welcome.

Dear 44 Yoga tribe,

Welcome to what I hope will be an extraordinary ride together. If your interest has been peaked to click and read this, then YAY. First steps are always the hardest, but once you’re there the journey becomes exciting. I mean, nobody usually leaves a yoga class and thinks, “That was terrible. I feel awful.”

I wanted to go a little more in depth about why I’m here so I can guide you better to figure out why you are. Yoga often gets a bad rap as being intimidating or out of a person’s physical realm and people can become turned off by the notion that if they don’t look a certain way or can’t achieve Instagram worthy poses, it’s not for them. I call bullshit. The true meaning of yoga is union. The union of the breath, the body, the mind and the soul. Yoga take shapes in different ways for different people and their practice is unique to themselves and themselves alone. It’s not about perfection. It’s about continued practice and the journey of transformation in each day and phase of your life. It’s about meeting yourself for the first time where you are at. It’s about honoring it, accepting it and saying, “OK, so this where I am.”

Not everyone who does yoga will become a serious yogi, and that’s OK. If there are elements of the practice that call to you, take baby steps and integrate them slowly. If you’re more advanced in your practice, awesome. Find ways to cultivate a deeper appreciation of the culture and history and how to propel yourself forward. To evolve, to grow, to adapt. Bottom line. We are energy. Energy cannot stay stagnant. It needs somewhere to go and if we allow that awareness to keep our souls moving and developing then we are indeed practicing yoga.

 So, here’s the deal. Full disclosure. I, myself am not the typical yogi either. This may speak to you or turn you off and that’s OK. You can’t be everyone’s cup of tea, right? But, if anything, I’m authentic and true to myself, because if I’m not, how can I be with my students? I believe life is short. I believe the practice of yoga is simply about becoming a better version of ourselves each and every day. It’s about trying over and over again. About paying it forward. It’s about an awareness to do better. Feel better. Live better. Love better. If we achieve that and awake with good intention every day, we’re half way there. Wherever, “there” is.

Now, for me- no, I am not the yogi that remains in a headstand for hours. Meditation is still a challenging practice for me as I have a mind that never stops. (I even drain myself sometimes.) But I show up and do it because when I do, I feel the shift. I feel grounded and clearheaded and open to possibility and change, plus I love practicing that auspicious time early morning that’s quiet and full of possibility. I look forward to it. There are also many asanas that I don’t include in my own practice. And that’s OK, too. It took me a long time though to acknowledge I could practice yoga in the best way that serves me and not feel “less than,” or an impersonator of sorts. Honoring and respecting the culture and history of yoga is always on the forefront of my mind in my practice and when teaching. Yoga is for everybody but that point is not driven home enough. I love introducing people to a down-to earth, less scary, beautifully approachable view of yoga and also challenging those with a more experienced palette…they both bring me joy because I am lucky enough to be part of their discovery journey. It’s all about being cool and kind with yourself and allowing for an individual, realistic and obtainable experience for yourself. This perpetuates a want and love for doing it more and feeling good about doing it.

Am I perfect? Hell no. But, I’ve learned I can be many things. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. I admire my gorgeous yogi friends and peers who embody the traditional archetype of what we come to think of as, “yogi.” They are beautiful souls with an abundance of light they offer the world. But, while I many not fit that mold I still hope to offer light, just in my own way. Do I curse like a sailor on leave? Yep. Can I be opinionated? Oh yeah. Am I a truth teller? Sure thing.  Do I practice the Yamas & Niyamas? Yes. Do I always get them right? Far from it. Do I lose my patience with my kids and have days where I feel like the worst parent on the earth? Sure do. Do I enjoy that extra slice(s) of cake and feel no shame about it? YES. Do I have days where my anxiety is so bad no amount of breath-work and meditation will remedy it? Absolutely. But- I also firmly believe in moderation. Because with that, I love to help people the best way I can. My kids are my world and my priority is making their life good. When I speak the truth I try to do it with no harm. I eat balanced meals and exercise more than not. The important thing is this- Part of finding balance is allowing yourself to be out of balance sometimes and moderation, for me, is key to remind folks that it’s OK. Live your life. Enjoy your life. Stop being so hard on yourself when you aren’t this masterpiece version of yourself. Stop feeling guilty over things you could have done better. Always keeping flipping to the other side of the coin and checking yourself. That’s what’s important. We are all and will forever be continuous works in progress.

What can you expect here? You can expect guided classes that are eclectic and approachable, fun, relaxing and challenging. You can expect articles that will cover not just yoga but all parts of my life and background- from mom life, dance life, tips and information, random thoughts and experiences that I think people can relate to and so much more. You can find videos, class schedules, upcoming events and exciting updates.

I get it. In this very moment with the world as it is, people…. are…just… drained. Depleted. They don’t have the energy to invest the time they should in themselves because there are, “more important things to get done.” They feel guilty if they do something for themselves and put themselves first. I do it too. Everyone does. It’s become culture. But, I don’t say this lightly when I say, you must put yourself first and feel whole before you can be whole for others. I know firsthand that devoting even 30 minutes to my practice flips a switch for my whole day. Showing up on the mat is the hardest part. People have had their lives flipped upside down this year. They have been so inundated with responsibility that they may not want to begin a practice because they can’t fathom the notion of adding one more thing they have to be accountable for. So, the fear of, “falling off the wagon” stops them from stepping on the mat. It can be a vicious circle with exercise regimes too. It’s this lofty expectation that if you can’t devote 100% everyday, then you’ve failed in some way. People don’t need one more thing to feel bad about. Let that shit go. You miss a day. Be there tomorrow. Show up when your heart is in it. Or, if you have the wherewithal - drag yourself there even when it’s not and watch how quickly your mood elevates. Watch how present you become and watch how overtime you begin to feel change - body mind and soul. And, if you already feel revved up and inspired to start something new and are looking ahead with motivation and an outlook to get going - then wonderful. You’ve all come to the right place!

Change is never easy. Nothing worth having usually is. But it’s exciting and invigorating. It keeps us from basking in the status quo. Step on the mat in your own way, in your own time and you will figure out your own “why’s” through an individualized journey of discovery in all facets. You’ll find your groove. Plus, you might even laugh and enjoy yourself too. Be kind to yourself and let’s go.  ;)

Welcome to 44 Yoga + Movement.

Meet you on the mat.

xo, jess