12 Jul 2025
Yoga And Mysticism East And west perspective
J. Brownj@jbrownyoga.com917-446-8871Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (ERYT500)Continuing Education Professional (YACEP)Registered Yoga School (RYS200/RYS300)1995-2007 Independent Yoga Teacher in NYC2007-2017 Owner of Abhyasa Yoga Center in Brooklyn, NY2017-2020 International Yoga Teacher Trainer and Podcaster2020-2024 J Brown Yoga Online Platform2024-Present Owner of The Birdhouse Yoga Center in Easton, PABio (short):J. Brown is a yoga teacher, writer, and podcaster. He is at the forefront of a quiet yogarevolution, based in healing, that seeks to change the dialogue and direction of yoga practicein the west. His writing has been featured in Yoga Therapy Today, the International Journal ofYoga Therapy, and across the yoga blogosphere. His podcast is internationally renowned forraising the level of conversation. Visit his website at jbrownyoga.comBio (long):For more than twenty years, J. Brown has been developing techniques to teach people how topractice yoga in a deeper and more fulfilling way. He is also a well known writer and podcaster,having been featured in Yoga Therapy Today, the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, andacross the yoga blogosphere. His podcast has become the premier resource for yoga teachersand center owners.J. Brown came to yoga by way of his mother's death. Reconciling that loss, and wanting to befree from the crippling grief and disillusionment that came with it, fueled his passion forlearning to make himself well.First, he gravitated towards an Ashtanga, power vinyasa style. The intensity suited hisstruggling temperament. After sustaining several injuries, he explored an Iyengarbased approach to learn better alignment. But he soon discovered that better alignment alonewas not the answer. Despite having achieved proficiency in both the Ashtanga and Iyengarstyles, studying with renowned teachers such as Alison West and Richard Freeman, J admits: 'Istill had chronic pain and was horribly disillusioned and unhappy.' The next phase of his searchwould be in India.In Rishikesh, J. found a rare and special teacher in Swami P. Saraswati. He taught J that yogapractice was not a linear progression towards some unknown thing, but rather a process oflearning how to take care of yourself. Back in NY, J. stopped going to regular group classesand devoted himself to a self-practice, ultimately meeting one his most influential teachersMark Whitwell and finding his way to an entirely therapeutic orientation inspired by the TKVDesikachar/Krishnamacharya tradition.In 2007, after more than a decade as a popular teacher at various schools in Manhattan andBrooklyn, J. founded Abhyasa Yoga Center in Brooklyn, NY to provide a home for yogapractice that adapts to individual needs. In 2017, J closed the center to travel, write, and talkabout the important issues and focus on his work changing the dialogue and direction of yogapractice in the west.
