Teacher
Biography

Gweon Jung Eun

Jung’s journey into yoga is a critical part in a continuing process of personal growth and self-discovery. Ten years ago, she was a 70kg tomboy who had black belts in Aikido and Taekwondo, as well as practicing Judo and Kendo. She had gotten into martial arts to convince her mother she would be safe on her first overseas trip, leaving South Korea for New York City at age 19.

After working and living in NYC, by age 22 Jung decided she needed to focus on her English language skills, traveling to the UK for seven months of study. In London, she absorbed Western culture, became socially aware and active, and made international friends with whom she traveled across Europe. Her travels took her further, to Southeast Asia and then to Canada and Japan.

Six years ago, as a university student back in South Korea, Jung began a “physical” relationship with yoga by beginning her practice by accepting a job as a teacher of yoga without knowing the fundamentals that differentiate yoga as a mere exercise from yoga as a way of living. Despite developing a reputation as a popular studio instructor, Jung became fed up with teaching the superficial elements of the asana. She eventually began to feel as if she were lying to her students and she moved from that experience to take up dance therapy while in post-graduate studies… Things came to a head when one day Jung found herself in tears, distraught about the lack of meaning in her life.

That was the turning point. In October 2007, Jung came to Japan in search of herself… and soon stumbled into YogaJaya. The experience exposed her to a real yoga practice, and she was soon taking classes five times a week, attending workshops and finally completing YogaJaya International Teacher Training. She is certified as a YogaJaya Accredited Teacher (YJAT) and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance. For the first time in her life, Jung explored her own deepest feelings, experiencing joy, sadness, fear and a sense of deep connection not only with herself but with everyone she met at YogaJaya. Her experience of freedom and communication has grown ever further now that she has joined the teaching staff of YogaJaya.

Immersing herself in yoga, Jung still maintains balance by practicing Thai massage and specialized yoga for pregnant women. She also has a continuing desire to learn more about the body and its manipulation through dance and other movement, as well as through healing-yoga, massage, ChineseTai Chi and Bikram, or so-called “hot yoga”.  Jung graduated from Seoul Women’s University with double-majors in Child Studies and in the Science of Adolescence. She has also spent time as a counselor, helping with people in various challenging educational and social circumstances.

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Copyright 2007, yogajaya. All rights reserved. Photos by Kiyoto and Peter M. Cook