Yoga Center of Jackson

08/18/2025

🎉 Congratulations Laurie Cooper Kay! 🎉

All of us at Yoga Center of Jackson are overjoyed to celebrate Laurie’s incredible achievement — completing her 300-hour Advanced Yoga Alliance certification and graduating as a Yoga Therapist on August 10, 2025. This milestone reflects her dedication, compassion, and countless hours of study and practice. Laurie’s journey inspires us all and reminds our community that growth never stops, both on and off the mat.

Laurie has provided a personal message that we are honored to share in its entirety below. Please join us in applauding her accomplishment and welcoming the next chapter of her yoga journey.

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Although yoga had occasionally touched my life as I grew up, it was only 12 years ago that I began a conscious yoga practice.

I had been working for several years in a university facility where a yoga class was held every day, just down the hall from my office. It was only after my daughter began attending the university that I tried the yoga class, when she invited me to go with her.

I immediately loved it.

I could often only arrive near the end of class, just in time for savasana. After just those few moments of guided relaxation followed by savasana, I felt immense relief from the stress that I was carrying.

I was soon attending class every day and loving it. I loved the transformation that yoga was bringing to my mood, mind, energy, strength, and spirit. I was fascinated and wanted to learn as much as I could about this incredible, life-changing practice, so I began searching for a yoga teacher training program.

I could not find a program that seemed right for me in my hometown. When my uncle, who lived in Jackson, passed away and I was in town for his funeral, it occurred to me that I should look for a yoga school there.

When I found the Yoga Center, Deborah was so warm and welcoming - I knew that I had found my yoga training home!

I enrolled in the next available session and looked forward to traveling to Jackson each month for the training. It was a true joy to learn alongside my wonderful classmates, guided by such a knowledgeable, wise, warm, and engaging teacher.

Deborah had been my first yoga teacher’s first yoga teacher, so she had already impacted my life before I even met her.

Several months into my training, I went to help my aunt clean out my late uncle’s sign shop, and I was surprised to find a prototype of the iconic sign that hangs outside the Yoga Center. It turned out that my uncle had made the sign, so my family was already connected to the Yoga Center years before I knew it existed.

I had entered the 200-hour teacher training with no intention of teaching, to deepen my knowledge. Deborah wisely observed that I might change my mind about not wanting to teach, and as usual, she was right!

I soon felt a calling to serve others through yoga. I wanted to help expand access to this transformative practice to those who were least likely to be able to experience it, but who could greatly benefit from it, so I began teaching at an activity center for persons who were experiencing homelessness.

I obtained additional certifications in Accessible Yoga Teaching and Trauma-Informed Yoga to make my teaching more accessible. I then enrolled in the Yoga Center’s Yoga Therapy program to learn more about how yoga can help treat specific conditions.

The Yoga Therapy program has equipped me with knowledge that will help me better serve my students’ needs, and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to learn and grow more as a yoga teacher and practitioner.

Deborah’s knowledge of yoga is unsurpassed, and I will forever be grateful that I have had such an exceptional teacher and mentor who is as gracious, kind, encouraging, and supportive as she is knowledgeable and wise.

I’m so grateful to all of the teachers and classmates at the center who have been a part of my yoga journey. Each time I walk in the door of the Yoga Center, I feel that I’ve come home.

I’m excited about the possibilities that lie ahead in my yoga journey, but returning to the Yoga Center for learning opportunities will continue to be a treasured part of my future journeys.

08/15/2025

Big shout out to our newest top fans! 💎We are glad to see these superstar yogus on Facebook!

Laura Voth, Patricia Slaughter

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

08/15/2025

Shared from our friends at Yoga Warriors Quash Worry! — because brain health, resilience, and joy are for everybody regardless of shape or age .🧠💛

Here at Yoga Center of Jackson, we’ve got a mat with your name on it — ready to help you soak up these same mind-and-body benefits. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned yogi, there’s space for you here… and maybe a little laughter along the way. 😉

We’ve got a mat for you. 🧘‍♀️🧘

🧠✨ Move Your Body, Lift Your Mind

Movement isn’t just for muscles — it’s medicine for your mind. Research shows that aerobic activity — walking, cycling, dancing, vinyasa flow — triggers remarkable changes in the brain at any age.

Here’s what’s happening when you move:
💡 Better memory — find your keys, remember your passwords, and recall yesterday’s conversation
🌱 Neuroplasticity — your brain forms new pathways, helping you adapt and learn
😊 Emotional resilience — regular movement lowers stress hormones and boosts mood-elevating chemicals
🌊 Calm clarity — exercise can reduce anxiety and quiet racing thoughts
🎯 Sharper focus — improved concentration, quicker decision-making, and more creativity

The secret ingredient? BDNF — Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor — a natural “fertilizer” that helps brain cells grow and thrive. Aerobic movement increases BDNF and even expands brain volume in areas linked to memory, emotional regulation, and executive function.

