Press Kit

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OUR MISSION

Our mission at The Enlightenment Studio is to provide a vibrant space for people to have extraordinary realizations through the practice of yoga, meditation, service and study. Enlightenment is a word to describe the highest evolution of human consciousness: wisdom, and unconditional love. The mind of Einstein meets the heart of Gandhi. At Three Jewels we recognize that every single human being has this potential.

NEW YORK’S FIRST ENLIGHTENMENT STUDIO

After 21 years hidden in an East Village walk-up, Three Jewels has completely transformed and reopened on The Bowery as The Enlightenment Studio. The space looks to be a modest whitewashed café from the street, but walk through the rose-mirrored wall, and you’ll enter a glowing temple room where spiritual seekers practice inner and outer methods to achieve the Big E ‘Enlightenment’.

Our model of spiritual education is tripartite: a comprehensive meditation program with a colorful Tibetan backbone, thoughtful yoga classes, and deep scriptural education from seasoned practitioners. The centerpiece offering, an eighteen-course spiritual training in Buddhism, contains texts that were translated to English from Sanskrit and Tibetan for the first time in the early 90’s. Comprehensive meditation and yoga trainings are curated to provide students with the root of an authentic personal practice, without any commitment to Buddhism. Modern application is key.

We serve over 5,000 students per year, offer more than 60 classes per week, and provide services to the city and internationally by giving free meditation and yoga classes to homeless families, school teachers, children, people recovering from addiction, trauma-sensitive care to refugees and earthquake survivors, and much more.

FUN FACTS

We’re a 501(c)3 non profit organization established in 1996.
In Buddhism, "The Three Jewels" are the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. But the real meaning behind "The Three Jewels" is that everyone can reach their ultimate potential.
We teach the entire Tibetan Buddhist monastic curriculum (ancient texts, meditations and other practices) for free.
We are almost entirely volunteer run. Over 40 volunteers help maintain the studio, check students in, teach, create web content, market, and direct. Seven out of our nine directors staff are volunteers.
We are passionate about service. We teach in homeless shelters, addiction recovery clinics, schools, orphanages across the world, and more. We also host regular “benefit classes” and donate proceeds of our corporate work to charity.
We make wisdom accessible to everyone. There are 11 donation-based community classes per week. And we have one of the most affordable memberships in NYC!

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

“I have found a re-awakening for my passion for yoga through my time at Three Jewels. I had never taken yoga with the same focus on alignment, breath flow and mental state.Through meditation, it has helped me connect with myself and take my mental health and relationship with my mind seriously.”

- Isabella P.

“Going through medication changes deeply impacted my depression and just consistently being at Three Jewels every week was sincerely healing. The energy people bring and create in that space made me more connected to my own healing. And that has been a huge part of my spiritual path.”

- Blaine M.

“The studio has brought immense feelings of peace and balance. The physical space is a literal oasis and the karma yogi community is fantastic. Lastly, the vinyasa classes have made me physically and mentally stronger. And for that, I’m forever grateful!“

- Paige Z.

“Three Jewels has been doing its profound magic for a long time. I am happy they now have a beautiful sleek modern space to host their teachings and yoga classes. Three Jewels is founded on an ancient lineage of Buddhist philosophy that includes the advanced Yogic practices that we see many people practicing these days. I feel lucky to be a part of a community that makes compassion a priority not only in business, but in the community.Three Jewels has outreach to help local and distant people with basic needs, education and meditation. If you want to learn real Yoga and get all the health benefits also, come here.”

- Rose V.

“The studio has reminded me of my humanity and that I can always return to a place of no judgement. This has enabled me to learn acceptance and persevere in learning and expression.”

- Francesca M.

“It has made me realize how valuable meditation is to be for regulating my emotions, for my creative process, and returning to my Catholic religion and wanting to more deeply study Buddhist ideas.”

- Ellen J.

DIRECTORS

Hector Marcel, Presidenthector@threejewels.orgHector Marcel is a passionate organizational change management professional specializing in performance, culture and service. He is a master teacher of meditation and eastern philosophy, linking ancient … — **Hector Marcel,** President
hector@threejewels.org
Hector Marcel is a passionate organizational change management professional specializing in performance, culture and service. He is a master teacher of meditation and eastern philosophy, linking ancient Asian ideas to modern western systems for individuals and teams. Hector serves on the board of the Asian Classics Institute, he is the director of the 108 Lives project and is the president of Three Jewels (the Enlightenment Studio). He believes that meditation opens the door to every personal achievement.

Rachel Webb, Executive Directorrachel@threejewels.orgRachel Webb has trained simultaneously in yoga and mental health for the past decade, and in Tibetan Buddhism for the past 5 years with the Asian Classics Institute. She has completed a meditation… — **Rachel Webb,** Executive Director
rachel@threejewels.org
***Rachel Webb*** has trained simultaneously in yoga and mental health for the past decade, and in Tibetan Buddhism for the past 5 years with the Asian Classics Institute. She has completed a meditation teacher training and private yoga teacher training in 2017 and is en route to complete a 6 year Buddhist philosophy training in 2019. She is a peer coach for social workers using the Motivational Interviewing counseling technique. She has over 6 years of experience working with people diagnosed with serious mental illness assisting them in achieving wellness goals. Rachel has hosted several therapeutic groups on relationship health over the past year and is currently working on relationship wellness workbooks that combine modern psychological approaches with Buddhist techniques.

Stephen McManus, Executive Directorstephen@threejewels.orgStephen McManus was originally introduced to yoga and meditation as a child from his mother. After spending many years resisting all religion and spirituality, he found himself practicing med… — **Stephen McManus,** Executive Director
stephen@threejewels.org
Stephen McManus was originally introduced to yoga and meditation as a child from his mother. After spending many years resisting all religion and spirituality, he found himself practicing meditation as a way to cope with anxiety and stress. After moving to New York City in 2012, he discovered Buddhism through his partner and began a deep practice of meditation and yoga. After many years of studying and practicing, he was formally trained to become a meditation and yoga teacher. He is also finishing up a 6 year Buddhist philosophy training in 2019.

TEACHERS

Our teachers are trained experts in many fields. We bring a diverse background of yoga, meditation, psychology, Buddhism, sound meditation, Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, trauma sensitivity, subtle body work, and more.