12/02/2026
With profound love, immense sadness, and above all, immense gratitude, I must accept the passing of my beloved Joya ๐ โค๏ธ.
She was one of the most beautiful, kind and pure souls to have graced this Earth , and she has enriched my life, and lives of many who knew her in endless ways.
The sharp pain of her loss pierced my heart ๐ and I initially believed that my loss was solely mine. However, I was overwhelmed by the influx of emails and messages from numerous individuals. Many of my yoga students, and many participants of our retreats over the past twelve years, reached out with emails expressing their gratitude directly to Joya. They thanked her for her unwavering emotional support, always sensing when someone was struggling and providing comfort either by lying on their mat or offering her paw to the ones in need. Her kindness, watchful presence during yoga classes and hikes, and unwavering care were invaluable. Joya genuinely enjoyed her self-chosen work during retreats and took her responsibilities very seriously. During our last 2025 retreat, which we held on Mljet, she was already experiencing significant illness, and I fervently encouraged her that she simply rests. However, Joya made a valiant decision to work one final time, and she did so with grace and love.
I wish to express my gratitude ๐๐ป also to my friends and to my sister, who all held her in high regard and provided her with unconditional love throughout her life. They were fully aware that she held a place of utmost importance in my life.
Joya, my dear friend, my soul mate, I will never be able to thank you enough for the incredible Joy and endless love youโve brought into my life over the past 12 years. Youโve touched the hearts of everyone youโve met, and you truly were, and will always be, my gift from the Universe.
Thank you my Love โค๏ธ๐๐ป
