Have You Met Jo Buckley?

We are thrilled to announce that starting THIS Sunday Jo will be taking over the Sunday 10am Vinyasa class. (Alisha had to give it up because she is taking a 300hr that meets on Sundays!). Jo has been with us for a long time and taught the Tues Vinyasa class while Alisha was on maternity leave… we’re SO happy to have her joyful spirit back on the weekly calendar! We asked her some questions so you can catch her vibe!

What are you currently offering at Be Free? 

Come join me Sunday mornings at 10 am for a vinyasa flow! We'll have a great start to our day playing with fun postures as we move to the rhythm of our breath. 

Tell us about your yoga journey so far, when did you decide you wanted to teach?

I grew up a farm kid who had never heard of yoga until I came up to CSU for college. I tried a class at the Rec Center and was hooked, I found such relief in my mind and body and was excited to practice with the same people every week. Yoga stood out to me as a space where I didn't have to perform or achieve a certain measure, but could instead just get curious and practice appreciating what my body does for me each day. Within two years of my first class, I flew off to spend a summer in Mexico training for my 200-hour yoga teacher certification. Soon after, I got a job teaching at Windsor Yoga Family (where I first met the great Alisha Johnson!) and was so moved by the deep healing people found in class. The sweet laughter, tears of release, and wonderful connections kept me teaching there as I navigated grad school and career moves. When COVID and job changes landed me once again in Fort Collins, I looked up the closest studio, and I was surprised to see Alisha teaching there! I jumped in and Be Free immediately became my home. I am honored to take the baton from Alisha for teaching this Sunday class because I am eager to become more and more involved in this sweet community we have.

What are you finding most inspiring in your life right now?

I am loving learning more and more about the changing seasons! For the first time, my partner and I have a home just for us and I get to watch how our front tree changes, see what my garden has to share with each passing week, and lean into the coziness of a darker evening. I am pairing this with reading about ancient traditions to mark the passing of the year and incorporating aspects of those into what I can craft, or read, or share with others. I feel the sparks of curiosity and creativity paired with some deep peace and connection to all those who came before me in my lineage and on this land. If you need me, I'll be making twig wreaths and flower crowns!

What teacher has made the biggest impact on your life?

I feel so lucky to have had so many wonderful teachers, both in the classroom and in the yoga studio throughout my life. Currently, my most impactful experience has been meditating with a Buddhist monk, Loden Nyima, who often visits our community in Fort Collins and the Drala Mountain Center. In his silent meditation retreats, he just shares a couple of thoughts that I come back to daily: "welcome, welcome, welcome; include, include, include" as a mantra to our inner self, and the idea that even much of the strain or suffering we feel is rooted in our compassionate heart just trying to do its best. His teachings, and time in silence, have helped me be so much sweeter and kinder to myself. My hope is that we can all practice that gentleness with ourselves as we play on the mat during Sunday morning vinyasa.

Whats something people might not know about you?

In addition to yoga, I have a 9-5 job working for the county that I love! My job is to improve health across the county by supporting social connection. I am often supporting communities from Berthoud to Red Feather Lakes and working on all sorts of structural issues that leave folks isolated. My work is so important to me and lessons learned from my job make it all the more special that I can always find so much support and connection whenever I walk through the doors at Be Free. That is just another reason why I am so passionate about contributing to our Be Free community.  

Anything else you want to share?

It is my true honor to get to teach in this space! I hope to see you on Sunday mornings and always love hearing feedback and ideas for how we can make our space more loving, more inclusive, and even more fun. See you on the mat!

Join Jo Sundays 10am Vinyasa