.
Recently it was Darren and Christina’s immersions and trainings that are over-filled to the point they don’t have the ability to make any sincere connection with their students. I observe the teachers staying in the system are not trying to maximize enrollment, they are still concerned with the quality and intimate connection.
Keep it real, girlfriend.
Anusara is this empowering…that many are getting to the point of feeling very independent. O.K. that is great if that is the case…but I agree with SM and others about the need for Amy to be more clear about why you are leaving this community. We are all standing and holding the fort, so to speak. Transparency is of utmost importance.
May you continue uplifted through the journey, Amy!
eliot
This just might be the only appropriate response I’ve read so far. Over a decade of being a leader of the teachings of Anusara Yoga and on one sentence you’re done? You’re no longer in alignment with the organization? Care to elaborate? What kind of yoga well you be teaching? I find out hard to believe you won’t be teaching the same way that you’ve been teaching and you owe that to John Friend to whom you did not acknowledge, honor out recognize. I don’t see the integrity here.
Dear Jadon,
I sent a separate letter to Mr. Friend with my message to him. I have given my all to Anusara. BTW-I have other yoga credentials as well and am now free to fully use my repertoire☺
Dear “S.M.” Gabriela -
Wow…bummed to hear about your interpretation. I don’t know if we have ever met, so perhaps you don’t know me or my character – therefore I could see how you could make the automatic assumption that we had an agenda.
However, so you know – I’ve given the majority of my adult life to serving the organization and would not have left without something significant influencing my decision.
As I mentioned above there are private reasons that I can’t share now and professional reasons that created too many problems for teaching and creating freely. I think it is right that people are questioning why we are leaving. This is not about money or fame.
Instead of judging me, I invite you to look at yourself and why you are making these assumptions.
Nothing but love,
Amy
Dear Amy
Thank you for leaving Anusara. It is such a fabulous system but it is also very limiting on certain levels. I personally find the Anusara interpretation of Tantric teachings too prescriptive and in the light of Leela, Universal Principles of Alignment are not 100% possible. Anusara is a great way to start to go deep but there is SO much more. I have been moving towards Anusara Inspired but find that I want to use Anusara as a foundation to teach yoga rather than an exclusive model. I am thankful for the fabulous teachers breaking from the system because you are giving me role-models to follow. I love Anusara but do not want to be contained by exclusivity. I need to have guides in how to do that. Best of luck with the shift into whatever comes next.
Thank you Tanya – I promise to do my best in being a guide. Hope to see you at an event soon!
Wow. I have to be honest that your email shocked me a little. I mean, I do understand and respect your decision. You are a great teacher. I learned so much during 90 Minutes and the follow up trainings.
But I want to be honest and admit that teachers like you and Elena leaving Anusara is disconcerting to me.
I am relatively new to Anusara and I am in the midst of the immersions. I love the style and I feel like I have found “my” style finally. The community is amazing. Of course I do not have the same inside and knowledge as you and other long-time certified teachers or students. And that is maybe why the recent situation makes me wonder and question. What is so “disturbing” about Anusara Yoga that such great teachers are leaving? How is it so incompatible with your values? Or plainly put, what is wrong with Anusara?
On the other hand you come to a style not because of the style itself (at first at least) but because of the teacher and the way they bring the teachings across. That was certainly my case. I discovered Anusara Yoga through Neesha and then a lot through you and Elena. So that means that I will still follow you, no matter what. Even with all my questions.
Thank you, Amy!
Hi “MH” – I hear you. Knowing me from our time together in 90minutes, you probably know how hard I work to create positive outcomes, and create resolution. In this case it did not work out with Anusara.
As I said above there are also private reasons that I can’t share now and professional reasons that created too many problems to be able to teach freely. I think it is right that people are questioning why we are leaving.
The yoga of Anusara is awesome! The differences I have with the organization’s direction are another matter.
I’m so glad you will still be coming around – would love to work with you live as well as online!
xoxox
A
You are such a well of inspiration Amy, regardless of style of yoga! Best wishes to you and all my love!
