Tess J Yoga
203-615-2269| tessjyoga@gmail.com |www.tessjyoga.com
ABOUT
Hi! I’m Tess. A steady yoga practice has been a part of my life for 8 or so years. During one of those years I traveled to Costa Rica and got certified as an RYT200 with Soma Yoga Institute. My training was therapeutic and alignment based, which I teach to allow for greater ease during and after practice. I feel chronic pain in my low back and anxiety, hello human experience, and yoga is my way to heal the connection between the mind, body, and breath energy, and to find presence in a world of ‘what’s next’.
Like many western yogis I was introduced to yoga through a vinyasa asana practice (my first teacher taught Baptiste yoga). As a competitive and athletic person, my desire to be “better” was still feeding my ego, even while learning that the ego is something to let go of. Pushing myself in vinyasa classes and throwing myself into postures without the proper alignment for my body only led to more pain. I loved my teacher and the bits of philosophy and passion for the practice she gave me were invaluable during those early yoga days, but I wasn’t listening to my body. Then one day I went to a different studio with a greater emphasis on pranayama, meditation and tradition. After practice I received an incredible yoga high, a connection to my bliss body, and I wanted to access that again. Now I understand that the experience of all yoga is what makes each part of yoga make sense. The branches of yoga create a balance, all working together towards the common goal of being. Now I incorporate more yin, pranayama, and meditation to balance and ground my natural tendencies toward movement and getting lost in the mind. I help my students find the yoga that speaks to them, that connects them to their breath, and helps them find greater peace.
Ayurveda is also an interest and developing
practice of mine. I am drawn to nature and our connection to it and try to incorporate that in my daily life in multiple ways.
I just moved to Ojai, CA and am excited to share my love of yoga with my new local community, as well as with my global community through online classes.