It's with a very heavy heart that I share the passing of our dear friend Ron Routhier. I first met Ron attending Bree's Vinyasa classes over 5 years ago at Be Well Studios. He was a quiet, small but mighty man, with a long ponytail, often practicing arm balances before class. I didn't really get to know him until after he returned from what I thought was his 200 hour YTT. I later found out that he did get that 200 hour teacher training, and also, he was coming out the other side of a terminal cancer diagnosis where he was given 3-6 months to live.  

I will never forget the day he returned to class, it may have been the first time I really spoke to him. He was no longer so quiet. He was smiling ear to ear, hugging all his yogi friends, and full of life, even sharing his story with me, someone whom he had shared the yoga studio with, but never before himself.

The years since that class I got to know Ron well. We both became regulars at Dana's Ashtanga classes along with many other locals. We became friends. I would bump into him at Frontside Grind and I'd soon learn he was a retired businessman. I was going through what I refer to as "self discovering" after a job loss had me questioning my path in life. Upon hearing of my quest for a more aligned career I learned much about Ron's own path in business, entrepreneurship, cancer, and his spiritual journey. Which from what I could see was a journey to a place of peace, acceptance, and love, something I knew I wanted more of!

The pandemic hit and Ron was getting a clean bill of health in March 2020. Dana taught yoga on Zoom and we'd meet twice a week in the little squares! Soon we'd start bringing takeout dinner to Ron every so often. Cancer hit again, came and went, and came again. During that time Ron expressed his support and belief in me to take action from all that "self discovery” to be an entrepreneur, to align my actions with the dreams that swirled around in my mind. He instilled in me a confidence I'm not sure I could have otherwise found. I knew with his support I could not fail. He wanted nothing more than to see me follow a path that was aligned with my truth, and he wanted nothing more than to see the yoga community in the White Mountains flourish.   

His unending support and love is just that. I will miss our deep conversations about life and spirituality and at the same time, I know he's still listening. And if I tune in, which I already have this past week, the answers to my questions always appear. This is the divine mystery of life. This is how we know we are infinite. This is how we know we are divine. This is how we know we are all connected throughout time and space. Keep asking for divine guidance...we all have a Ron...we just have to be still and listen. For all those who knew and loved Ron, I send my sincerest condolences. He is so deeply missed, and so greatly celebrated for the wise, sweet, peaceful, gracious, loving man that he was and will always be! There will a celebration of life for Ron at a later date, TBD. Please comment below if you would like to share your stories of Ron or offer a blessing for his eternal peace.

Eternally grateful to be blessed with his friendship in this lifetime,