On Deck with Jillian Pransky
By Kevin Giordano
CITYNY MAGAZINE — February / March, 2000

In 1994, the New Jersey native landed at St. Martin’s Press as marketing manager and by 1997 was working with a $3 million budget. She had already been nationally certified through the American Counsel on Exercise (ACE) in 1990, and worked evenings as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. A life of wearing two hats finally caught up with her and in 1994, she was suddenly faced with a personal crisis. “Truthfully, I was stressed out of my mind,” she recalls, “I passed a yoga sign, went in, and after that went to classes five times a week for three years.”

After regular study and genuflecting to the yoga gurus, (which included soul-searching trips out west), Jillian was certified at Yoga Zone. After securing a foothold and student base, she then gave notice. Three weeks later, however, she reneged. “I got too scared,” she says, “I didn’t have a savings— I wasn’t ready for the commitment.” Finally, in May 1999, she gave her notice again-this time for good. “It was interesting to watch people at work when I left,” she remembers. “I got a lot of perplexed looks.” Jillian’s style of teaching draws on the strength building of Astanga, the alignment methods of Iyengar, and the relaxation of Restorative yoga. “What yoga means to me is not how you do a pose, it’s getting sensitive to your own body. That’s what you take with you into your daily life.” Jillian conjures visuals in class to accent the poses. Her customary choice of “water” as an image helps wring out memories of the concrete jungle. For her corporate sessions, there’s a different challenge. “You have to create a vacation time. How fast can you swing them into a space where they forget about work and then bring them back again?”

Although she prides herself on accommodating each individual, she encourages her students to listen closely to themselves. “How do you get quiet enough to learn how to listen to your own voice?” she says. “That’s how I left my job. I just got quiet enough to listen to my own voice.”

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BIO

Jillian Pransky is a New York City/New Jersey based yoga instructor. She is Director of Restorative Yoga Teacher Training for Yoga Works Nation-wide, co-director of Bright Spirit Yoga Teacher Training, and leads programs at Kripalu, Omega, and other international venues. Known as a nurturing guide with uplifting energy, Jillian’s teaching focuses on brining the practice of yoga and meditation into everyday life. 

At age 9, Jillian was first introduced to yoga as well as initiated into TM Meditation (her mother’s idea of ‘family counseling’). But it wasn’t until 1995 that she began a passionate study of yoga, and in 1998, was initiated into the ISHTA yoga lineage by Yogi Raj Alan Finger and his father Mani Finger.

She has been graced with the opportunity to study deeply with many masters and today, her work is greatly influenced by Erich Schiffmann, John friend, and somatic movement therapist Dr. Ruella Frank. As a student of Pema Chodron’s for over 10 years, Jillian’s yoga is infused with Buddhist meditation and spirituality. She also draws from trainings with T.K.V. Desikachar, Gary Kraftsow, Angela Farmer, Stephen Cope, Charles and Lisa Matkin and more. She is a E-500 Registered Yoga Alliance teacher, ISHTA Yoga Certified, Anusara trained and Certified in Restorative Yoga Therapy and Thai Yoga Healing.

In 2000, after 10 years in the corporate world, Jillian left her position as Mass Market Marketing Director for St Martin’s Press to transform her part time yoga career into her a full time passion. Since then she has been featured in Dr. Memhet Oz's video YOGA 101, as well as many magazines including Yoga Journal, Self Magazine, Family Circle, Kripalu Bulletin Magazine, Yoga Mentor, and has appeared on CNN.

Her Relaxmore CD has garnered excellent reviews from many including Dr. Memhet Oz and is used in the healing program at the Heart Institute, New York Presbyterian Columbia University Medical Center. Jillian produces a Healing E-Newsletter called Yogalicious. Visit her website at: http://www.yogajillian.com

MORE ABOUT MY TEACHERS

Yoga means Union of Body, Mind and Soul. Each of my teachers has influenced me greatly, with a bit of a ‘bent’ in one of these aspects of the trinity – body, mind, or soul. I have infinite gratitude for each of them.

THE SOUL
ERICH SCHIFFMANN
Erich is famous for his down to earth, real guy, simply approach. His brilliance is in making the very deep totally simple and usable. Meditation is always the foundation of his work, and he is the consummate guide into ‘Big Mind’. I’ve been a student of Erich’s since 1998 and with his guidance, I’ve learned how to soften my ‘outline’; to feel how the molecules of me mingle with the molecules around me. I’ve experienced how I am an individual ‘wave’, but never separate from my source - the infinite ocean. He’s the one who helped me ‘get it’  - helped me surf into the experience of Oneness. I am forever grateful for his bright, brilliant, BIGNESS.  http://www.movingintostillness.com


