Professional Background
Jill Rapperport
Jill graduated cum laude from Newcomb College of Tulane University with a BA in English and Philosophy (1982). She went directly to work with the prestigious magazine publisher Ziff-Davis, NYC, originally as a part-time secretary. Within a few years, she was so quickly promoted that by 1989 she was their youngest female Associate Publisher. She devoted 14 years to this company, then spent another six running her own marketing firm. Eventually she became the Group Publisher of several Latin American business magazines. In the meantime she married, had a daughter, and divorced. Although she enjoyed the success of her professional life, something was missing. Jill says her soul was craving to make a contribution to the world. Looking back, she compares her life at this stage to a runaway freight train: her days were jammed with meetings, conference calls and sales appointments. The long hours and constant travel left no time for her daughter or herself.
After enjoying a lucrative 20-year career as a publisher, and working in international settings with projects scattered across the globe, Jill had an experience which she says "gave her heart wings." As it did for so many others, September 11th changed her life. She was one of 2000 people in a Tony Robbins program who witnessed a total shift in perspective between two men: one Pakistani and the other Israeli. One moment they were arguing, exemplifying hate and mistrust, but the next moment they were embracing each other in forgiveness. (This encounter was documented on Larry King Live, with scarcely a dry eye in the audience.) After seeing this transformation, Jill made a commitment to welcome and create a shift in consciousness.
She realized that the conflict between her current life and what she truly held in high esteem was causing her a lot of pain, physical and mental. She approached the CEO of her firm, asking for a more flexible work schedule in order to become a more committed mother. When the CEO responded that it was impossible, Jill resigned.
This is when Jill launched her life dream of helping people create peace and harmony in their lives through yoga, meditation and other mind-body practices. Jill recreated her life: She sold her house and car, and began to de-tox and de-stress. Eventually, she became certified to teach adults and children, infusing elements of eastern philosophies even with her youngest students.
Today Jill is surrounded by an aura of peace and beauty. She teaches yoga, yoga-based tools, and meditation to children and adults. Because of the changes she created, today she is very much a part of her daughter's life. When asked if it was worth it to quit her job, Jill answers, “The things that make you happiest do not come from the material world. Following your heart is what will bring you real happiness and peace. When you're doing what you're meant to be doing, there is alignment and the energy of money begins to flow to you. Recognizing and realizing your soul's purpose is magical and blissful. It's not a question of what you'll lose but what you'll gain. Giving your heart wings, that's priceless."
