MISSION
The mission of J Rock Yoga is to provide an environment of opportunity for people to realize their highest self physically, mentally & spiritually.
We create high quality yoga and wellness content rooted in the belief that every person can access inner peace, self acceptance, physical strength & personal empowerment by continually showing up for themselves.
about me
I'm Jess, thank you for coming to my page!
I've been practicing yoga now for 8 years. Since a young age, I've always been relatively active; participating in dance, gymnastics and softball. As I got older I gravitated toward running and weight training. Eventually my path led me to yoga. I am eternally inspired by Baron Baptiste, Ana Forrest, Bryan Kest and many others. I have had the privilege to practice under Kathryn Budig, Jillian Pransky, Hala Khouri and Tao Porchon Lynch. This is my story.
Through my early twenties I struggled with depression and disordered eating. I would find often that the one thing I could control was what I ate and how I treated my body. Moving to Manhattan during this time period to attend The Fashion Institute of Technology only fueled this fire! I would force myself to run miles every day on very little food so that I could feel and look a certain way. Never quite addressing the true cause; I wasn't happy inside. Eventually this ceased to work and I moved back home. I enrolled at Western Connecticut State University (and went on to complete my B.B.A. in Marketing). I found help through many modalities and started to slowly heal my mind and body. Learning to treat myself with compassion and patience instead of disdain. Once I started exercising regularly again, yoga truly spoke to me, I liked that there was no competition and that there was no one way to be in a pose. The path is one but roads are many. I enjoyed the feeling of my body moving fluidly but also intuitively. One day in a very hot Power Vinyasa class, I was in Warrior Two, sweat dripping, gaze focused, mind clear, and one thought floated into my mind "I feel alive". At this moment I realized that I hadn't felt my body in a very long time, I hadn't felt alive in a very long time and I hadn't been living in my body for a very long time! This revelation changed EVERYTHING.
I kept coming back every day to practice, I became focused, and my life began to change and unfold. I began to live with less fear and more confidence, not without ups and downs but I began to really discover who I am. I started to grow strong in my body, stronger than I could have ever imagined, but the strength in my mind was what really stuck with me. I wish this for all people which is why I decided to proceed with my 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training.
I teach because yoga changed my life, not just physically but mentally. I teach because yoga has been an amazing tool and beacon of truth for me and I wish to share this with as many people I can. I teach so that people can feel grounded, safe and connected in their bodies, utilizing the powerful tools of mindfulness, movement, meditation and focus to enhance all aspects of their lives. I teach so that people can increase their flexibility and strength not just in the body but in the mind. I teach so that others know, through dedication, curiosity and perseverance all is possible. With a whole lotta loving kindness sprinkled in.
I teach because this is what I am called to do.
With love,
J