THE MIND
PEMA CHODRON, BUDDHIST NUN, MEDITATION MASTER
I’ve been a student of Pema since 1999.  In fact, I have been gifted the opportunity of being the Yoga Teacher during her Annual Omega Meditation Retreat since then. My time with Pema has transformed me on so many levels and informs my approach to asana, meditation, healing - and just plain living in the human world.  Through her teaching I’ve learned that instead of ignoring, overriding or eradicating a thought or emotion, I can witness it, make room for it, and relax until its ‘charge’ lessens. This allows me to find the courage to ‘stay’ with discomfort, find compassion for my self and others, and ultimately have more power in choosing how I spend my energy.  I am giddy over Pema’s influence on me, and how it has helped me to embrace myself and widen my mind and heart for all beings. http://www.pemachodron.org


THE BODY
JOHN FRIEND
I studied with John for over 200 Hours and received an Anusara Affiliation status while it was an active term. I draw heavily from my Therapeutic Training with him whether I’m working with a student who is healing or healthy. Through his expert understanding of our structure, his confident connection to Grace, and his uplifting energy, John inspired me to trust in my well-being, embody myself fully, and power up my will; to root into myself while celebrating the beauty of Grace with-in and all around me. John’s system of alignment has helped me build an organized approach from which to work with and view the energy body and his integrating approach to alignment informs my Restorative Work. http://www.anusara.com

OF COURSE THERE ARE MANY MORE ….

ENERGY BODY, AYURVEDA
YOGI RAJ ALAN FINGER
Alan Finger was my first teacher. In my early 20s, I wasn’t always sure about the ‘mystical teachings’ that he gathered from actually living with various legendary yoga masters including Swami Venkatesananda (friend of T. Krishnamacharya and Sivananda’s ‘jewel student’), Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Nishraisananda, and Tantric master Shuddhand Bharati. Since I had no previous exposure, his teachings seemed outlandish. Come on…. Chakras? Nadis? Prana? Koshas? Goddesses? Mantras? Marma Points? Doshas?  Of course, today, these ‘esoteric’ ideas are very real to me and guide me as to how to best serve my students needs. Alan also educated us on how to integrate Ayurvedic principles in a yoga practice and use them in our daily life. I am grateful for his light-hearted yet confident approach to these ancient teachings, and I delighted to discover how much he has actually passed on to me. http://www.ishtayoga.com

SOMATIC MOVEMENT THERAPY
DR. RUELLA FRANK
For over 10 years I have been engaged in Ruella Frank’s work. She is Developmental Somatic Therapist. Ruella is an expert on how we physically develop from infants to adults based on our environment, relationships, and life experiences. She is a master at uncovering how our bodies reflect our ‘stories’; unweaving the tensions that limit our bodies and lives; and at linking our habitual patterns of body and mind. http://www.somaticstudies.com/

MORE TRAININGS, CERTIFICATONS - THERAPUTICS AND SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
I am grateful to have also had the opportunity to study in Teacher Trainings with these incredible masters who imparted their wisdom to me and helped me gain confidence to work with so many conditions. They are all in my ‘tool bag’ and heart.

T.K.V. Desikachar- Teacher Training – Therapeutic Applications http://www.kym.org/

Gary Kraftsow – Teacher Immersion - Therapeutic Applications http://www.viniyoga.com/

Charles and Lisa Matkin – Lots of training! Therapeutics, Chronic Illness. Lots of Love!!! http://www.matkinyoga.com

Sharon Salzburg – Meditation Immersion (and many workshops) http://www.sharonsalzberg.com/

Krishna Das – Chanting and Meditation immersion (many workshops and retreats) www.krishnadas.com

Stephen Cope – Meditation Immersion http://www.kripalu.org/presenter/V0000065/

Angela Farmer – Teacher Training - Finding form from inside teacher training http://angela-victor.com/

Jonas Westring – with whom I received a certification in Thai Yoga Healing http://shantaya.org/jonas_westring.php

Cheri Clampett and Arturo Peal, with whom I training in Therapeutic Yoga www.chericlampett.com

Certified through American Council of Exercise from 1990-1998, Personal Fitness and Health Instructor. http://www.acefitness.org/

And my life long teachers: My Mother Phyllis and Father Paul, My brothers Scott and Bennett. My mother – the one who started this whole thing – is an amazing artist. http://www.phyllispranskyartist.com

My husband Brad and son William – with whom I step into ‘school’ with every day.

And all my students! Whom with out, I would cease to grow as a teacher and a practitioner!

To all, I bow.

