01/22/2026
Dear Samyoga Institute Community and Friends,
“To everything there is a season”
Twenty-five years ago a yoga student came to me and asked if I would help her start a yoga program for the youth of what back then was called United Methodist children’s home. I agreed and asked her whether she’d prefer to do the training one-on-one or would she like to be trained with some other people. She said it would be much better to have a group and so in a very informal way that’s how the Yoga teacher training started. I had never envisioned myself as the facilitator for a yoga teacher training, but I had a strong desire to see a yoga teacher training program in Columbus. Back then, for the most part, in order to train to be a teacher you had to go away somewhere for 2 to 4 weeks. For most people this was not feasible due to home responsibilities, work, finances, etc.. I really did try to get somebody else to start a program, but that didn’t happen. So, that is how I ended up facilitating a yoga teacher training program. It provided me with education, empowerment & incredible transformation. I hope this was passed on to the students. I was able to collaborate with Integrative Yoga Therapy to be able to offer a yoga alliance approved program.
In 2005, again due to the encouragement of a student and along with some wonderful partners, we started what was then called ShivaShakti Synthesis, which offered a 200 hour and 500 hour program. The first partners were Shannon Clark, Connie Phillips and Dr. Vijay Jain, who had been a part of the program since the beginning. With them, the program blossomed and began to really fulfill our commitment of individual and community empowerment by offering an incredible program that taught the breadth and depth of Hatha Yoga. Our intent was so that students could go back to their communities and teach in the way that was right for them and their students. We’ve taught students from all over the Midwest and our graduates are teaching yoga all over the world! The mission of our program was worldwide healing and I believe each of our students have contributed to that mission.
Along the way, others joined and each time that happened the program grew deeper and higher beyond my wildest expectations. Acknowledgment to Ann Downing, Angela Nicolosi, Julia McSheffery, Emily Wright, Elaine Torres, Chris Pritchard, Sat Puran (Carla Fox), Stacie Stormer, Gina Eckel, Kevin Ryan, Nelson Carson, Barbara Newell, Lori Candon, Kristin Stevens, Sarah Pariser & Patty Kimball. These people each brought their unique gifts and spirits to the program that eventually became Samyoga Institute. And with that the program evolved even more. I could write pages about each of these incredible Beings, but not to be too lengthy, I’d like to call out a few. Dr. Jain and his wife, Michele, are a major part of the foundation of this program. Their support and wise council got the program going and helped steer it for a very long time. Connie Phillips, an amazing teacher in and out of the classroom, has been with the program since 2005 and her addition created needed wisdom and organization. Sarah Pariser came on during what was going to be a gap year and fortunately has never left. She has made sure that we stay true to our mission and cause. Carla Fox/Sat Puran joined in 2014 and brought a depth to the program and steered its course for these past few years. She has been the program director of Samyoga since 2018. And Stacie Stormer came on that same year, bringing her vision and passion and eventually becoming a partner as well.
Through our discussions in the past two years, it has become evident that as much as we love the idea of Samyoga that it’s time to allow the physical portion of the program to end. We know that the light of Samyoga will live on in all of our hearts. We will also remain committed to supporting our community and plan to continue to offer Yoga Alliance CE workshops. After these 25 years of SYI, we know that there are ripples of SYI life flourishing in this world. Thank you to each and every one of you who have been a part of this SYI community.
It’s been such an honor and a privilege for us to walk on this transformational path with you all. Once a part of this family, always a part of this family.
Love & Gratitude,
Janice, Sat & Stacie
