01/09/2023
The yoga world has lost a great one today.
I met Jason Lawner in his early 20s but it was obvious (even back then) that he was an old soul.
I had the honor of working along side him for many years. We were part of the original team of teachers when Corpo Yoga Studio opened in Spring of 2010, we both served as two-time Lululemon ambassadors in South Miami at the same time, and taught community fundraising classes together over the years.
We did not always see eye to eye on postural alignment or technique and yoga philosophy, as we were each devoted practitioners of our different Yoga lineages — his being Anusara and Ta**ra, and mine being Ashtanga Vinyasa and Raja — but we always had great respect for one-another and our mutual devotion to Yoga. In fact, our styles were so different that back in 2015 we were asked to speak at a conference together, essentially being pitted against one-another, but there was no scandalous debate after all because we always treated each other with kindness, respect, and were open to learn from one-another, like true yogis.
Jason was one of the most brilliant, kindest, and knowledgable teachers I’ve had the honor of knowing. A truly special human being.
In a city like Miami where yoga has become so spiritually bypassed and traditionally diluted — with shirtless male teachers selling their physique and thong wearing female teachers selling their ass to pack their classes — Jason had integrity and never sold out.
A teacher of teachers himself (even for being so young at the time) Jason walked the walk and knew the talk: he was quite fluent in Sanskrit, philosophically astute, and could chant and play the harmonium like no other.
Jason was a ray of light, an exceptional teacher of great integrity, and despite our differences, I was truly honored to call him my friend.
Jason, you carried the flame bright my friend, and now us, your friends and colleagues, will carry our flames bigger and brighter because of you.
In reverence, I honor and bow to you and your luminous light 🔥✨🔥
Rest in Peace and Power old friend 🙏🏼♥️🔥✨🕊️