Jaye Devendra:
A Bright Dancing Light!
December 2024 | By Sharonne Gracia
If you’ve ever set foot in the Still & Moving Center, chances are, you’ve crossed paths with Jaye Devendra at one of our dance or yoga classes. If there’s a movement-based offering, you can bet Jaye will be there — sometimes leading up front, radiating vibrant energy, and other times quietly in the back, her presence still impossible to ignore.
She may be small in stature, but Jaye’s brightness fills every room she enters. Jaye’s full name, Jayanti, means victory! With every step, she brings a passion for movement that captivates everyone around her. I’m always inspired by her joyful grace.
Jaye’s connection to dance runs deep. For seven years, she and her husband were active participants in the competitive ballroom dance world, regularly attending competitions. Together, they were a well-known couple in the dance community, partners both on and off the dance floor. When her husband’s health began to decline due to kidney disease, however, he was no longer able to dance. Even so, Jaye remained dedicated, transitioning to line dancing and attending other dance classes solo.
After moving from California to Hawaii in 2019 to be closer to her son, Jaye noticed Still & Moving Center across the street from her home. “I saw the Still & Moving Center across the street, and the name ‘Still and Moving’ intrigued me,” she says. Curious, she decided to check it out, hoping it could provide a space for her to reconnect with her love for dance. What she found was exactly that — balance, community, and movement.
During this time, Jaye would often bring her husband to the center with her. Although he couldn’t dance, he would wait patiently in the lobby while she attended her classes. “I didn’t want to leave him alone, so he’d wait for me outside,” she recalls.
When her husband passed away, the grief was immense, but the friendships she had built at Still & Moving Center became her lifeline. Her dance friends rallied around her, offering companionship and support as she navigated her loss. Dancing was no longer just an activity; it became a way to process her emotions, heal, and rediscover joy.
Dance and friends helped Jaye stay buoyant through life’s challenges. Whether she’s dancing in Sri Lanka with her sisters or performing in one of our productions, she embodies the resilience and cheerfulness that have carried her forward.
But Jaye’s passions don’t end with dance. She loves to cook – especially for others – and she hosts her Bollywood dance friends for Sunday meals. She delights in sharing the rich flavors of her Sri Lankan heritage, preparing meals that bring people together around the table. Cooking is more than just a way to nourish; for Jaye, it’s a way to share love, culture, and hospitality with those she cares about.
Jaye also has an eye for fashion. Always impeccably dressed, she brings a sense of style and elegance wherever she goes. In Colorado, Jaye once ran a boutique, where she used to design bridal gowns and formal wear.
In our Diwali Ramayana performance 2023, Jaye not only danced, but also took a fun acting role, interestingly as a character on the island of Lanka, her actual birth home! As usual, she shone in her onstage charisma.
Jaye enthusiastically participates in all of our challenges, frequently securing a top place for the most classes taken or the greatest variety of classes. Her presence at Still & Moving Center uplifts all of us. Every time she walks through the door, it’s impossible not to smile. Whether I’m at the front desk or just passing by, her warm energy always brightens my day.
At Still & Moving Center, Jaye continues to inspire everyone she meets with her dedication to mindful movement and her commitment to building a community that celebrates art, culture, and connection.
Jaye, we are truly lucky to have you as part of our ʻOhana.
Get the Still & Moving App
This post is also available in: 日本語 (Japanese)