Dearest Nantucket Yoga Community,
The law of “Dharma” is that: “Everyone has a purpose in life . . . a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal.”
Over 16 years ago, my “dharma” was to build “The Yoga Room”, to provide an oasis for the study of yoga and the facilitation of health, healing and wellness for the Nantucket community. I am so proud and gratified by these past years of running this business and having witnessed the power of yoga to transform people’s lives. Even as my life has diverted me off-island now for many months out of the year, I have never wavered in my commitment to keeping The Yoga Room open year-round, growing and thriving with the help of many dedicated teachers and managers.
But the only constant is change and “annica” or “impermanence” is an important tenant of the yoga tradition. Guided by this, I now find my dharma is shifting and I must make a change. I am compelled to focus on what I am most passionate about and committed to which is being a teacher, continue my own studies,, working with and mentoring other teachers and spreading my wings to practice “Bhakti Yoga” in the form of music and chanting.
As of Labor Day, 2017, The Yoga Room will be put in the very capable hands of a wonderful new director, Carrie Seyer, who I have complete faith and trust in to uphold my vision for optimally serving the community.
Carrie has spent much time on the island in the last years while maintaining yoga teaching and managing/directing studios in Boston and who is serendipitously ready and willing to make a permanent move to the island. She is passionate about the practice of yoga, loves The Yoga Room and what I have created, and is committed to providing a diverse schedule of offerings which has always been a hallmark of the studio. My dedicated and wonderful staff of teachers all are completely on-board to continue to teach and work with Carrie to keep the studio vibrant and alive.
My eternal gratitude to those wonderful teachers and managers that have helped shape the Yoga Room and shared their unique gifts throughout these last 16 years: Ieva Aldins, Laura Anderson, Amanda Beard, Bettina Broer, Susan Browne, Paul Bruno, Alexandra Catchpole, Sally Charpie, Sherry Copeland, Julie Dohrmann, Patricia Dolloff, Megan DuBois, Natasha Foy, Karen Gagnier, Debby Green, Frances Hickey, Carlisle Hodges, Kathy Holmes, Mary Howell, Jessica Jenkins, Kristina Kalolo, Annie Kay, Ariel Marcoux, Caitlin Marcoux, Evie O’Connor, Michael Rich, Anne Sherman, Meryl Sousa, & Clay Twombly. You have been an inestimable part of creating community, espousing and maintaining the spirit of health & wellbeing.
Carrie and I are working toward making this transition as smooth and seamless as possible. She will be relocating in early August to spend the month before I leave to assimilate, work with the teachers and connect with the community at large. I look forward to introducing you to her as much as she is eager to meet you. I ask for your continued support of The Yoga Room and your warm welcome of Carrie and all that she will bring to the running of the studio.
Rest assured, I will still be very much an integral part of The Yoga Room, returning to teach special classes and workshops in the off-season & continuing to spend my summers on Nantucket teaching & mentoring full-time.
Thank you all for your deep appreciation of what I have created at The Yoga Room and for supporting my dream these past 16 years. Thank you for sharing your hearts and for being my greatest teachers. By the power of your example, you keep reminding me of what it means to be a human being.
My heart is full. The next chapter begins.
Namaste, Shannah