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VICKI JONES SPORT YOGA CERTIFICATION through N.E.S.T.A. (National Endurance Sports Trainers Association) One would expect a long delay with continuous pondering would produce a smooth “about me” document…to my shock Alan wants to write his own! Having almost constant company and daily routine disruptions during the delay since we published the “Asian Garden” home page has hastened the get it done voice tape playing in my head. The chatter must stop…here goes the effort! The age of 28 saw the first dabbling of feet into yogic waters. I was living in Naha City, Okinawa, Japan in 1975...a true foreign place to me; and upon hearing about a yoga class, feelings were of awe that this experience was available right around the corner from where we lived. Approaching the building for the first time I can remember feeling excited. Although my awareness of yoga postures, the physical limb was limited, an internal vision saw a headstand and the splits! Disappointment accompanied my departure as all we did was sit on the floor in a cross legged position listening to the teacher speak of foods we should and should not consume. The teacher was a middle-aged woman from India with flowing robes and scarves over a shoulder and across her head. Certainly the dress was authentic and she had the henna dot on the forehead one associates with Indian culture. Doubts were not of her knowledge or abilities to teach yoga; but after the third class and still the talk was of food, I became disenchanted…bought a large package of potato chips on the walk home. Had my expectations been different or had I had the patience to continue, my yoga journey would have longevity. During early childhood through late teens my passion was dance, and all really I ever wanted to do as a career was dance. Dance lessons were a constant and later I taught beginning students for private lessons. My short stature limited my options, I thought, to teaching dance which probably I was lacking in both motivation and talent. Childhood/teen aspirations fade. Fast-forward to October 2001, again residing in Okinawa, when interest in yoga enters my life again while watching Rodney Yee, an internationally known American yogi, on Oprah. Rodney, as well as many other known teachers, has a dance background and is inspiring and beautiful to watch. Now the timing was perfect. There were early morning classes held 6 days weekly, they were FREE and the teacher was dynamite. Had I not connected with the teacher, the journey still would have begun in earnest but probably I would not have pursued teaching myself. I love, love, love being a student. Having yoga in my life fuels a passion for knowledge and personal growth. Infancy stage describes my teaching experience. In October 2003, I obtained yoga teacher certification through NESTA and immediately began teaching. Since then I have continued to attend workshops and conferences. The most recent being a three day intensive on yoga for small communities and older populations. I am finding difficulty deciding on what style of hatha yoga to study so that I can be registered through Yoga Alliance, the leader in establishing educational standards for yoga teachers. There are so many schools out there with many class structures. I desire to attend at least a 30-day teacher’s training, another immersion! Currently I am leaning towards a school with a focus on yoga therapy. The first total immersion in yoga found us traveling to India December 2002, where we toured around the country several weeks before Alan departed for Tokyo via Delhi and I entered the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram, Neyyar Dam, Kerala, South India…wow! Up many steps and into another world. My intention was to complete a 30-day international teacher’s training course. Before heading in different directions and while staying at a lovely guest house in Trivandrum we heard the US threaten war against Iraq. An ashram is a place far removed from the outside world…a peaceful, quiet place and I was told not to say I was an American, not absolutely new to me, but now I was with an international community and the threat of war was unfavorable. I found the ashram cold and unfriendly and the office staff were certainly not taught “Customer Service 101” nor were other staff members. The spiritual teachers were warm, even funny at times, but never did I hear their names or see them posted. I felt totally out of my comfort zone, and the total immersion ended as I escaped the ashram with 2 British girls who had been there less than 24 hours and who thought things just were not right! Ah, the escape, another crazy adventure. Since arriving here June 2004, I have been blessed with the opportunity of teaching classes on South Padre Island, Isla Blanca Park for the Winter Texans, and I have a handful of regular “Asian Garden” students. I am happy teaching yoga and every class gives me more experience. My hope is to attract more students, make new friends and continue down a yoga path. Yoga is like dance, the best for your body exercise to do…you will learn patience, correct breathing and walk away having the mental ability to relax thus reduce stress and tension in your body. Come meet us…take an active interest in your health!
November 2006, Asian Garden Studio
ALAN JONES LONGEVITY WELLNESS SPECIALIST certified through GMP Fitness As “native born” Texans from Amarillo, Texas we feel right at home as valley residents after living here since June 2004. Living and working in different overseas areas since 1973 dictated the need to soften the culture shock upon retirement age as we purchased our first ever house in 1994. Retirement, then, seemed far enough in the future for there not to be a concern but we knew “roots” must be established before hand and were on a mission to find the perfect place. That place was 1010 Michigan Street, Laguna Heights, Texas. We are so proud to have our own studio here in Laguna Heights. Doing yoga outside has advantages. One can hear the seagulls, shore birds, and the haunting cries of the egrets and herons. Coming up into the Mountain Pose and seeing the Laguna Madre spread out in front of you is inspiring. We left the states in 1973 after being accepted into DoDDS overseas teaching program. The first assignment was Molesworth, England. I taught P.E./Health and coached basketball, soccer and track. After 2 years we were transferred to Okinawa, Japan, where we stayed until receiving a transfer to Adana, Turkey, in 1979. I taught PE and coached football, soccer and wrestling until being transferred to Yokosuka, Japan, in 1982. Our remaining time in DoDDS was spent in Asia teaching in Yokosuka for six years where I was athletic directer, coached football and wrestling. Japan was home before being transferred to Subic Bay, Philippines. Our lives were to be interrupted in June, 1991, when we were evacuated from Subic due to the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. I was fortunate enough to be re-assigned to Okinawa, Japan, where we lived until retiring June 2004. Arriving to set up house at 1010 Michigan, Laguna Heights, TX. June 22, 2004. Recently Vicki and I have become interested in the “Five Rites” consisting of five exercises executed in a certain order. The rites are easy to learn and take little time. However, they must be done daily for maximum success. A commitment is involved and the rites are designed for those 50 or over. Come and consider being a member of our “Five Rites Club”…Classes now scheduled Wednesdays from 4:30 - 5:15 PM. Call to let us know you are coming! 956-433-9804

Asian Garden Longevity Fitness & Yoga Studio

Yoga with a View by the Bay