Yoga connection: A dynamic yoga flow counts as aerobic training — especially when paired with mindful breath. When you step off the mat, keep moving: brisk walks, bike rides, or dancing in your kitchen all feed your brain and your spirit.

💬 What’s your go-to movement when your mood needs a boost?

07/28/2025

Ever wonder why the teachers at Yoga Center of Jackson spend so much time on alignment? Not only is good alignment the best way to remain strong and pain free, it also impacts you energetically! Enjoy this post from Yoga Warriors Quash Worry!, a private Facebook group that is open to all practising yogis. (Send a request if you would like to join.)

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What’s Your Back Body Trying to Say? 👀🧘‍♀️
In yoga, we don’t just stretch muscles—we listen to them. Especially the back body. Why? Because it holds the stories we don’t tell up front. Literally.

Here’s a little peek behind the spine 🌀 into the energetics of our backside:

🍑 Flat B***y, Frazzled Future?
The psoas is more than just a hip flexor—it’s the "muscle of the soul" in yoga and Chinese medicine. It helps you move forward in life. An underused or overly tight psoas may show up as a flat or tucked pelvis—and may reflect fear of change or difficulty stepping into the unknown.
➡️ Try gentle lunges, bridge pose, or even mantra like “I am safe to move forward.”

🎒 Heavy Shoulders, Heavy Load?
Slumped shoulders might be saying, “I’m carrying too much.” In Louise Hay’s words, the shoulders represent our ability to bear joy and responsibility. When we round forward, we may be unconsciously collapsing under life’s “shoulds.”
➡️ Open up with heart-lifting poses like cobra 🐍, camel 🐫, or a big juicy hug from a friend.

🦴 Tight Hamstrings = Stuck in the Past?
The hamstrings are about support and stability—but chronic tightness might signal an energetic resistance to moving on. Louise Hay associates leg tension with a fear of progress.
➡️ Forward folds help lengthen and let go. Try saying, “I release the past with ease.”

🦘 Low Back = Support System Check
Low back pain or tightness may reflect fear of money or lack of support (physical or emotional). Louise Hay reminds us: the lower back holds our sense of security.
➡️ Ground down with child’s pose, supported bridge, or just rest—because receiving support is sacred, too.

🦒 Neck (Back Side) = Flexibility of Thought
The back of the neck represents our willingness to look at life from different angles. Stiffness here may suggest stubbornness or difficulty seeing beyond your current perspective.
➡️ Try gentle neck rolls, supported fish pose, and a mantra like, “I am open to new ways of seeing.”

👣 Heels/Feet = Trust in the Journey
Your heels help you stand your ground—literally. Pain or tightness in the soles or Achilles may be connected to fear of stepping forward or uncertainty about the path ahead.
➡️ Use grounding practices like mountain pose, heel lifts, or a foot massage. Repeat: “Each step is supported.”

💨 Remember, the back body is the realm of the unconscious. It’s the shadow we don’t always see but always carry. Yoga helps us turn toward it with curiosity, compassion, and courage.

✨ Your back body may be quiet—but it’s full of wisdom. Are you listening?

07/25/2025

Permission granted!

In a world that praises productivity, Restorative Yoga whispers: pause. You are already enough. Jai!

07/16/2025

Shared from Yoga Warriors Quash Worry!
Workshop coming 2nd weekend in August Call the studio for more information

🌱 Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset… Yoga Style! 🧘‍♀️🧠

Ever catch yourself thinking,
“I’ll never balance in Tree Pose,” or
“My mind is just too busy for yoga”?
That, dear friends, is mindset talking.

Mindset is simply the lens through which we view ourselves and our abilities: Polly Anna’s rose colored glasses and the dark lenses of Tony Soprano

According to psychologist Carol Dweck:
👉 A fixed mindset says: “I am the way I am. No changing it.”
👉 A growth mindset says: “I may not have it yet, but I can learn, stretch, and grow.”
Sound familiar? Patanjali was ahead of the curve.

In Yoga Sutra 1.12, he reminds us:
“Practice (abhyāsa) and non-attachment (vairāgya) are the means to still the mind.”

That’s yoga’s way of saying: keep showing up, and let go of needing perfection. You can wobble and still be wise.