Students' Comments

Only the real master-teacher is blessed with that rare combination of gifts that enable students to blossom physically, mentally, and spiritually. Jillian Pransky embodies these gifts. Her teaching exists in that exciting liminal space between kinesthetic awareness and physical transcendence. Jillian’s ability to share her profound knowledge with humor, intelligence, compassion and boundless creativity is unparalleled. As a former professional dancer with over thirty years of experience in body/mind practices, I can truly say that she is among the finest teachers I have ever encountered. It is a privilege and a joy to study yoga with her. Namaste, — Tamara Chaplin Matheson

Jillian’s teaching style and deep respect for each student has literally changed my life. She is the only teacher I know who is completely lacking in judgment or ego when she teaches. I get a huge dose of love, just being in her class. I would follow her wherever she goes. — Rosanne Cash

I had been going to Yoga Zone for about 2 years before I had the pleasure of experiencing one of Jillian’s classes. The class was much different from any of the other classes I had taken to date. She brought a new approach to yoga making it less rigid and focused on getting the asanas “right”. I found that once your mind is not so set on doing it right your body kind of takes over and does it right naturally. Jillian has brought a certain flow of ease, sensuality, freedom and fun into her teaching and at the same time her students get all the benefits from her knowledge of yoga asana alignment and form. — Ana Suric

Jillian has a true gift for sharing yoga with others. She manages to make each person in her class feel like they’re the only one in the room, while maintaining a connection with everyone at once. Jillian keeps my practice fresh by reminding me to always look at my practice with a new perspective. I’m always amazed at how one tiny adjustment by Jillian can completely change the way I look at a pose. It’s an honor to study yoga with Jillian Pransky, and anyone who is lucky enough to learn from her and have that experience will be forever grateful. — Jodi Williams

Some people are born with a natural gift. Jillian is one of those individuals. She is a natural born teacher who beautifully shares her knowledge of yoga. I love her images that help explain yoga so simply. And her choice of descriptive language has always appealed to me. To use one of her adjectives Jillian is a “yummy” teacher. What I learn in her class I take with me each day in all facets of my life.— Colleen Smith Wallnau

I never knew the numerous benefits I could reap from practicing yoga even only a few times a week. I started to practice in April 2000 - Jillian was my first instructor and inspiration. With Jillian’s instruction I have embraced yoga into my life. Her unique and special way of teaching has allowed me to see the spiritual and physical side of the practice. The levels of awareness which have entered my life as a result are incredible! I feel as though I have matured five years in the last nine months. — Beth Seibold, Hoboken, NJ

I have been studying with Jillian consistently for the past three years and I think the most profound quality to her teaching that I have experienced thus far is how she continually shares her growth process with her students. It manifests in her words and in her touch Jillian’s light, love and dedication to life and all it’s beauty shows up in her teachings in every moment. It emanates out from her soul, which creates such a powerful relationship with her students. She is Yoga. She is completely present with each and every one of her students. When I take class with Jillian, I feel like I am in a private lesson. I feel her presence and love and support so strongly. I feel free to be with me and to listen to me. She is remarkable. —Jennifer McCabe

I made my way to Jillian’s class in desperation, I was going through one of the most emotionally difficult times of my life, where living through each day was my goal.....Jillian’s YOGA, is Jillian’s alone...her style is flowing and a workout from the INSIDE-OUT!!!! Her teaching has touched my heart and changed my life...it is my favorite part of my day....she is the epitome of someone finding their way along their path and loving what they do, it shines through.... Namast — Wendy

As my teacher, Jillian has provided me with the opportunity to grow into my own yogic experience. Jillian has been a light that illuminated my soul, my love, and my inner wisdom. Her teaching has given me a key to the source of love and possibility. I am grateful for Jillian’s courage, as she regularly shares her inner truth, love, and light with all of her students. Thanks!— Susan Richardson

Jillian’s non-rigid attitude and personal warmth is reflected in her teaching style and every class with her is truly special. Through her teaching, I have learned how to truly make my yoga practice my own. By allowing myself to let go and directing my focus inward, rather than outward, my practice has greatly improved both physically and mentally. — Dalita Keumurian

To study with Jillian is an invitation to study yourself spiritually & physically. Contrary to so many yoga classes in New York City where the process is akin to a workout on ESPN and removed from the study of yoga, Jillian urges you to explore your body, and, as a result, your mind and spiritual self. Perhaps what I admire most about working with Jillian is that she herself is in a constant state of evolution. No sooner than she has absorbed a weekend or retreat with Eric Schiffman or the study of Thai massage, does she immediately impart her learnings to her students. As a result, there is never a predictability to her classes and to her teachings, nor a challenge to simply strike a pose with the purpose of attaining the most extreme possibility. — Lisa Sitjar

Yoga with Jillian is a treat. Her classes are always different. She brings her own practice to ours and we work on what she has discovered for herself. Her teaching is very fluid. She delights us with humor and her fresh view of the world. Her love of Yoga and joy in the potential in all of us is evident. I always feel as if I’m in a private class even when we are a class of many. She transforms the YMCA basement into a sacred space. I always know when I enter that room that I am doing something very, very good for myself. I have never been disappointed. — Nancy Greene

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