Thank you so much. xo
True to your heart – as always.
Shine On!
LOVE!!
Amy,
I’m sure this will be a time of tremendous growth for you. I wish you an abundance of love and blessings in your new endeavor and look forward to your offerings. The world needs your light woman! Don’t let anyone or anything stop you! xoxo
You rock, Myriam! Thank you for your kind words…
Amy,
You will get a lot of criticism for being bold and true to yourself: DO NOT let it get to you.
People: Anusara is not a cult, Amy can think for herself and so can you.
Thank you DivineYoganista (how much do we love your name, BTW!?) I know myself, I know why I made my decision, and I feel it was the right thing to do. And you are right on – I can think for myself, and others must, must, must think for themselves as well…
Amy;
Thanks for letting us know about your decision. I guess the million dollar question is how does the alignment between you and the Anusara organization differ to the point where you have to ‘give it up’? . I understand that you want students/teachers of all yoga styles to benefit from your teachings. I took both 90 minutes and Superheroes and didn’t find it to be a problem that you were Anusara and many of the people in the course were not. Has something else happened? Why do I want to know? I guess I’ve been considering getting the inspired level for Anusara (I have level one from Sara Rose in Northampton). I have held off because sometimes certain aspects of the Anusara technique don’t match my personal teaching style but Anusara has helped me so much that I was waiting for myself to develop and understand more so that I would cotton on to the parts of the technique that didn’t jive with me with my own teaching style. I’ve been looking to Anusara teachers to test my own shortcomings and perhaps to bolster some of the misgivings that I have. Now with many certified teachers ‘dropping out’ I’m feeling insecure about the organization and I’m wondering what is going on I guess. I felt like I could ask you because I’ve taken your courses……. even though I don’t really know you. Thanks in advance for responding. I’m trying to be the light. Karen
Much love Amy for a decision that could not have been made lightly. xoxo
spanda-spanda
Chit & ananda
Keep pumping the volume up!
Sending you love and gratitude Amy… what’s right for you is right for all of us. Big hugs! xo kb.
I think Swami Kripalu has it right: “It is worth remembering there is only one yoga. True, aspirants of different natures resort to various doctrines and practices to progress along the path. But one who completes the process of yoga understands its different paths and sees that the systematic practice of various disciplines leads to the same place. In the end, all yogas lead to one great Yoga.” Business practices are just business practices; a brand is just a brand.
You ARE the light beautiful on-line teacher. Much Love
Much love and power to you Amy.
I concur
You have touched so many people in such a positive way and we will always follow you because of YOU, not because of a certain yoga practice. Wishing you the best.
Hi Amy: Wishing you all good fortune for your future as an Independent Ippoliti – Hari-kirtana das
Welcome aboard! It’s going to continue to be a wonderful rise. I feel the inclusiveness exuding from this wonderful message. Not being an anusa teacher I often felt like an alien in many of your trainings, posts and emails. I’m thrilled.
Amy,
I totally support your decision. The short time I have followed you as a teacher, I’ve gained the highest respect for you. You are a fantastic teacher and businesswoman, and someone I can aspire to be like!
In highest regard and love,
Brice Hickey
@bricentennial
Dear Amy,
Thank you for the update. Yoga…….such a vast and beautiful and fascinating topic. In my opinion some of the schools and styles in the modern, Western yoga craze have become a little contradictory and dogmatic. This is not a criticism, just my opinion and observation. Each school and style has it’s merits and the wonderful thing is that there is so much to learn from whatever style appeals to you without the need to criticize the other styles, schools and methods. There is something for everyone and well, isn’t the point of yoga to learn, to create health and well being in body, mind and spirit? Some people are drawn to certain styles and if those styles weren’t available then less people would have the benefit and experience that yoga can provide.
