International Yoga Teacher Janet Stone shares her Yoga Journey
International yoga teacher Janet Stone began the practice of yoga at a young age and has since traveled and explore the power of yoga. Janet blends the alchemy of her own practice with decades of studentship and aspires not to teach but to allow the practice to emanate from her, letting awareness blend with movement and breath.
How did you come to find the path of Yoga?
At 17 a friend introduced me to Prem Rawat and there began my practice of meditation. It wasn’t until very many years later amidst my multi-sporting, mountain biking, surfing, snowboarding obsessions that I traveled to India, the birthplace of my grandfather and found asana practice through the Sivananda lineage. From there, it felt as if yoga was everywhere I went.
Has yoga helped you overcome any obstacles in your life?
When I’m paying attention it reveals again and again that the obstacles are of my perception and that life is simply being life and expanding and contracting, birthing and decaying. It supports me in remembering that I too am simply a part of the great cycle. This allows me to resist less and relax into the ever changing nature of this journey.
Do you have any advice for yogis struggling to make time to practice yoga in their busy schedule?
It truly is the consistency that is the yoga so I simply must remind myself and others to make a realistic commitment and simply show up again and again and again. Pick a time of day that works and maybe 5 practices that you will do no matter what.
What is your favorite quote about spirituality?
We’re all just walking each other home. ~ Ram Dass
What inspires you about Bali?
The people. The people of this island enacts 20 to 30 offerings a day and place their reverence to the Divine before any commerce. The Balinese are generous with their smiles and warm beyond belief. It doesn’t hurt that the island of Bali is stunning and certainly will need all of our efforts to preserve its sacred rhythms.
What is it like to live and teach yoga in Bali?
Bali has a beautiful culture of sheer devotion, it is something that nourishes you for a lifetime. I lived in Bali while my two daughters attended school and we loved the ease and flow of life and how it centeres around offerings to the Gods and family. We’re back living in California but make our annual pilgrimage there.
What makes BaliSpirit Festival unique?
This festival feels like Bali: sumptuous, potent and a swirl of color and vitality. I taught at BaliSpirit Festival during its very first year in 2007 and have returned as often as possible.
What type of yoga do you teach?
Just yoga, others might say it’s a Bhakti centered vinyasa.
Join Janet teaching Vinyasa Yoga at BaliSpirit Festival. Get your tickets here