Hi: My name is Jared (avocado) Hirsch.

I love avocados! In fact I am the human embodiment of the avocado. In 1992 I was diagnosed with a chronic degeneration in my digestive tract. I could have responded to this in any number of ways. I chose to view it as something to learn from. Having this rare and special gift present itself at a rather early age enabled me to take the opportunity to enjoy what I have in life. Over time I came to realize that the standard goal oriented approaches that we absorb from our culture were making me miserable. Ironically, I was using yoga and other spiritual practices within this goal oriented model and the effects were quite damaging. But then I began to be able to appreciate where I was; I began learning to let go of that sense of achievement while doing my yoga practice and my practice began to be fruitful and changes in my life started taking place.

Over the past 10 years my practice has seen many approaches. From the meticulous alignment oriented to the gymnastic aerobic approach and everything in between. However, what began to put things into their proper place for me was the breath. When I let go of the physical achievement I was able to open up to a completely new and powerful experience of life.

I met my first mentor/teacher Jhon Tamayo director of the Atmananda Yoga and Holistic Healing Center in New York City. This is where I began to learn and develop the art of sequencing or organizing the postures into a coherent practice. My current teaching is influenced by the work of T. Krishnamacharya and some of his better known students. A central feature of my teaching is that I encourage the individual to create a practice that will accommodate their changing needs and goals.

When a person has a special condition or injury I enable him or her to become inspired by the things that can be done to help the condition. This kind of special need can be used as a starting point for initiating a deeper understanding of practice.

Whether a person has special needs or not, understanding Yoga as a tool to help a person live an integrated and happy life is worth exploring. And when you are practicing for the shear pleasure of practice in all its simplicity the benefits of this powerful work become apparent.

The experience of Yoga is always accessible; it is an ever-present quality that allows you to experience your life and how it is connected to everything else that exists. The integration of Yoga as a consistent component of my lifestyle, like brushing my teeth, has completely transformed my experience of my own aliveness. I am forever grateful to all my teachers and feel especially fortunate to share and pass along these gifts to any and all.

I have been teaching, studying and practicing Yoga since 1994. I bring with me a wealth of living experience. I am forever grateful and fortunate to have studied with many gifted teachers including Mark Whitwell, Carl Horowitz, Srivatsa RamaSwami and Shiva Rea. I am most interested in revealing the infinite potential in the individual as a source of life in the human condition. I currently teach private and group sessions in the Greater Boston area and I also offer Thai Yoga Therapy.

I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to email for schedule or call: jahvocado@hotmail.com 917.572.3708 www.jahvocado.org

Flyer Describing Jared's Yoga Class

Natasha Foy

Natasha has been teaching Vinyasa yoga for more than 8 years. She has completed advanced yoga teacher training with Mark Whitwell, among others. She praises Mark for reminding her that it is the practice itself which is our greatest teacher. She continues to learn from her students, teachers and her own practice – every day. Natasha teaches group classes and privately, working with practitioners of all levels of experience and capabilities while focusing on each individual’s needs. She encourages her students to discover the power of self-healing, to create positive life changes, and to spread the belief that anything is possible.