Light on Life book signing, Booksmith, Boston. Photo: Todd Semo ©2005
IN MEMORY OF JUDI ANN RICE 1946–2014 BY ALEX CLEVELAND Judi Rice in Krounchasana
Judi Ann Rice, beloved Iyengar Yoga teacher from the southeast
upon those for personal inspiration
region, passed away on Dec.12, 2014. She enjoyed telling people
and direction. Judi was insightful,
she was from “Pewee Valley,” a quaintly unique “southern” town
honest, and direct. She saw
outside metropolitan Louisville, Kentucky. Judi’s integrity and
greatness in others, and reflected
professional dedication was tempered with a quick humor and
upon the “flaws” in others as opportunities to learn, recognizing
delight in friends and students. Simultaneously courageous and
that any of us might be that person in another circumstance.
vulnerable, she valued all the challenges life could offer.
She looked deeply into life and all it offered. As she moved through multiple myeloma, she found time to gather together
A dedicated student of the Iyengars and Patricia Walden,
longtime students, now teachers, to share her props,
Judi skillfully shared the teachings of Iyengar Yoga with
photographs of the Iyengars, and her vast yoga library. She was
many students locally in Kentucky, around the country, and
especially happy to share her books, knowing that others would
in regular retreats here and in Mexico. Judi had a discerning
have years to draw comfort, peace, and understanding from
eye and easily helped students move deeper in their practice
sources that had served her well.
and understanding.
She poured herself out to her students in teachings that were clear, beautiful, and transformative.
Judi drew great strength from her faith. Before her diagnosis, she had prayed to be an instrument, a servant for God. She was thankful for all she had—family, the path of yoga, being able to travel to India annually for many years, as well as the experience of other cultures and countries. She was very grateful and prayed for God to use her life in whatever way was
In fall 2014, Judi told a handful of longtime students she was
meant to be. Her years receiving medical treatments were times
making her final arrangements and planning a Feast of
of prayer and reflection. She worked with scripture, sutras, and
Gratitude. There would be no eulogies or formal speeches but,
poems during the long sessions of treatment. Judi did not wish
instead, a celebration. On Jan. 4, 2015, more than 300 people
to struggle or fight against death but asked instead for inner
came to her Gratitude Feast—people she loved, friends, family,
guidance. She did not wish to go, did not want to fight, but
students. The gathering opened with the song “Let Us Gather by
asked to stay as long as she was meant to and no longer. She
the River” and closed with “Amazing Grace.” Thoughts and
wished for direction in her course of action. Sometimes this
remembrances left by Judi were shared as two huge banquets
was not as her doctor would have advised, but he grew to
were enjoyed: one of vegetarian Asian fusion food, the other
appreciate and respect her sense of what needed to be done or
southern comfort food, with delicious fruit tarts for dessert.
needed to be avoided.
Judi wanted there to be plenty of food and small group tables for people to meet, laugh, cry, and reminisce. A beautiful
After the first round of treatments and a period of not
gathering, the Feast of Gratitude was a lovely and meaningful
instructing, she returned to teach a weekly intermediate yoga
reflection of Judi.
class. The class could last for hours; there was no fixed end. She poured herself out to her students in teachings that were
Judi’s practice was inspiring to many. She described herself as
clear, beautiful, and transformative. We marveled among
“relentless” in her teaching, which challenged us, but we knew
ourselves at how beautiful she looked, though much thinner
that what she asked of us was nothing more than what she
and with a scarf covering her head. She continued to draw
asked of herself. Her intensity was quickly experienced, and
upon an inner wellspring of vitality. Judi often recalled an
many recognized the underlying compassion of that
interview that Prashantji had given her. She had asked, “What
commitment. She often reminded us of Geetaji’s comment that
role does ‘grace’ have in yoga?” He replied, “It is all grace.”
“Too much of a good thing is still too much.” The work Judi did in her life for the local community and for the greater yoga
That was true for Judi; she was all grace.
community was always guided by “How is this helpful?” and “Who does it serve?”
Alex Cleveland (Introductory II) teaches at Yoga at Crescent Hill in Louisville, Kentucky, and co-chairs the membership and regional
Guruji’s integrity and clarity spoke deeply to Judi, and she drew 34
support committees on the IYNAUS board. Yoga Samachar Spring /Summer 2015
