Jai Medina

Celebration Circle Community Director

A relative newcomer to San Antonio, Jai Medina arrived here in Jan. of '08, after spending a year in Oaxaca, MX, apprenticing with a curandero at a center of alternative healing. Whether studying Santeria in New York, Buddhism in Nepal, ethnobotany in the rainforests of Costa Rica, or simply spending countless hours reading, Jai has been driven since childhood to follow an endless passion for spirituality and for serving Spirit-wherever it may lead. Along the way, Jai earned a degree in Gender Studies in Comparative Religion from Sarah Lawrence College in 2002, with a background in Creative Writing and Fine Art, and a specialty in warrior-goddesses of ancient and indigenous religions.

Jai's personal path as a "warrior-priest" truly began after moving from New York to Seattle at the age of 22. Instead of pursuing a Master's degree in The(a)logical Studies, Jai spent three years training in the Quantum Martial Arts style with Master Rachael Evans, who taught Jai how to move energy as a martial arts practitioner, teacher, and healer. This was Jai's first experience serving a spiritual community, and-with thanks to Raven Gildea-helped Jai gain the deepest understanding of service as the true calling of a warrior's soul. Jai also spent many years in service working at arts and education non-profits, teaching kids, youth, and adults in a variety of capacities. This included time spent as a feminist sex educator, preschool teacher, naturalist, gifted educator, and photography instructor with Youth in Focus, a non-profit where Jai was also Operations Manager. During this time, Jai balanced successful careers as a practicing fine artist and award-winning poet.

Currently the Circle's Community Director, Jai coordinates the events, volunteers, and day-to-day operations of the Celebration Circle, while additionally serving as Celebrant on Sundays, board member, and manager of CircleSpace, a Southtown loft for community gatherings in the holistic arts. As one of the younger members of the Circle, and as someone who identifies as two-spirit, Jai has a personal mission to increase the visibility and presence of Latino, LGBTQ, and young folks in the community...as well as a passion to "shake things up" organizationally, the desire to support Rudi Harst personally, and the drive to keep the Circle growing and thriving spiritually.

In addition to working with the Circle, Jai is a martial arts/yoga instructor, and has a private practice, Jaguar Paw Reiki, focused on shamanic healing and spiritual counseling. Jai is also an ordained interfaith priest who can bless your house, perform commitment ceremonies, and craft various other rituals for you on request. Feel free to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !