LOVE NOTES

KIP IRONMAN TRIATHLETE + COACH | SMILE-WEARER | CURIOUS SOUL

“BONNIE MEETS EACH YOGA STUDENT WHERE THEY ARE AND CHALLENGES GENTLY AND WITH KINDNESS. YOU WILL OFTEN HEAR HER SAY “TAKE WHAT YOU NEED AND LEAVE THE REST.” THIS IS THE FOUNDATION OF EACH AND EVERY LOTUS YOGA CLASS. WHILE I INITIALLY CAME TO YOGA AND BONNIE’S CLASSES TO WORK HARD AND BE MORE FLEXIBLE, SHE HAS TAUGHT ME THAT THE PRACTICE OFFERS SO MUCH MORE: A DYNAMIC PROCESS OF FINDING WHERE ONE’S BODY PUSHES BACK - THE EDGE - AND THEN RELEASING - LETTING GO. EACH CLASS BONNIE OFFERS HAS A CENTRAL THEME OR PASSAGE TO CHALLENGE STUDENTS. THESE COME FROM AN INCLUSIVE AND DIVERSE GATHERING OF INSPIRATIONAL FIGURES, AND THE CUMULATIVE RESULT IS REFRESHING. AS AN ATHLETE AND PROFESSIONAL, I FIND THIS PART OF BONNIE’S CLASSES ARE AS REWARDING AS THE INDIVIDUAL MOMENTS TRYING TO PRACTICE HEADSTAND OR SIDE ANGLE. CLASSES WITH BONNIE BENEFIT THE BODY, HEART AND MIND . . .”

LAURA PHYSICIAN | YOGI | SUPERHERO

“LOTUS YOGA . . I AM NOT SURE HOW IT BEGAN OR WHY I WENT BUT, ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, I WALKED INTO THE MOST PEACEFUL LOFT WITH WOOD FLOORS FILLED WITH KIND, OPEN-HEARTED PEOPLE AND WELCOMING FACES. I KNEW I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN AS A BUSY ER DOCTOR WITH 3 KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 5 AND A TOXIC MARRIAGE. I HAD TO FIND A WAY TO GIVE BACK TO MYSELF, EVEN IF FOR JUST ONE HOUR A WEEK. INITIALLY, I FELT GUILTY SPENDING TIME IN SUCH A “NON-PRODUCTIVE” ACTIVITY, BUT SLOWLY AND WITH GROWING BODY AWARENESS, MINDFULNESS AND LOVE, I GREW INTO A NEW EXISTENCE - SUPPORTED BY THE PATIENCE AND SOFT ENCOURAGEMENT OF BETHANY, BONNIE AND RHONDA AND ALL OF THE WONDERFUL YOGIS WITH WHOM I HAVE BECOME FRIENDS. LIFE CAN BECOME OVERWHELMING, EVEN WHEN EVERYTHING SEEMS OK ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT LOTUS YOGA IS A STUDIO THAT ENCOURAGES ONE TO GET TO KNOW THEMSELVES AND TO WELCOME ONESELF HOME . . . IN MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF MY PRACTICE, I HAVE LEARNED TECHNIQUES TO CALM AND FEEL GENUINE HEARTFELT GRATITUDE IN THE MOST DIFFICULT OF CIRCUMSTANCES. I HAVE FOUND A COMMUNITY AND HAVE COME TO BELIEVE THAT I AM NOT ALONE . . . WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND EACH ONE OF US COMES TO THE MAT INDIVIDUALLY BUT LEAVES WITH GREAT UNITY CONSCIOUSNESS. LOTUS YOGA WELCOMES THE MOST DIVERSE GROUP OF HUMANS I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED, ALL WITH A SIMILAR GOAL . . . TO AWAKEN, TO BE FREE, TO BE JOYFUL, TO BE FREE OF SUFFERING. CLASSES CAN BE ATHLETIC OR RESTORATIVE BUT ALL ARE MINDFUL AND EXPLORATORY AND GUARANTEED TO IMPROVE YOUR LIVE . . . IF YOU CAN TAKE THE TIME TO LOVE YOURSELF.”

