We celebrate the life and contribution to yoga Jaya made in South Africa.
Jaya anchored the roots of yoga in South Africa. Together with her guru, Swami Venkatesananda, (great friend and contemporary of Yogiraj Mani Finger) and Mani Finger’s student Roma Blair who formed the Australian IYTA (International Yoga Teachers Association) Jaya formed and chaired the South African IYTA. She organised the first SA Yoga Congress in then independent Lesotho (6-13 March 1978) with Swami Venkatesananda as patron and special guests Yogacharya BKS Iyengar from India, Dr Oki plus six of his teachers from Japan and Ann Sharpen IYTA president from Australia, all harmoniously sharing their particular style of yoga. She continued to teach yoga in Cape Town, participating in the workshop held in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden last year, at age 98. Maybe she was one of the oldest practicing yogini world wide.
A memorial will be held on Friday at the Sufi Temple:
183 Campground Road Newlands 7700 Tel: 021 671 8807
Tribute from her loving friend (and my yoga teacher) Glenn Ross Hudson
Good day. I am currently editing a paper and came across this post about the death of Jaya (Joan van Alphen). Just wondering if you would be able to share the date of death with me for an article.
Much appreciated!
Om shanti.