I often find parallels between styles of food, various cuisines and eating preferences, and yoga. In my opinion, it is not better to be a vegetarian, a raw foodie, a faster, a whatever! Food an eating is another beautiful opportunity to tune in and pay attention to how you feel. As you may remember food plays an important part of my life, as a chef and as a teacher of food workshops, often in the setting of yoga retreats. Like your your yoga practice, I encourage people to choose what feels right to them. Yoga postures, like different foods and styles of eating are really just one ingredient in a potentially endless buffet of learning to tune into your body, your mind, your emotions, your habits, and to practice self-awareness and self-observation, and let’s not forget joy and happiness! Yoga makes you feel good! And like food it should help to promote happiness, awareness and peace in yourself and the world, and not conflict or judgement.
I relish the many things I learned from you. Technique, philosophy, delight, and I mix it into my own, ever evolving recipes of yoga and life! I have enjoyed reading your blog and appreciate your dedication and passion and generosity.
Keep on keepin’ on sister! Do what you love, love what you do, and viola, the rest reveals itself!!!
Best wishes in all you do!
All love,
Lisa
Do you know how much I love your brave and true nature????!!!! Girl whatever you do the light you breathe touches everything around you! Rock on with your bad self! Head down to Taos if you want a quick trip breather~ I feel the wave~
dear one…we love you and support your decision wholeheartedly…you are a wise, brave, inspirational woman and it is an honor to know you and to have had our lives so enriched by your spirit and love…thriveon beautiful soul…there is so much freedom and space to enjoy…blessings with every breath…and sometime, when spirit moves you to be here in costa rica again, please know you have a home here with us in monteverde…it would be an honor and a privilege to have you here…so much love so much gratitude so much appreciation for YOU! lovelovelove janet and michael
Girl, you’re gonna kick ass wherever you land in the universe. I am proud to know you.
[...] made a decision… You’ll want to open this,” Amy made a short announcement with a link to a blog post. She writes, I have decided to Leave Anusara [...]
You are so awesOMMMMMe!!! I am so excited for you and can’t wait to spend more QT with you this year. lots of love to you sister. xoxoxo Denelle
Dear Amy –
Wow, I never saw this coming. And I have to congratulate you for being your big, bold, bad-ass self. GO GIRL! I will continue to support you and your amazing mission. I loved all of 90 Minutes and it gave me so much material to work with and helped me dive deeper into myself and my teachings. And made me pause and reflect on why I am teaching yoga!!! So thanks to you for all of your dedication and effort. Keep rocking it girl and look forward to seeing you in Chicago in May.
Peace, love and blessings
Jen Mullholand
OM! Amy,
Carolyn from New Jersey here (the one you once told about Mary cutting your hair in NYC – so I cut my hair cut by her!) not sure if you know who I am? but I try to take class with you whenever you are in my zone (NY, PA, NJ) I was just at DIG last time you were there….and I just wanted to write to say, “HOORAY!” : )
I come from a Sivananda background (and don’t always know the difference between inner-spiral and outer-spiral) but i have always enjoyed your classes and will continue to do so whether is it called “anusara” yoga or not!!!
Keep on Keepin’ On! and I will look forward to your next East Coast stint (in the mean time, I will dream of someday going on yoga vacation with you or joining you in CO for a class, and I will keep watching your funny videos)! : )
Follow your heart and you cannot go wrong!
NAMASTE,
CS in NJ
May you be prosperous in your future endeavors. Love and Light!
Amy,
I know that you thought long and hard about this decision, and I’m sure that the future has a lot to offer you. When I met you at Kripalu a few years ago, you made such a lasting impression on me, and I will forever be grateful for that experience. When you came by the following to long island and I attended another one of your workshops, you brought me to an even better place. I know that whatever you do and wherever the universe takes you, it will be amazing. I look forward to travel along that journey into the future with you.
My blessings are with you and I hope to see you back again on the east coast sometime soon.
Much love and peace on your new found endeavor
Namaste,
Connie
although I’ve never met you I have heard so many wonderful things about you from people i trust and love. i admire your strength, constant self examination and courage to redefine many professional and personal relationships. i hope to meet and learn from you. best wishes
Will you still come play with us at Wanderlust 2012?
