I was inspired by yoga through dance. Growing up, I practiced sports and cheer that led to dance through high-school and college. I was creative and passionate about designing clothing to convey a social message. I graduated from UW Madison. I moved to NYC. I lived my dream and felt fulfilled so I moved home. My heart opened and I wanted to share. In the midst of a tumultuous time in my life owning a fashion business in Chicago, I was blessed with the opportunity to practice yoga for the first time through a dance fitness class. I wanted to run out of the room within the first 10 minutes because I was terrified by the meditation. I stayed. I danced, I did ballet - aka barre. I loosened up. Then the yoga. Then I was vulnerable and wanted to cry. And so I did in savasana. I went again the next day. Within the month I was taking Bikram classes and within the year I was teaching Yoga Booty Ballet. Yoga changed my life because I had no idea what it was like to slow down, to heal, to be in the moment - with all the crap and with all the good that was in my heart. My heart’s desire became real and I wanted everyone to feel what I felt. Bliss, empowerment, and the courage to heal myself - and the hardest part, love for myself without judgement and trusting the process. I awakened spiritually and discovered there was no turning back. I moved home to Racine, WI, (again) and decided I wanted to teach what I knew to my family and friends and share the gift of yoga with the community. I didn’t have money, or a studio, so I taught classes out of my apartment and outside in the parks. I started to design my own sustainable athleisure clothing line and accessories (and wedding dresses). I faked it to ‘make’ it. The fire was catching on and I taught in a gym and started a yoga in the parks business, then actually got a job working at the City of Racine’s Parks department, but I didn’t have a certification, still. I created a citywide program with local studios and a wellness fair, where I crossed paths with another opportunity to coach dance and teach ballet fitness, or barre. I moved to Milwaukee at the start of 2015, continued to design, and taught barre with a yoga heart but my heart won over. I completed my Yoga Alliance 200RYT credentials in Vinyasa through Yoga Ward with Dean Farrell. I continued teaching yoga in the parks and my class sizes have grown because of the open atmosphere, literally, so I made it part of my new and evolving venture- with a mission to create more unity in the yoga community by opening classes at various locations for new teachers to explore their styles and create their own path, and by creating an approachable environment, in the beauty of nature’s environment, in green spaces and at events along Lake Michigan. I am currently completing my 500RYT through Union Tree School of Yoga and couldn’t feel more gratitude because I am learning so much more to share with people interested in trying yoga or people who already do make yoga their lifestyle. I certainly have made it mine. I vow to live in my truth with passion, unite community with a full heart, share my knowledge of self-made wellness using hollistic methods such as essential oils, create new paths for personal growth, explore, practice compassion for myself and others, and inspire others to do the same - even if only for a moment. I would love to meet you, and practice yoga together! Let’s go to the park with our mats and rise with the sun. Enjoy Hoppy hour at the beer garden after balasana. Hit up the Farmers market on the weekend followed by Vinyasa flow and begin the week with a dream-catcher-making workshop. Then we can learn to sew and design our own shawl. Relax and unwind with aromatherapy and learn to use essential oils to balance our chakras. Then more yoga. Join me as we elevate your spirits and those of the world through practicing creative wellness, local and global sustainability, and yoga to nourish our minds, bodies, and souls. Let’s go on retreats, near and far. Let your mat be your magic carpet for adventures beyond the wildest dream and go freely along for the ride. May all the love, creativity and inspiration in the universe light you up so that you shine brighter with every breath we take together. Namaste. ☆ Jenni