MIKE RETIRED LAWYER + CEO + INVESTMENT BANKER | MASTER OF SARCASM | YOGA SKEPTIC TURNED DEVOTEE

“AN AVOWED YOGA SKEPTIC (WHAT?! EVERYBODY JUST SITS AROUND HUMMING ‘OOOOHHHHMMM,” RIGHT?), I ATTENDED MY FIRST CLASS ON A DARE. IT WAS A HOT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, AND I HAD NOTHING PRESSING TO DO, SO THE “CHALLENGE” TO COME AND SEE WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT WAS A GAUNTLET I SIMPLY HAD TO TAKE UP. MAN, WAS I EVER IN FOR AN EXTENDED LIFE LESSON! IN NO TIME, I FOUND MYSELF ON AN UNFAMILIAR MAT IN UNFAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS . . . SOON SWEATING PROFUSELY WHILE STRAINING MIGHTILY UNDER THE CACOPHONY OF RICE KRISPIES SYMPHONY (“SNAP, CRACKLE AND POP”) . . . LUNGING ABOUT TRYING IN VAIN TO MIMIC THE INSTRUCTOR’S GRACEFUL (AND POWERFUL) MOVEMENTS, AND TRYING TO AVOID TOTAL EMBARRASSMENT. IN THAT FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH SAVASANA, I CONCLUDED THAT I SHOULD SIMPLY SLINK OUT THE DOOR AND NEVER COME BACK. JUST THEN, THE INSTRUCTOR KNELT BESIDE MY MAT AND BEGAN TO RUB MY HEAD AND SHOULDERS GENTLY (AS SHE DID FOR ALL IN ATTENDANCE) AND, IN AN INSTANT, THE WHOLE SAVASANA THING BECAME A SORT OF SACRED SURRENDER - ENCOURAGING A DISCARD OF THE PHYSICAL AND THE EMBRACE OF THE SPIRITUAL. SUBSEQUENT CLASSES FOSTERED MODEST, INCREMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT IN UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE. I RESOLVED TO KEEP AT IT; HOWEVER, IT PROBABLY TOOK A FULL SIX MONTHS OF WEEKLY CLASSES BEFORE I BEGAN TO APPRECIATE (1) WHAT YOGA CAN (AND IS INTENDED TO) DO FOR ONE’S MIND, SPIRIT AND BODY; AND (2) HOW MUCH THE GANG AT LOTUS YOGA IS LIKE FAMILY - WARM, FRIENDLY, KIND AND MUTUALLY SUPPORTIVE. BOTH ARE NOW ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF WHAT I LIKE TO THINK IS A BALANCED AND HAPPY EXISTENCE. NOW, MORE THAN 10 YEARS LATER, I LOOK FORWARD TO MY SESSIONS WITH BONNIE AS MORE THAN SIMPLY A “WORKOUT,” BUT RATHER A 75 MINUTE “CONNECTING” SESSION, NOT ONLY WITH A FUN, GENTLE, INSPIRING (AND, YES, DEMANDING!) INSTRUCTOR, BUT ALSO WITH A GROUP OF LIKE MINDED YOGIS SEEKING TO CHALLENGE THEIR BODIES, ENRICH THEIR SPIRITS, AND EMBRACE THEIR COMMUNITY. ANYONE WILLING TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT WITH REAP MANIFOLD THE REWARDS.”

KAREN ANIMAL RESCUER | LOVER OF LAUGHTER | MOTHER TO ALL THE CHILDREN

“LOTUS YOGA WITH BONNIE MAKES ME FEEL SPECIAL EVERY SINGLE TIME I JOIN THE CLASS. IT IS AS THOUGH BONNIE IS TALKING DIRECTLY TO ME, HELPING ME, EVEN IN THE LARGEST OF CLASSES. BY SUPPORTING THE INDIVIDUAL, LOTUS HAS BECOME A COHESIVE FAMILY GROUP WHO HAPPENS TO PRACTICE YOGA TOGETHER. I HAVE FOUND A PLACE TO BECOME STRONG, MAKE FRIENDS, BE HEALTHY, EXPERIENCE JOY AND FUN, WHILE PRACTICING A BIT OF YOGA ALONG THE WAY.”

CHERYL BANJO STRUMMER | FREE SPIRIT | PROTECTOR OF THE PLANTS

“I HAVE BEEN ATTENDING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS WITH BONNIE CURRIE FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS. I HAVE FOUND MYSELF INSPIRED AND MY LIFE ENRICHED BY HER TEACHING AND HER GENTLE, LOVING SUPPORT. BONNIE EMPHASIZES ACCEPTANCE OF SELF, PROGRESS WITHOUT JUDGMENT OR COMPARISON, AND SHE ENCOURAGES BEING AT PEACE AND LETTING LOVE FIND ITS PLACE IN OUR HEARTS. I LEAVE EACH CLASS FEELING STRONGER AND MORE POSITIVE AND AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE LIFE TOOLS BONNIE SO GENEROUSLY SHARES.”

SUSAN COMPASSIONATE FRIEND | SEEKER | WEARER OF IRON MAN BOOTS

“BONNIE IS A PERSON WHO STRIVES TO MAKE EVERYONE SHE COMES IN CONTACT WITH A BETTER PERSON. SHE USED HER TALENTS AND EDUCATION FOR THIS. I MET BONNIE 6 YEARS AGO, WHEN MY DOCTOR THOUGHT YOGA WOULD BE GOOD FOR ME. IN DOING SO, I MET BONNIE AND LOTUS YOGA. AND SHE HELPED ME THOUGH ONE OF THE DARKEST TIMES . . . AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN HERE FOR ME SINCE.”

KEN CPA | CARETAKER | YOGA TEACHER

“I ENJOY TAKING CLASSES WITH BONNIE CURRIE OF LOTUS YOGA BECAUSE SHE INVITES EVERYONE TO TAKE WHAT THEY NEED AND LEAVE THE REST. SHE REMINDS US THAT HARDER ISN’T BETTER, IT’S JUST HARDER. AND SHE ENCOURAGES US TO APPROACH OUR PRACTICE WITH CURIOSITY AND CARE. EACH CLASS IS INCLUSIVE AND CENTERING. I MAKE TIME TO TAKE CLASS BECAUSE IT GIVES ME SO MUCH .”

PAUL SMALL BUSINESS OWNER | YOGA TEACHER | MUSICIAN

“I STARTED PRACTICING YOGA IN 2011 AND BECAME AN INSTRUCTOR IN 2013. AT FIRST, IT WAS JUST A WORKOUT AND A WAY TO LOOK GOOD AT THE BEACH. OVER THE YEARS, AS TRIALS AND PROBLEMS CAME UP, MY PRACTICE DEEPENED AND I SAW MORE THAN THE SURFACE, MATERIAL WORLD. THIS HAS BEEN AN AMAZING JOURNEY AND LOTUS YOGA HAS BEEN A BIG PART OF IT. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COPE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, DEPRESSION, FEAR AND ALL THE THINGS WE STRUGGLE WITH IN LIFE THAT CAUSE ANXIETY. TO SUM IT UP, THE DEEPER WE PRACTICE THE MORE AWARE WE BECOME. THANK GOD FOR THIS PRACTICE.”

LAURA KEEPER-OF-THE-LAWYERS | TRAPEZE ARTIST | QUEEN-OF-THE-MARSH

“BONNIE’S YOGA BALANCES MY SOUL. HER MEDITATIONS ALLOW FOR PEACEFUL REFLECTIONS. BONNIE’S YOGA = MY HAPPY PLACE.”

MARISA RADIANT HEART | SOUL-SEARCHER | WORLD TRAVELER

“LOTUS YOGA IS A GIFT. I WALKED IN SEVERAL YEARS AGO “THINKING.” NOW AS A YOGI AND MINDFULNESS PRACTICTIONER, I WALK INTO A COMMUNITY CALLED FAMILY LED BY GORGEOUS SPIRITS. LOTUS YOGA CHANGED THE TRAJECTORY OF MY LIFE. EACH MORNING, I RISE WITH GRATITUDE THAT I FIRMLY BELIEVE I AM ENOUGH. AND WHEN A MOMENT OF “THINKING” RISES THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM MY BELIEF, I HAVE LEARNED TO SIMPLY BREATHE AGAIN.”

