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For internationally acclaimed yoga teacher Rina Jakubowicz, the journey began in a makeshift second-floor studio overlooking a dog park in Coconut Grove.
Twenty-six years ago, she first discovered yoga here, taking private lessons with Sarkis Vermilyea while also attending regular Ashtanga classes at the nearby Yoga Grove. One session in particular left a lasting mark: the day Vermilyea asked her to hold Samastithi — a motionless “Mountain Pose” — for an entire hour.
“That single experience taught me that yoga was much more than the physical practice,” Jakubowicz recalls. “It changed the entire trajectory of my life.”
Today, that budding student has emerged as a widely respected yoga teacher and practitioner — and now she is returning to the heart of Coconut Grove for a special one-night class, a full-circle homecoming to the neighborhood where her journey first took root.
Roots in the Grove
From those early days in Coconut Grove, Jakubowicz went on to establish herself as one of Miami’s most recognized yoga teachers. She founded Rina Yoga in 2005, opened multiple yoga studios across South Florida, appeared on the cover of Yoga Journal three times, authored a bestselling book on yoga philosophy, and partnered with local institutions — including outdoor classes at The Barnacle Historic State Park — helping build Miami’s now-thriving wellness culture.
Though she now resides in Los Angeles, the story began right here in her hometown of Coconut Grove.
A Special Night
Now, more than two decades later, Jakubowicz is returning to the neighborhood where it all started for a special one-night class at Open Door Yoga (2801 Florida Ave., #20, Coconut Grove, FL 33133) on April 3 at 6 p.m.
During the 90-minute session, Jakubowicz will lead an all-levels Vinyasa Flow class built around the yogic philosophy that “home” is not a place but a state of being within oneself.
The session will feature an invigorating sequence designed to engage body, mind and intellect — the three dimensions of self at the heart of Vedanta yoga philosophy. Participants will move through a creative progression of Sun Salutations, standing postures, balancing poses, backbends, hip openers and playful inversions, with Jakubowicz tailoring the flow in response to the energy and experience of the class.
“There are always fun surprises along the way,” she says. “I promise, though, that no one will actually hold any single pose for an hour.”
Organizers say the practice is intended to challenge participants physically while encouraging inward focus, self expression and personal reflection. Jakubowicz is known for cultivating a supportive, welcoming environment that allows students of varying experience levels to explore the practice at their own pace.
The class will conclude with a brief moment of community connection, inviting participants to settle into their mats and reconnect with the idea that, in yoga philosophy, “home” ultimately resides within.
“Let’s arrive on our mats, close our eyes, tap our heels together and repeat Dorothy’s powerful mantra: ‘There’s no place like home’.”
Miami’s Wellness Hub
Today, Coconut Grove has emerged as one of Miami’s most recognizable wellness-oriented neighborhoods, offering a high concentration of yoga studios, fitness concepts, health-focused services and community programming that increasingly emphasizes mindfulness, outdoor living and holistic health.
“It’s a full-circle moment,” Jakubowicz says. “Everything that grew from my yoga journey began right there in the Grove.”
More About Rina
Coconut Grove native Rina Jakubowicz is the founder of Rina Yoga and Super Yogis, Miami-based yoga platforms established in 2005 that emphasize joy, personal growth, community and a welcoming, nonjudgmental approach to practice. An internationally recognized bilingual yoga teacher, entrepreneur and bestselling author, Jakubowicz has taught in both English and Spanish for more than 26 years, built a global following through classes, teacher trainings, destination retreats and digital platforms, and is a frequent presenter at wellness festivals and conferences worldwide.
In addition to her teaching work, Jakubowicz has developed a business-consulting platform for yoga teachers and studios and has served as a wellness consultant for a major health and wellness company based in Athens, Greece. Most recently, she and her husband, Eric Paskel, established Vedanta On The Ground, a nonprofit organization devoted to sharing Vedanta teachings with those on a path of self-discovery.
For more information, visit https://rinayoga.com/contact/ or call 305-856-YOGA (9642).
