30/11/2025
For those of you that don’t know, after 21 years of teaching yoga in Ballarat, including nearly a decade in our cherished Lewis Street studio, I’ve decided it’s time to begin an exciting new chapter in my life.
I’m thrilled to share some wonderful news with you: Jackie Allen Yoga has been officially entrusted to a truly lovely and passionate new owner, Debra Herman. Knowing the studio is in such capable and caring hands makes me very happy indeed.
Debra has renamed the studio JAYA Yoga as an ode to the original Jackie Allen Yoga, honoring its spirit and foundation, which I’m pretty chuffed about. Jaya is a Sanskrit word that translates to “victory”, which is pretty cool.
Debra has been practicing yoga for nearly as long as she can remember. A life-long love of Asana and Yogic Philosophy began in childhood. She started learning Classical Hatha Yoga by attending classes, workshops and retreats alongside her mother, who subsequently taught classes in their home. For Debra, yoga holds a deep personal connection to home and heart. She is a certified yoga teacher (YA 350 hr +) who has studied and practiced many styles of yoga, with various teachers both in Australia and the USA. She has also trained extensively in QiGong which brings an extra direction of intuiting prana/qi flow through her class.
Debra will be taking over my classes and while there will need to be someone to fill Steve’s shoes, many of the existing teachers will stay on and enjoy this new exciting journey with you.
I will be continuing to support Debra in every way I can and will be continuing to support and visit and maybe do the odd class or workshop at JAYA Yoga next year when I’m in Ballarat.
Debra will be using Punchpass for JAYA Yoga so this will be an easy transition. Classes will start back around 3rd week of January. You will be sent an email when the JAYA Yoga timetable is up and you can start booking classes with Debra and the rest of the gang.
Jackie Allen Yoga, as we know it, will finish up on Tuesday, 16 December. We have our farewell on Friday 12 December, all details are in the previous post.
I’ll be moving to a new online business focussing on yoga therapy courses which will give me the freedom to work from anywhere. I’m excited to be drawing on my yoga therapy training and start creating online courses focussing on specific needs. I hope to launch my first course, “Yoga Remedies for Anxiety,” in the new year. I will be retaining my socials and website so you can keep up to date with what I’m up to through the usual places.
I feel incredibly grateful to have been able to make a career out of teaching yoga and its been an honour to share our Lewis Street sanctuary with such a wonderful community. You know you mean the world to me.
I am confident that under Debra’s guidance, JAYA Yoga will continue to grow and flourish, offering a nurturing space for everyone. I look forward to staying connected with JAYA yoga and the community.
Jackie xx
