Each day we are given the opportunity to have an impact on the world, to make the most of each moment, and to pursue our passions without reservation—yet very few of us truly take advantage of the potential every new morning offers.
Dana Brown, one of our Lead Instructors, was the exception. She embraced the magnitude of all that one day can mean.
After battling ovarian cancer that surgeons could not remove, Dana realized that her time on this earth was limited—and the way she chose to spend each minute of her day mattered more than it ever had before. She could have spent her remaining time surfing, woodworking, crafting pottery, taking photographs, digging into her favorite scientific research, or immersing herself in the beauty of her home state of New Mexico. She could have chosen to relax with her wife Janet, their dog Callahan, and her parents to soak up every last second. Yet, of all the ways she could have spent her last days on earth—she desired nothing more than to meet her students and teach them one last time. That is how much she loved her students and how dedicated she was to bringing healing to the world. After embracing her students and completing one last workshop day, Dana met her family at a hospice center and passed away peacefully—fulfilled and deeply satisfied with her last moments here.
While her passing leaves a tremendous hole in our hearts and we are all grieving this loss, we want to be sure we don’t miss the last lesson Dana wanted to teach us.
It was not about the health of the body, but rather the power of a nourished soul. Be passionate. Build community. Create freely. Live fully. And love selflessly. This is how she lived, this is how she died, and this is how we can honor her legacy.
We send our deepest condolences to Dana’s family and her wife Janet.
If you have thoughts, memories or condolences you’d like to share on behalf of Dana Brown, please
send them here and we’ll direct them to Dana’s family.