I wish you all the best on any winding roads your path may lead you on now … That was quite the dramatic email… Anyways, I personally feel very connected to the Anusara UPAs and many other pillars (uplifting environment, heart centered theming, tantric philosophy, kula, high standards, etc…) behind the school of Anusara and am wondering if you will be straying from those principles in your future seminars and trainings? Well, I hope you will share with us the new vision you are working towards, since you made it a public announcement. Either way, thank you for sharing your knowledge, and hopefully you will a moment’s pause from what has seemed to be a very busy tour!
More power to you! Peace. Congratulations. Love Ally
follow your heart Amy. the best for you, Regards.
Hey Amy,
I agree with getting some explanation with definitely respecting Anusara at the same time. There are so many of us that opened ourselves us to the teachings through our teachers such as you and now we are wondering what is the evolution about and are we being kept in the dark. Please find a way to help the community understand?
you’re so vague… you probably think this song is about you.
i’m not to peppy about this. what’s your reasoning? why did you just get back from Tokyo teaching Anusara to teacher trainees and then decide to make this choice? how do you think your students in Tokyo must feel right now? you could have declined the opportunity to teach and offered that opportunity to an instructor that still aligns themselves to the practice.
Congratulations on making such a big decision and moving on. I must admit, I am quite shocked at this news even in light of Darren, Christina and Elena leaving a couple of months back… You’ve been an authority on Anusara Yoga for well over a decade now. You have taught so many of us about this elegant method, yet now you are leaving. I can’t say I’m happy at all about this. If you feel the need to move on, then I support you, follow your heart. But after over a decade of being a leader in this community and leaving in one sentence kind of just, well, it sucks. You ‘no longer find yourself in alignment with the direction of the organization’. Would you please elaborate on what that means? I think that you owe the Anusara community more than that. You offer no gratitude or any mention of your teacher, John Friend. Yet you’ve led the charge in expanding his teachings of Anusara Yoga all over the world! And no acknowledgment to John? In my opinion, you were his protege to some degree and now you’re just moving on? We in the Anusara community have taken many, many hours of training from you. You taught us what Ansuara is all about. We deserve an explanation. I can only speculate as to why you left and speculation cultivates rumors and toxicity. Where is the dharma here? Where is the integrity? Your lack of explanation opens the ‘organization’, the school and vision of Anusara Yoga to a lot of discrimination and gossip which makes us look bad. People can only speculate and those who are outside the community are now saying things that the organization just may not deserve, thus in fact affecting all of us who choose to remain Anusara students and teachers in a negative way. You have a responisibility here.
One speculation is that you just don’t need John anymore. You’re doing quite well with your international contacts and your lucrative online webinars that you just don’t need to associate it with Anusara Yoga. You say that you are not going anywhere. But how will your teaching be different? How can you ‘not’ teach Anusara Yoga? Have you developed a different method? How is it different? When John left Iyengar, it was because he was no longer teaching in the Iyengar style and we all know that Anusara and Iyengar Yoga are extremely different. How are you different?
If you want to serve the students with “the ingrity they deserve”, then you owe us a better explanation.
I wish you all the best with all that you do.
Chick power!!!..sending you love Amy
best to you in your transition.
cate
Anusara has been the bridge brought you to us, however, we support you no matter what and you will always be our beloved teacher. Kudos in helping the world become more beautiful and if you have decided to take an alternative path, then i full-heartedly respect that. Be strong and be Amy!!
Follow your heart.
“There are years that ask questions.. and years that answer” Zora Neale Hurston
Just because you left doesn’t mean you are gone. There is Sat, Chit, and Ananda in everything you do with or without the trademark.
So disappointed in the way you handled this Amy. I expected more from you. Where is your gratitude and your humility? Did you forget first principle?
Amy, I’m glad to see all of the love and support for what must have been a tough decision — I trust your decision, and respect your desire to keep private details private. Gates of Speech, baby!
