Just Say Om

Montclair resident Jillian Pransky seemed to have it all. Her life was filled with good health, a happy marriage, and a lucrative job as a marketing director at a major publishing house. However, in 2000, when her sister-in-law passed away at a premature age, Pransky was forced to ask herself the ultimate question: "Am I spending every minute in a way that completely allows me to engage life as fully as possible?"

The answer to Pransky's question altered her life forever. Already, since 1995, she had been teaching yoga part-time in addition to her full-time job, and then finally decided to teach yoga on a full-time basis. Shockingly, she just as quickly changed her mind. "I left my job on a Friday and I asked for it back on a Monday! That weekend, I felt as if I was freefalling. I wouldn't have known how strongly I identified with my job until the absolute anxiety I experienced when I left," said Pransky. 

Although Pransky ultimately did return back to work, this time she devised a different plan. "I went back to work for another year and spent that time visualizing and preparing for my actual exit. I put away a year's worth of rent so if my fantasy of making a living from yoga didn't work I could actually flounder for one year," she said. "That gave me a level of confidence that attracted everything I needed. I never had to go into that savings!"

Pransky has been on a roll ever since. She has been able to study and practice with yoga masters all over the world, and ha studied since 1998 with Pema Chodron, a well-known Buddhist nun. She is currently Director of Restorative Yoga Teacher Training for Yoga Works and co-director of Bright Spirit Yoga Teacher Training.

Pransky and her family, which includes husband Brad and 7 year-old-son William, are very happy to call Montclair their home. After an 18-year stint in Hoboken, they moved to Montclair five years ago. "I had a three year old ... I found myself feeling a lack of community and a craving for something more family-oriented," revealed Pransky.

The family had considered other nearby towns but once they found their Monclair home, there was no looking back. "I read an ad about my current house. It sounded perfect so I had a local friend go scout it out for me," she said. "They called me and said 'you must come look at it. I feel like you could buy it without even seeing it.' Of course, this is now our home."

Pransky could not stop sharing her love over Montclair. "Strangers say hello on the street when they pass you. People look you in the eye when they say hello. People hold the door open for each other at stores," she said. "There is a polite, mindful awareness that we are sharing this town. It comes across in the grocery store, at school, in the park. I am also amazed by how many extremely talented people are in this town – and that many of them offer their art or expertise or skill at events in town."

She is thrilled to be able to share her passion with Montclair. Pransky teaches at Lotus Yoga in Montclair on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.  She will also be leading an Autumn Equinox Yoga Celebration at Garden State Yoga on September 11th. She teaches all over the country leading various workshops and retreats at international holistic centers such as Kripalu and Omega. Pransky also offers local special events, including an annual outdoor mini retreat at Van Vleck House and Gardens.

While Pransky's teaching is influenced by many types of yoga, she teaches a mindful slow-flow vinyasa, merging breath awareness with alignment and strength with relaxation. While she works with all populations and levels, her specialty is working with students who want to be more present and relaxed in their lives, as well as those who are dealing with injuries and illness. In addition to her yoga practice, she also created a guided relaxation CD called Relaxmore. It has received reviews from many, including Dr. Mehmet Oz, and is used at the Heart Institute at New York Presbyterian Columbia University Medical Center.

For more information on Pransky, please check her site: http://www.yogajillian.com.