JONJI PROVENZANO March 27th 1944 - September 1st 2008
One of the Hudson Valley’s most treasured teachers of yoga, meditation, and heart-centered living, Jonji Provenzano, died peacefully at his home in West Saugerties on Monday the 1st of September with his wife Suzanne at his bedside.
Jonji was born on March 27th, 1944 in Norwalk, Connecticut to Ignatius and Roberta Provenzano. He moved to Woodstock in 1969, where he worked as a master carpenter and Yoga teacher.
Jonji influenced thousands of yoga practitioners with his grounded, intelligent approach to yoga and to living. In 1991 he opened the Yoga Studio, one of the Hudson Valley’s first yoga schools. In 1999 he founded the River Cloud School of Yoga. His classes were known for their thought provoking, sometimes humorous, Dharma talks. He was also an ordained minister.
Diagnosed with 4th stage stomach cancer in May of 2007, he chose to turn his dying process into a learning experience for his students and friends. He shared his experiences through classes, one on one sessions, and his journal on CarringBridge ( http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jonjiprovenzano )
With courage, introspection and humor, he endured two courses of chemotherapy and one of radiation, all the while encouraging everyone to examine their own mortality. He put the medical staff at the hospital at ease with his playful smile and rollicking laugh.
In the 15 months since his diagnosis, Jonji recorded a CD of Tibetan Buddhist meditations, “Rest in Quiet Mind”, and a video of instructions on opening a home Buddhist shrine. Both are available as free downloads on MySpace ( http://www.myspace.com/restinquietmind ). He also finished writing a book "What To Do" on Yoga, Buddhism and Dying.
A musician most of his life, he learned to play guitar from his father. As a teenager, he formed “The Three Js”. After moving to Woodstock he played with Mark Black and the St. Johns Parish Folk Group. From 2000 until 2005 he sang with Prana.
If you would like to make donations in Jonji’s name please do so to Family of Woodstock ( http://www.familyofwoodstock.org/ )