💡 Science backs this up! People with a growth mindset are more resilient, less discouraged by setbacks, and—get this—happier. Why? Because they don’t see struggles as failure; they see them as feedback.

So the next time Tree Pose has you swaying like a cypress in a Florida thunderstorm, just smile and think: “Look at me, growing!”

🌳 Growth is rarely graceful.
🌳 Progress isn’t always visible.
🌳 But each breath, each wobble, each moment of patience is a win.

Keep showing up. You’re growing in all the best ways—on the mat and off. ❤️

Class Times and Description, Prices
Yoga Intermediate, Beginner, Gentle, Flow Yoga, Pilates $8 to 10

05/23/2025

🎉✨Congratulations to Johnnie Lou Getz, our newest 300 Advanced/500 Hour Registered Yoga Teacher and Therapist ✨🎉

Johnnie Lou has had an incredible journey teaching and studying yoga. We are so proud of her!

Her yoga journey (in her own words is below):

After studying business / computer science in college and having a career in Information Technology, I left the corporate world and returned to my passion for natural healing.

I became certified in Yoga, Yoga Dance, Shiatsu Practitioner, Reiki Master Teacher, and Master teacher of Integrated Energy Therapy.

I studied and taught yoga in the Yucatan with Baron Baptiste, in Massachusetts at the renowned Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, on cruise ships, at the top of Haleakala in Hawaii, as well as teaching at Hindu temples and yoga studios.

I also practiced Shiatsu, Reiki, and IET in New York City at the Ohashi Institute, Vassar College, and at the Zen Buddhist Monastery in the Catskill Mountains.

In 2013, I found the Jackson Yoga School of Excellence and met the owner, Deborah Perry, at a yoga class.

During meditation, I heard a voice that said, “Just wait, this is the place you’ll meet some of the most important people in your life.”

The first weekend at the yoga center had a warm and welcoming energy, and the education and depth of knowledge from the teachers and students was intriguing and captivating. Plus, I knew I had to continue coming back to see who else I could meet that would be so important to me in this
amazing yoga school.

The yoga center of Jackson had a wide range of subjects covered, so I couldn’t wait for the next weekend of in-depth studies.

I wasn’t sure if I needed or had time to study and earn another yoga certification.

But my path kept leading me to another weekend of studies at the yoga center, then another.

In 2025, Deborah said, “You have enough credits to graduate soon.”

How did that happen? I was just loving and learning each weekend, while meeting the most amazing people and here I am graduating with a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher certificate and as a Certified Yoga Therapist certificate.

Thank you, universe, for leading me to Western Tennessee, the Yoga Teachers School of Excellence in Jackson, Tn., and to meeting the most inspiring and important people in my life.

Thank you Deborah for holding the space for teachers and students to share and learn so each of us can see the world and each other with light and love.

05/19/2025

Congratulations to our newest certified 200-hour yoga instructor Gracie Hardison! We are so proud of your hard work and dedication 🎉🎉
Below is Gracie's story on why she went through our program:

After graduating from college in May 2023, I took a gap year before starting PA school with the intention of pursuing a personal goal I had set years earlier: becoming a certified yoga instructor.

My yoga journey began in 2020, during the height of the pandemic. I started by following YouTube videos, often struggling to make it through a full flow. It was challenging—physically, mentally, and emotionally—but I stuck with it. Over time, I discovered a deep passion for the practice that has continued to grow ever since.

Determined to further my understanding and share this practice with others, I decided to take the next step and enroll in a teacher training program. When searching for the right fit, Deborah’s program stood out immediately. From our very first meeting, I knew it was where I belonged. Her intelligence, depth of experience, and dedication to her students made all the difference. She and Jennifer took the time to answer my (many!) questions and helped me truly absorb the teachings.

Since beginning the program in October 2023, I’ve learned so much, not just about yoga, but about myself. I’m incredibly grateful to Deborah, Jennifer, and the amazing community of classmates who supported and inspired me throughout the journey.

