Conversations with JAIME WARKONYI

Today we’d like to introduce you to JAIME WARKONYI.

Hi JAIME, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Jaime found her breath and began #trainingforlife on her mat in 2000 while attending weekly Hatha Yoga classes at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Having licensure in elementary (K-6) and special education (K-12) teaching and with a Master’s in School Administration (MSA) from ECU, she understands the importance of cultivating and building trusting relationships through “Seva” or service. Since her move to North Carolina in 2005, she proudly serves as an elementary school assistant principal in the Wake County Public School System. She provides access to yoga, meditation, and reiki throughout the community she serves. While living out her dharma of service to others, she advocates for self-care, wellness, inclusivity, and community resiliency.

Attuned to the Moon and mythology, Jaime crafts magickal musings into her sacred practice and rituals. There is a moon inside every human being. Learn to be companions with it. -Rumi.

“No mud, no lotus” is one of her personal mantras. She embraces the muddy waters of life, trusts the guidance of the Divine, and meditates on the #OMazing lotus garden creation before her.

Jaime completed her RYT200 hour yoga teacher training in March 2018 at Asura Yoga Academy (RYS) in Cary, NC. She studied under Jennie Wise, E-RYT500, YACEP Specialty in Yoga Psychology, and Master of Health Science (MHS).

Jaime completed her RYT300 hour Mindful Muse Advanced Yoga Teacher Training in September 2019. She studies under her Guru and mentor, Dharma Richards from Yoga Garden School of Yoga (RYS) in Apex, NC. She is recognized as a Yoga Warriors International Teacher.

Jaime is a Usui/Tibetan Holy Fire®III Karuna Reiki® Master Teacher, and studies with Deborah Dixon of Subtle Wellness in Durham, NC. She is a member with the International Center for Reiki Training.

She recently studied under Nikki Meyers and is a trained Y12SR Peer Support Guide for Yoga and 12-step recovery.

She completed her Level 1 Kundalini Teacher Training in August 2024 under Keval Kaur Khalsa from Kundalini Yoga Durham.

You can fine Jaime, Jai Rajgeet Kaur, teaching Yin and Kundalini yoga in award winning studios across the Raleigh area and Online.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I use Yoga to #trainforlife, so life has not been a smooth road. Struggles included Covid-19 with the closing of many brick and mortar studios. I’ve had to adapt and become “flexible” through it all. It has brought about a stronger daily sadhana practice and online capabilities to reach broader audiences.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
During the day, I am a proud Assistant Principal at a large elementary school in Wake County Public School Systems. I have served as an AP for 8 years now and I work with the most amazing people each day. While I’m not advocating for students and families, I teach yoga during the evenings, Yin and Kundalini currently. I’m most proud of the people that I work with and get to serve in community. Not everyone teaches Yin, or Kundalini yoga, so it is a specialty that is offered.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk-taking is often painted as either bold heroism or reckless abandon—but really, it’s about making decisions with incomplete information. The key is in how we manage that uncertainty. The most successful risk-takers are those who don’t just leap—they leap after calculating the jump.

Risk, when taken with intention, can be transformative. It’s the mechanism through which change happens. Staying in your comfort zone may feel safer, but it also limits exposure to new possibilities and learning experiences.

A risk I’ve taken is to become a #shavee for St. Baldrick’s Foundation to help #conquorkidscancer. I’ve been shaving my head to raise money for them since 2021.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/jaimewarkonyi
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimewarkonyi
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaimewarkonyi
• Twitter: https://x.com/jaimewarkonyi
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jaimewarkonyi?si=DYzorNICxjTewRKi