TRISHA MOTIVATOR | RUNNER | TBI SURVIVOR

“THE PRACTICE OF YOGA HAS HELPED ME HEAL. I SUSTAINED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY OVER 30 YEARS AGO WHEN I WENT FOR A RUN AND WAS BEATEN, RAPED AND LEFT FOR DEAD. A PLACE I HAVE FOUND TREMENDOUS SUPPORT IS FROM MY YOGA STUDIO, LOTUS YOGA. MY PRACTICE AT LOTUS HAS PROVIDED A SAFE PLACE FOR ME TO EXPLORE LIVING INSIDE A NEW BODY AND A NEW MIND EVERY TIME I ARRIVE AT THE MAT. I LOVE THE CONFIDENCE MY PRACTICE GIVES ME AS WELL AS THE WAY LOTUS HELPS ME DEEPEN MY PRACTICE. FOR ME, YOGA HAS BECOME NOT ONLY A PHYSICAL PRACTICE THAT HAS HELPED CONTINUE MY RECOVERY, BUT ALSO A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE THAT HELPS ME STAY CENTERED, GROUNDED AND AT PEACE AMIDST THE STRESSES OF LIVING AS A BRAIN INJURY AND RAPE SURVIVOR. THE UNCONDITIONALLY WELCOMING COMMUNITY AT LOTUS ALLOWS ME TO CONTINUE TO LEARN, GROW, AND HEAL BOTH ON AND OFF THE MAT. FOR THIS I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.”

EDIE REALTOR | MOTHER | JOY-LIFTER

“I WAS A NEWBIE TO YOGA AND ANXIOUS TO ATTEND A CLASS NOT KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT WAS EXPECTED. THE INSTRUCTORS AT LOTUS YOGA MADE ME FEEL WELCOMED AND LET ME KNOW I WAS RIGHT WHERE I SHOULD BE FROM THE FIRST SECOND I WALKED IN THE DOOR. THEY ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEEK FROM THE CLASS WHAT YOU NEED AT THAT SPECIFIC TIME. THE VIBE IS AS MUCH ABOUT THE MIND AND SPIRIT AS THE BODY. AS A LONG TIME RUNNER WHERE I WAS ALL ABOUT HARDER, FASTER, AND LONGER, YOGA HAS BECOME A GAME-CHANGER FOR MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE. I TRULY APPRECIATE THE TEACHERS WITH THEIR WARMTH AND GENTLE GUIDANCE. MY HUBBY AND I GO TOGETHER FOR OUR WEEKLY DATE NIGHT. WHEN WE WALK OUT OF CLASS, WE DON’T HAVE A CARE IN THE WORLD. THE WORLD NEEDS MORE LOTUS YOGA.”

CARISSA YOGA TEACHER | MAMA | CREATIVE SOUL

“THIS IS MORE THAN A YOGA STUDIO. MORE THAN A HEALING SPACE. BETHANY AND BONNIE ARE THE WARMEST AND KINDEST SOULS. RHONDA’S INSTRUCTION HAS TRANSFORMED MY LIFE. I WILL HARD PRESSED TO FIND ANOTHER STUDIO FILLED WITH SO MUCH CARE, JOY AND LOVE FOR EACH BODY THAT WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR. A SANCTUARY INDEED. THANK YOU, FRIENDS, FOR THE LIGHT YOU SHINE!”

NANCY VISITOR | CARETAKER | WEARER OF KIND EYES

“LOTUS YOGA BECAME MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME LAST YEAR WHILE STAYING IN JACKSONVILLE TO HELP OUT WITH MY SISTER’S TERMINAL ILLNESS. THE WARMTH AND NURTURING THAT WAS GIVEN TO ME BY THESE 3 LOVELY YOGIS WAS A GIFT. THE STUDIO, THE COMMUNITY, THE PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICE ARE TRULY GEMS.”

ART POP | FIXER OF ALL THINGS FIXABLE | GROOVY DUDE

“WITHOUT THESE WONDERFUL LADIES, I MAY HAVE NEVER FOUND THE PRACTICE OF YOGA, WHICH HAS CHANGED MY LIFE IN MANY EXTRAORDINARY WAYS. THE INSTRUCTORS, AND THE COMMUNITY OF PRACTITIONERS THAT SURROUND, ARE ALWAYS BEYOND WELCOMING AND ENCOURAGING. BONNIE, BETHANY, AND RHONDA HAVE ALWAYS BEEN EXTREMELY ACCEPTING, SUPPORTIVE, AND INSPIRATIONAL TO ME AND MY YOGA PRACTICE. I FEEL SO LUCKY FOR THEIR FRIENDSHIP AND TEACHINGS.”

