We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessica Lohrey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessica below.

Jessica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

I had been practicing yoga for 6 years when I had a life-changing motorcycle accident. I was thrown from my bike at 65 MPH on I-75 going through downtown Atlanta…at night! It is a miracle that I survived, and even more bizarre that I survived with no broken bones or permanent disfigurement.

I was thrown 50 feet in the air and bounced onto the 12 lane highway in the darkness. I bounced multiple times before finally coming to a stop. Miraculously, the 6 lanes of traffic flowing in my direction had witnessed the accident and slammed on their brakes, sparing me from being run over. I hobbled to the side of the road and waited for the ambulance. I knew my life would be changed forever, and I was determined in that instant to make the best of what could have been a much worse situation.

I practiced breathing and meditation until, after months of physical therapy, I finally returned to my posture practice. The many practices of yoga saved my life. I, and my doctors, attributed my spine’s strength and flexibility to yoga. The mental and emotional effects of my accident were assuaged by meditation and breathing exercises. I slowly regained the ability to take a full breath. I slowly regained confidence that I might be “ok” one day. I slowly came back to life.

Shortly after my return to practicing postures I sought out a teacher who would train me to become a teacher. I studied with my first teacher one-on-one for a year, becoming a certified yoga teacher. I made a vow to myself that I would never stop practicing yoga, and I’ve kept that vow to this day. I eventually went on to become a certified yoga therapist, learning to help others as I had helped myself heal through yoga.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an Ohio native and a graduate of Miami University. I returned home in 2020 after living in cities across the US for 28 years. I opened Oxford Community Yoga in 2021, and founded the Tree of India School of Yoga that same year. I am excited to share the powerful teachings of yoga with my hometown community!

I have been a dedicated student of yoga since 2000, studying Vedic teachings, the Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and writings from the Saiva Tantra traditions. I hold teaching certificates from Yoga of India (Gurmukh Mike Noury), The Pranakriya School of Yoga and Healing Arts (Yoganand Michael Carroll) and The Center for Integrative Yoga Studies (Marlysa Sullivan.) I am forever grateful for my teachers!

I am a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) with the International Association of Yoga Therapists and I’m certified at the highest level as an E-RYT 500 and Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) with Yoga Alliance. I specialize in private yoga, teacher training and mentorship, and showing others how to use yoga as a therapeutic tool for maintaining physical and emotional balance. I also lead transformative retreats to India.

I am also the owner and Certified Aromatherapist at Tree of India Aromatherapy (treeofindia.com.)

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

The best yoga teachers have a true passion for the practice, and continue to learn and practice throughout their lives. Yoga is a lifestyle and life path. It isn’t just an exercise program, or a wellness modality. When teachers are truly practicing the philosophy in their day-to-day life, they are “successful”.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have had to pivot multiple times in my business, life and career. I realized that my business must work for me, not the other way around! I have never allowed Tree of India or Oxford Community Yoga to fully define me. They’re a product of my passions, not the goal of it.

As my life has unfolded, and I have moved from state to state, I have been forced to make difficult decisions about how my skills and talents could best support me. I feel fortunate that my aromatherapy business has supported me through the times when I found myself in markets oversaturated with yoga teachers. It took time in each new locale to determine where an unoccupied niche for me existed.

If an entrepreneur holds too tightly to their business concept, or model, they’re going to be limited. Owning a business is like surfing. One must stay present, ride the waves, and continue to rise again when there are setbacks. Be creative, fearless, and persistent and your passion and love for your “work” will see you through!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.oxfordcommunityyoga.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/oxfordcommunityyoga
• Facebook: facebook.com/treeofindia
• Linkedin: Jessica Lohrey

Image Credits
not applicable