04/10/2025

🌿 Yoga for Premenopause, Perimenopause, Menopause, and Beyond
APRIL 26th and 27th
Join us for an enlightening journey where ancient yoga wisdom meets modern Science in our 300-Hour Advanced/Yoga Therapy/Continuing Education event, "Yoga for Premenopause, Perimenopause, Menopause, and Beyond."
Jennifer Emerson, RYT 500, YACEP, and Dr. Stephen Bergquist, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, YACEP, will lead the workshop.
Life's transitions, like menopause, often feel like pauses—but they hold profound opportunities for growth. Yoga teaches us to embrace these moments gracefully, finding purpose and peace in stillness. Together, we'll explore how ancient practices, including asanas, mudras, mantras, and meditation, can guide us through life's natural rhythms. 🕉️✨
What to Expect
Modern Science meets Yoga
Learn a little science about the pauses and asanas, pranayama, and other yoga tools that have been shown to help balance hormones with Dr. Bergquist, who will also discuss medications and supplementation that are widely used, which may impact your yoga students.
Managing Symptoms
Discover how Yoga can alleviate common symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Explore the calming power of mantras to center the mind and body, as supported by research published by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Studies.
Enhancing Well-being
Practice meditative techniques and philosophies inspired by the Bhagavad Gita and other yogic texts, promoting mental tranquility and acceptance. Incorporate guided yoga nidra sessions for deep relaxation, alongside contemporary research from the Mayo Clinic highlighting the unique benefits of nidris and similar practices.
Strength and Flexibility
Learn to develop sequences tailored to support bone health and joint flexibility, which are essential during these life stages. Learn how to integrate specific techniques, like dynamic flow yoga and restorative poses, to strengthen the body. Harvard Medical School's Insights emphasize Yoga's role in maintaining physical vitality.
Embracing Mantras and Mudras
Delve into the power of sound and gesture. Mantras like the soothing "So Hum," help calm the nervous system, while mudras like the Shakti Mudra encourage hormonal balance and emotional harmony.
Why This Workshop
This isn't just another yoga training; it's a fusion of time-honored practices with scientifically backed methods to help you and your students navigate premenopause, perimenopause, menopause, and beyond with grace, strength, and meaning.
⚠️ Space is limited—don't miss out! This workshop is expected to fill up quickly, so reserve your spot today.
🗓️ When: 8:00 am - 4:00 Saturday, April 26, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm Sunday, April 27, 2025
📍 Where: Yoga Teachers School of Excellence at the Yoga Center of Jackson/365 North Parkway, Suite 300 in Jackson, Tennessee.
💲Cost: $200 for YA Approved Continuing Education/$225 for 1 module for Advanced Teacher Training (includes YA required mentoring.)
🔗 Register Now: Call 731-664-6633. If there is no answer, we are likely teaching. Please leave a detailed message and we will return your call.
Although PayPal payments are available, you'll need to call the studio to register so that we can make sure that the training meets your needs.
Important 2025 Change in Registration
Due to recent significant problems with last-minute cancellations, the Yoga Teacher School has instituted a non-refundable Registration Deposit of $75 due at the time of registration for all future trainings. The deposit will be applied toward the class fee but will not be refunded if you do not attend.

Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a yoga instructor looking to expand your expertise, this training empowers you with the tools you need to help your students on and off the mat!

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02/09/2025

Yoga mat for you is going to waste here, what's your excuse?

Yoga has been found to physically alter your brain in ways which could bring a multitude of physical and mental health benefits.

02/09/2025

🎉✨ Congratulations, Agnes Kovacs! ✨🎉

Your journey to becoming a certified yoga teacher is nothing short of inspiring! Through dedication, perseverance, and a deep love for the practice, you have embraced the challenges and triumphs along the way.

Even when obstacles arose, you remained committed to your growth, embodying the very essence of yoga—connection, strength, balance, and mindfulness.

Your unwavering passion has led you to this beautiful milestone, and we couldn’t be prouder of you. As you step into this new role, may your teachings bring peace, joy, and transformation to those who practice with you. 🌿💫

You are simply a delight!

In Agnes' words:

My Yoga Journey ✨🧘‍♀️

I have always been interested in health and being well physically, mentally, and emotionally. I started yoga after high school in Budapest, Hungary, at Swami Maheshwarananda's ashram. Later on, I earned a Bachelor's as a P.E. teacher and recreation specialist and taught a lot of different physical activities.

Yoga has always stood out for me as the most consciously experienced movement style—a moving meditation where the bodily sensations and breath drive the practice. Along with yoga, meditation has nurtured me to thrive for harmony and compassion for all living beings.

In 2020, I began studying at the Yoga Teachers School of Excellence.

During Covid, it became even more evident to me how beneficial yoga is—my body tensed up more than ever before, and yoga provided the best release and grounding in those stressful times.

I am forever deeply grateful for the Yoga Teachers School of Excellence for its outstanding teachers, constant support, and nurturing and open environment where all students can flourish.

I am committed to deepening my knowledge even more in the future to create the most suitable experience for people who choose to practice with me.

Namaste—I bow to the divine light and potential in each of us. 🙏✨

💕

02/03/2025

Civil rights icon Rosa Parks not only practiced yoga but taught it for over 30 years. Photo credit to the Library of Congress.