TRICIA YOGA TEACHER | AUTHOR | SHOW-UPPER

“I AM GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF SUCH A BIG-HEARTED YOGA COMMUNITY . . . “

MINDY HAIR ARTIST | ENTREPRENEUR | BAD ASS

“IT’S REALLY A BLESSING WHEN YOU FIND A SENSE OF FELLOWSHIP THAT CELEBRATES YOUR WEIRDNESS AND INTEGRATES IT INTO A PRACTICE THAT IS TRULY YOUR OWN. SOMEHOW BEING A ‘PROBLEM YOGA CHILD” IS COMPLETELY EMBRACED WITH A SMILE AND, TO ME, I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE COOLEST WAYS TO CREATE COMMUNITY IN A SPACE WHERE YOU CAN PRACTICE YOUR YOGA AT ANY LEVEL, GROW, DEEPEN SELF, AND LAUGH ALONG THE WAY. THIS FOR ME MAKES LOTUS YOGA MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME.”

MITCH RETIRED INVESTMENT BANKER | LOVE-SCATTERER | FRIEND OF TREES

“YOGA IS PERSONAL AND COMMUNAL. LOTUS YOGA ALLOWS ME TO BE MYSELF WHILE SURROUNDING ME WITH A NURTURING COMMUNITY. AS AN INDIVIDUAL, LOTUS EMPOWERS MY GROWTH AND MY GROWTH ENRICHES THE COMMUNITY.”

LEIGH PILOT | GODDESS | LOVER-OF-LIGHT

“HAVING PRACTICED YOGA AROUND THE WORLD FOR OVER 20 YEARS, I CAN UNDOUBTEDLY SAY LOTUS YOGA IS THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY PLACE I’VE FOUND. WITH LOTUS, THE PRACTICE IS AS MUCH ABOUT THE HEART AND MIND AS IT IS ABOUT THE MOVEMENTS. THERE IS TYPICALLY A PROFOUND MESSAGE SHARED IN EVERY CLASS, AND I HAVE ADDED EACH ONE TO MY MENTAL REPOSITORY. I CONSTANTLY FIND MYSELF REFLECTING AND DRAWING STRENGTH FROM Y LIBRARY OF LOTUS MESSAGES; NOT JUST STRENGTH TO MAKE IT THROUGH EACH BEAUTIFUL CLASS - BUT STRENGTH TO MAKE IT THROUGH LIFE. OVER THE YEARS, LOTUS HAS TAUGHT ME HOW TO IMPROVE MY PHYSICAL PRACTICE - BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOW TO GET BETTER AT THE PRACTICE OF LIVING GENTLY. “

LARA              WRITER | MAMA | SPARKLE-SPREADER

“BONNIE CURRIE AT LOTUS STUDIOS IS AN EXPERT IN TEACHING NOT ONLY THE PROPER FORM OF POSES BUT ALSO THE IMPORTANCE OF INTENTIONS, SELF-AWARENESS, AND ABOVE ALL, LISTENING TO AND HONORING OUR BODIES. HER CAREFULLY CURATED CLASSES FLOW SEAMLESSLY AND INTUITIVELY. THEY CHALLENGE STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, AND BALANCE WHILE RECOGNIZING THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS. BESIDES MAKING ME PHYSICALLY STRONGER, HER CLASSES ARE GROUNDING AND RESTORATIVE. AFTER RETURNING TO YOGA AFTER A YEAR LAPSE BECAUSE OF A MEDICAL ISSUE, BONNIE’S MENTORSHIP, PATIENCE, AND ABSOLUTE DEDICATION TO MAKING SURE I PROCEED SAFELY AND AT MY OWN PACE, EXCEEDS THE EXPERTISE OF A TEACHER AND SPEAKS TO THE TRUE HEART OF THIS PARTICULAR TEACHER. SHE BRINGS THAT HEART INTO EVERY ONE OF HER CLASSES. “