We were lucky to catch up with JENNY RHODES recently and have shared our conversation below.

JENNY, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

I love to nourish people in all the ways & throughout the seasons. My teachings and offerings are seasonally oriented to the whole self, not just the physical self, and include class memberships & workshops in my private home studio sanctuary, seasonally prepared vegetarian meals & treats, retreats to warm and wonderful places, and seasonal mentorship programs to help my clients stay aligned & in harmony with their essence in the season of life they’re in.

I teach from a place of genuine love for what the 8 Limbs of yoga have taught me and it’s my dharma to impart these teachings in practical, everyday ways so my clients may embody the real purpose of yoga, which is spiritual evolution.

The industry standard here in the West is primarily focused on the physical practice of yoga poses (asana), rather than the rich roots of yoga teachings from South Asia. I help guide my students to embody these ancient healing practices, and to practice svadyaya, or self study, to better understand the biases and beliefs that cause harm and suffering to self and others. When practiced, yoga is truly a holistic body of teachings for liberation and co-liberation of our individual and collective sufferings.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

It’s over 30 years ago now, that I stumbled upon a yoga class in college & in that moment, I was immediately more at home in my body than I’d ever been. Breath, movement and stillness were the gifts I didn’t know I’d been waiting for. And while I continued to practice primarily the physical aspects of yoga, with hints of a connection to something greater than myself mixed in, I was also young and curious about other pursuits which took me around the world, exploring Latin America and beyond. Continuing to seek out yoga classes and even teach asana throughout my travels, it struck me one day in my late 30’s, that I was missing something crucial. There was a disconnect in the incredible connection I felt on the mat, but which eluded me off the mat.
I felt stuck, unfulfilled & unsatisfied with the moments I was inhabiting-but how could that possibly be?- I was/am a shiny, positive, super capable person, filled with gratitude for my adventurous life abroad, supportive partner, raising 2 healthy babies, so what was my problem?!
My sense of safety and security felt threatened by the shame and fear of admitting real struggle and why true, long-lasting happiness felt so elusive to me. I didn’t want to feel like that anymore!

Ultimately, what I began to work toward through yoga and all manner of healing modalities, was to accept my feelings and allow emotions move through me so that I could be in relationship with a better version of myself.
The self that is able to observe & stay in curiosity more than in judgement.
The self that can feel ease and contentment in the everyday ups and downs, even when they suck,. The self that can navigate the injustices and pains of the external world without feeling rocked from center.

To me, this is spiritual alignment. The higher self in the driver’s seat more often than the critical, reactive self.

And that’s what I help my clients tap into. Their uniquely infinite self. Through the lens of yoga, with humility, self-compassion and curiosity we can all meet that more elevated version of self more often.
The one that can rise above the pettiness of ego-charged drama and self-made suffering.

They way I help my students is through unique seasonal memberships which include offerings like small group mentorship, classes, workshops & retreats -all of which include teachings from the roots of yoga, the 8 limbs AND seasonal homemade vegetarian delights.

I’m most proud of the Home Retreat Studio which is my dream manifest – a private yoga studio, healing oasis and welcome retreat in the city – completed at the end of 2020.

At Home Retreat Studio I offer elevated experiences like no other. Year-round yoga classes, private coaching and yoga sessions, group coaching, courses, and weekend retreats. There’s plenty of space to hang out and gather, connect with friends, cultivate community, enjoy a meal, cook outside together, moon ceremony around the firepit, hot tub relaxing in the cedar soaking tub and quiet time in the meditation loft. Outside of the sanctuary, I create incredible healing retreats in California, Hawaii and next year, Portugal!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 and moved through that openly, publicly, and with a major curiosity for what it was there to teach me. I was fortunate enough to be received by my healing studio sanctuary as it was completed in such divine timing so as to nurture me back to health before I opened the doors to the public.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Authenticity and warmth. What you see is what you get and I’m more than willing and ready to talk about most any topic. Especially, the white washing and co-opting of yoga in the wellness community. It’s important to me to source my teachings and give voice to marginalized voices in yoga spaces. I would be living out of spiritual alignment if I didn’t show up as my true self both online and in person. Real emotion is real life and I’m a fan of both.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alignedyoga.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyalignedyoga/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlignedYogaandCoaching/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyrhodesseattle/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yogalifecoachingwithjennyr1015/videos

Image Credits
https://catchiappacreative.com/ [email protected]