In Memory of Judi Ann Rice – Alex Cleveland

IN MEMORY OF JUDI ANN RICE 1946–2014

BY ALEX CLEVELAND

Judi Ann Rice, beloved Iyengar Yoga teacher from the southeast region, passed away on Dec.12, 2014. She enjoyed telling people she was from “Pewee Valley,” a quaintly unique “southern” town outside metropolitan Louisville, Kentucky. Judi’s integrity and professional dedication was tempered with a quick humor and delight in friends and students. Simultaneously courageous and vulnerable, she valued all the challenges life could offer.

A dedicated student of the Iyengars and Patricia Walden, Judi skillfully shared the teachings of Iyengar Yoga with many students locally in Kentucky, around the country, and in regular retreats here and in Mexico. Judi had a discerning eye and easily helped students move deeper in their practice and understanding.

She poured herself out to her students in teachings that were clear, beautiful, and transformative.

In fall 2014, Judi told a handful of longtime students she was making her final arrangements and planning a Feast of Gratitude. There would be no eulogies or formal speeches but, instead, a celebration. On Jan. 4, 2015, more than 300 people came to her Gratitude Feast—people she loved, friends, family, students. The gathering opened with the song “Let Us Gather by the River” and closed with “Amazing Grace.” Thoughts and remembrances left by Judi were shared as two huge banquets were enjoyed: one of vegetarian Asian fusion food, the other southern comfort food, with delicious fruit tarts for dessert. Judi wanted there to be plenty of food and small group tables for people to meet, laugh, cry, and reminisce. A beautiful gathering, the Feast of Gratitude was a lovely and meaningful reflection of Judi.

Judi’s practice was inspiring to many. She described herself as “relentless” in her teaching, which challenged us, but we knew that what she asked of us was nothing more than what she asked of herself. Her intensity was quickly experienced, and many recognized the underlying compassion of that commitment. She often reminded us of Geetaji’s comment that “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 community was always guided by “How is this helpful?” and “Who does it serve?”

Judi Rice in Krounchasana

upon those for personal inspiration and direction. Judi was insightful, honest, and direct. She saw greatness in others, and reflected upon the “flaws” in others as opportunities to learn, recognizing that any of us might be that person in another circumstance. She looked deeply into life and all it offered. As she moved through multiple myeloma, she found time to gather together longtime students, now teachers, to share her props, photographs of the Iyengars, and her vast yoga library. She was especially happy to share her books, knowing that others would have years to draw comfort, peace, and understanding from sources that had served her well.

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 meant to be. Her years receiving medical treatments were times of prayer and reflection. She worked with scripture, sutras, and poems during the long sessions of treatment. Judi did not wish to struggle or fight against death but asked instead for inner guidance. She did not wish to go, did not want to fight, but asked to stay as long as she was meant to and no longer. She wished for direction in her course of action. Sometimes this was not as her doctor would have advised, but he grew to appreciate and respect her sense of what needed to be done or needed to be avoided.

After the first round of treatments and a period of not instructing, she returned to teach a weekly intermediate yoga class. The class could last for hours; there was no fixed end. She poured herself out to her students in teachings that were clear, beautiful, and transformative. We marveled among ourselves at how beautiful she looked, though much thinner and with a scarf covering her head. She continued to draw upon an inner wellspring of vitality. Judi often recalled an interview that Prashantji had given her. She had asked, “What role does ‘grace’ have in yoga?” He replied, “It is all grace.”

That was true for Judi; she was all grace.

Alex Cleveland (Introductory II) teaches at Yoga at Crescent Hill in Louisville, Kentucky, and co-chairs the membership and regional support committees on the IYNAUS board.