A Letter to the Namaspa Community from its Founder, Suzie Newcome

As we approach Namaspa's 18th anniversary, it strikes me that I've been as much a student of this venture as a teacher. I created the studio out of a deep understanding of what I needed personally: a place of healing, a practice of discipline and growth, and a sangha of love and support. Yoga and meditation had already profoundly impacted my life, helping me shed layers of corporate stress and return to my authentic center. Looking around Bend in 2007, it seemed likely that these were tools everyone could benefit from. My passion was ignited. I was driven to bring to others the profound benefits I had begun to realize.

Can anyone truly "own" a community like this? While my vision got it started and my name is on the lease, I often joke that my main job as the owner is simply to make sure the bills get paid. Beyond that, Namaspa is truly a community committed to transformation. Together, we disrupt the human tendency toward fear, judgment, and isolation. We acknowledge the divine light in ourselves and each other, and through mindful action—movement, breath, and mental focus—we allow that light to illuminate our path forward.

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For a few years now, my personal path has been leading me toward a different field of study: law. While this may seem like a departure from the outside, it feels like a natural evolution to me. As a young woman I had intended to become a lawyer and majored in Government, applying to law school during college. However, I wasn't ready at that time and lacked the mentorship to understand what a legal career might look like. I decided to wait a few years and reapply, but when the time came, I applied to business school instead. I don't regret that decision; I loved my MBA program and classmates, and my corporate work was both interesting and challenging. But now, after guiding this incredible community, my yoga practice has done its work, revealing that my original mission is still waiting to be explored.

I want to assure you that Namaspa isn't going anywhere. I'll personally be starting law school at Lewis & Clark in Portland this August. I'll still oversee the studio and travel back regularly to take classes and meet with the teachers and leadership team. _________________________________________________________________________________

In many ways, this transition will allow Namaspa to grow beyond my initial vision. To encourage this, I'm creating a structure that will more directly reward our managers who work so hard behind the scenes. For the Redmond studio, the best option was to transition entirely to a "locally owned and operated" format. While the new studio, operating out of the same space we've had for a decade, won't be called "Namaspa," it will nonetheless be born from the heartfelt commitment and purpose of serving the community that underlies our mission and trainings. In Bend and Online, the studio will continue to be ably led by our Studio Manager, Bruce Morris, Assistant Manager, Gina Murphy, Communications Director, Lauren Davey, Social Media and Blog writer Breyn Hibbs, and Head of Training, Petit Pinson. They'll be supported by Lesley Barr, Sarah Valenzuela, PJ Fritchman and 30+ other fabulous teachers and massage therapists.

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To some extent, my venture into a legal career will be a test of the yoga and Ayurvedic philosophy and practices I've been dedicated to for so long. I've always held that yoga is a practice for life, and now I have the opportunity to apply myself and the power of this lifestyle to a new context and challenge. I know it will be drastically different than it would have been had I taken this path 30 years ago. For one thing, my focus now is on being of service to others. I've had the privilege over these years to serve this community and so many students, clients, and teachers, and I believe that helping others is my life’s purpose. Now, there will be a shift in the kinds of problems I will be helping to solve.

Another thing that will be different for me now is that I have the benefit of a broad base of legal mentors. In case you aren't aware, Bend has an amazing legal community, filled with bright minds and talented people who serve our needs. I've worked with some of them on an array of issues, including managing a complex estate as a personal representative with Tim Elliott, writing the legal argument to save Troy Field, supervised by Pam Hardy, helping to preserve Greenwood Cemetery with Ian Osteen, and benefiting from the support and guidance of attorneys such as Katie Tank, Mark Reinecke, Kyle Wuepper, and Ryan Correa in managing Namaspa and personal needs. One of our long-time students even became a local Judge! The Honorable Michelle McIver has given me a tremendous amount of support and encouragement. I'm so grateful for her mentorship and encouragement to sit in on her courtroom proceedings, and I’m proud to be attending her alma mater.

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Another mentor of mine, Baron Baptiste, said that being "teacher" and "student" are two sides of the same hand—both sides working together continuously. As I step back from being a teacher at Namaspa (my last class on the schedule will be on July 12), I look forward to being an even more dedicated student again. I envisage sharing my journey with you as it unfolds and hearing about yours. Perhaps we will be rolling our mats out in the studio, right next to each other.