(Teachers looking for a class theme this week might find the Gates of Speech to be timely. If you’re not familiar with this, or you need a refresher, it’s in the TT manual. Or ask your teacher.)
Anne-
Very nice. I too was thinking there’s a lot of comments here that are a touch too-touchy. Be mindful, and respectful, please, y’all?
Thank you for your support, Anne – much love!
Not much more for me to add here, Amy. But I remember way back being a student of your first teacher training ever in NYC and it was such a special group and time–lots of promise of something big and new. Super roots and foundation were set and I’d like to hope that I’ve grown in my teachings to honor where it all started. I learned so much from you then and I continue to learn from you now, just by your actions of generosity, innovation and integrity. Many blessings as you branch out and grow–thanks for sharing your Light.
Peace,
April
So great to hear from you April! I hope you are doing well these days. Thanks so much for your kind words and support. Much love.
Sometimes we just need some change whatever the reasons are. I believe that your leaving will give you more beautiful time of reflection. Have a good journey…
Beautiful, yes. Thank you!
So much love and blessings on your new journey! I’m proud of you!
Congratulations, Amy! Warmest wishes for your continued journey!
Anusara is bigger than John Friend. Ansuara is the kula largely created by its followers, by you, and other teachers who have left. Does anyone else wish you all could work out/get past the problems so the kula can grow, rather than separate? Sadly, ck.
Amy- You are the light. Love you always!
I admire your integrity Amy. Indeed, in the end, its all one Yoga.
In order for light to illuminate we need transparency. You provided transparency. Thank you.
Hello, Amy,
Thank you! THANK You! I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate your letter to explain your leaving Anusara…how I appreciate your candor, the level of detail, and your willingness to share your pain and your ethics.
I am 67. I was initiated into Transcendental Meditation 1966 in Boston–the first significant marker on a long trail of seeking; I’ve been passionately looking for teaching, learning, sharing, excellence, a way into the world that is real, that embraces a joyful life, that is not renunciate; how to be whole? how to share joy and discovery with like-minded seekers?
Now I teach Yoga, certified at the 500-Hour level from Don and Amba Stapleton from Nosara Yoga Institute. I train with Biff Btfhoefer in Yin Yoga. I adore to teach yoga, especially older folks. The excellence of the Anusara teachers with whom I have taken classes, and workshops has every time lead me further into wanting more Anusara training in anatomy, specificity of instruction, and especially, the widespread urging of the teachers to align with grace and joy. Thanks all of them. Thank you for your wonderful CD, “Invocation.”
Most of all, Amy, Thank you for your detailed explanation of your departure. How I wish it were a novel story!
Alas! It is far from novel. I do so fervently wish that before I die, I could learn from some teachers–true innovators– who refrain from falling into the arrogance of self-elevation that apparently derives from power. Amrit, Werner Erhardt, Judith, Mike Booth–it is a long list of individuals who have started something truly good, truly beneficial,some new aspect of “human Potential” –who then are recognized, elevated, and fall, fat-headed, from the pedestal. There are so many Humpty Dumpty’s! Sometimes it seems that their loyal followers, their faithful promoters, those who have labored consistently well below pedestal level–sometimes–at least at first blush of scandal, downfall–sometimes ti seems that those folks are hurt worst.
So I am sorry for your hurt, betrayal–yours and that of many other Anusara teachers, students, and fans of this good teaching, this gift of method to express the grace and joy of living in a body on Earth.
However, I rejoice at your courage, your willingness to articulate the history, the depth of your heartfelt ethics.
Thank you. Keep on keeping on. Keep your head high, but not too high to see those who follow. Keep your sights high, but not above sight of pitfalls from which any human being can suffer.
May you know the Root of Happiness.
May you be healthy.
May you be free from Harm.
And May you live with Ease…
Sansea
[...] Teachers who resigned a few months leading up to this controversy: Elena Brower, Darren Rhodes, Christina Sell, and Amy Ippoliti. [...]
Hi Amy,
Wish you all the best for new chapter. Namaskar, Kavi