Joni Wellness

Joni Yecalsik is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor with special expertise in hands-on assists, yoga therapeutics, Pre-Natal, and more. She has trained as a Doula (childbirth support), Hospice Volunteer, Nutrition Counselor, Drum Circle Facilitator, Lifestyle Coach, and has served as Massage Therapist and Yoga teacher to elite athletes and dancers. She has been practicing and teaching yoga since 1970, in the brilliant Iyengar sytem since the late 80's. In the mid-nineties she moved to Bellevue , Washington to apprentice with Master Yoga Instructor Aadil Palkhivala, one of Iyengar’s longtime students from India . She continues her advanced yoga studies with Senior teachers in the Iyengar method. She is the official East Coast Trainer for The Great Yoga Wall. See more about her under Bio.

Here's what some of Joni's students/clients have said about studying yoga with her:

Joni Wellness Studio has relocated to Lincoln Park, Newark, NJ.

Yoga Class Schedule - see calendar for weekly updates, see classes for description, details, cost, locations.

Open Practice Class is for Joni's regular and/or serious Iyengar Yoga students who have or would like to have their own regular practice. Sequence, instructions and corrections given for appropriate level.

The Great Yoga Wall - please contact Joni if you are interested in training..

Basic Back Care, Pre-Natal, Healthy Knees workshops will be scheduled in 2009. For Self-Massage, Nutrition, Vision Board and other non-Yoga Workshops, look under "Workshops"

Please inquire about rates for private sessions and packages.

Yoga in Action: Preliminary Course by Geeta Iyengar is the recommended study text (purchase from instructor) as well as Light on the Yoga Sutras by B.K.S. Iyengar (or any other Sutra translation). We will meet in Newark for potluck, Iyengar Yoga videos, demonstrations, philosophy discussion, and inspiration.

Inquire about Private, Group, Corporate, and Retreat rates, full schedule and other details.

More general information about yoga will be posted here soon. Here is some food for thought, in the meantime.... Did you know that 10 minutes in sirsasana (headstand) is as good as or better for your heart than 30 minutes of jogging? Did you know yoga can boost your immune system, improve circulation, digestion, even your sex life, reduce stress, even out your imbalances, help relieve depression, back aches, headaches and fibromyalgia? Start with the basics....attend an Intro class for an in-depth taste of how Iyengar Yoga can enhance your life. Speak to instructor about which class would be most appropriate for you.

OM n : supreme and most sacred syllable, consisting of the three Sanskrit sounds “a”*, “u”, and “m”, representing various fundamental triads and believed to be (like other sounds), the spoken essence of the universe. It is sounded as a mantra and in affirmations and blessings (Hinduism and Buddhism). You may feel it vibrating in your whole body. It may be sounded out loud or silently. Traditionally, when practicing on your own, the pitch is as low as possible, without strain. When practicing with your yoga class, take the lead from your instructor. Sometimes the group chants in unison, sometimes teacher first, class following/responding.

Pronunciation: It starts from the sound of the earth, from nothing, like a low rumble (the Sanskrit “a”* is our “u”, as in fun) develops to the “oh” and ends in “mmm” fading back to nothing. An English written transliteration would more correctly be U-O-M.

In Yoga Classes we sing Om during opening: to create a harmonic satsang, group connection, to center our energy, to bring clarity and focus to the practice, and to change (raise) our vibrational rate; during closing: to seal in and acknowledge the benefits of the yoga.

SANSKRIT n : an ancient classical language of India (the language of the Vedas and of Hinduism); an official language of India although it is not used in every day language. It is known for its perfection. We say the names of the yoga asanas (poses) in Sanskrit for invocational effect, aiding in receiving the metaphysical benefits of practicing the yoga asanas.

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