A few spots remaining for New Zealand, February 7 - 14, 2027
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There’s an old story about a group of blind people who hear that a mysterious animal called an elephant has come to town. Curious, they want to see it, but can’t. They determine that if they can touch it, they will know it, so each makes their way to a different part of the animal.

The first touches the trunk and says, “this being is like a thick snake,” the second touches an ear and says, “it seems like a fan,” the third touches it’s leg and states, “it is a tree trunk,” while the fourth says, “it’s side is a wall.”

In the oldest version of this parable, (composed somewhere between 1500 – 1200 BCE), they don’t argue with each other, but conclude that they each must be perceiving a different beast, although they experience the same elephant.

Since 1989, I’ve experienced various parts of the “elephant of yoga.” There are so many facets of this practice, all of which have the potential to transform our ability to be present and skillfully work with life’s opportunities and challenges. I have been practicing regularly since 1989 and teaching since 1999. Yoga in its many forms, has made me a stronger, more resilient human being.

I practice and teach a variety of expressions of yoga: primarily, asana or conscious movement, breath, meditation, chanting, ethics, self-inquiry, mantra, and service. I’m happy to work with you in the way that works best for you.

Classes

Jennifer’s classes are live and online through Breathe Together Yoga. Join her wherever you are.

MANDALA VINYASA

Saturday 9am (live & online)
Wednesday 10:30 am (live & online)

Vinyasa means “to place in a special way,” while mandala means “circle” or “essence.” Like origami—the Japanese art of folding—the body moves progressively, breath by breath, toward one or more apex postures, much like a conscious walk up an unexplored mountain path.

We will weave together historically early yoga asana, contemporary expressions of movement, and supportive props (wheels, weights, blocks, and straps). Counter postures then unfold the body, leading into a short seated practice. There may be some chanting.

This class is designed for practitioners with an understanding of internal alignment and flow, and for those who love a breath-centered adventure.

MEDITATION AND AWARENESS PRACTICE

Tuesday 8:15am (online only)
Thursday 8:15am (online only)

Each week we address a different form of meditation, all of which will support and cultivate our capacity to be healthy, calm, aware, and fully present. This class is donation based. Proceeds to a different non-profit organization each season.

TAPAS

Tapas means the discipline of steady practice. Each season of the year has a special series of postures dedicated to it. The postures that are chosen for each season address traditional Indian medicine or the wisdom of Ayurveda, as well as the Chinese meridians that run along the body, so that you can be empowered to care for your health. Students who practice the four different Tapas series throughout the year have reported greater internal stability, a stronger immune system, better circulation and higher energy levels. At Breathe Together Yoga, this series is practiced in a heated room, but it is not necessary to receive its benefits.

Jennifer created the Tapas series before Breathe Together Yoga opened in 2011. While she isn’t teaching the class currently, you can take Tapas six days a week with BTY’s excellent teachers. You can also take her tapas intensives offered at the beginning of each season.

YOGA SCULPT

Yoga Sculpt combines basic yoga poses with low impact strength training exercises using weights, elastic bands, and other props to enhance its effectiveness. This practice will move students through a variety of functional and simple exercises with the purpose of building strength and endurance.

Luminaries

Luminary [ loo-muh-ner-ee ] ~ From Old French luminarie or late Latin luminarium, from Latin lumen, lumin- "light". A celestial body, as the sun or moon or an object that gives light; or, a person of eminence or brilliant achievement.
Many people have lit and continue to light my path. These people have been especially bright lights. 1) Charles and Eleanor, my parents, dedicated Episcopalians and great guides 2) my husband Will, unwavering ethics and steady presence, 3) Liam who opened new dimensions of love, 4) HH Dalai Lama, a lighthouse for over forty years, 5) Tias Little, who has made art out of his practice, 5.5) Richard Rosen who lives and breathes the practice, a friend on the path, 6) David Swenson who introduced Ashtanga Yoga, 7) India Supera, unparalleled dedication to giving and who introduced 8) Karma Tensum, founder of TCEF and brother in spirit, 8.5) Losang Samten, the first sand mandala maker to come to the US 9) Mingyur Rinpoche with whom I took refuge, 10) Chuck Miller whose approach to Samasthiti (equal standing) informed teaching and life, 11) Mark Singleton, the smarter “brother,” who patiently read horrific drafts of my book, 12) Thomas Myers, who provided the chance to see the body from the inside out through cadaver work, 13) Lama Tsultrum Allione who offers a feminine lens on the Buddhist practice and a maverick, 14) Ram Dass who fundamentally changed my life, 15) Krishna Das who woke up the power of chanting, not pictured: Neem Karoli Baba, who woke up RD & KD, and Dr. Robert Thurman, for his wild insight into Tibetan Buddhism.
There are no early pictures of Ms. Vidak, our neighbor who in 1969, introduced me to yoga, Ms. Dooley, our yoga teacher in 8th grade, Reverend Barton J. Sargeant, our minister who rode a Harley to church and genuinely cared about my spiritual development, Mrs. Semling, who introduced chakras and the subtle body in the late 80’s, Sherri Baptiste whose classes made a lifetime of yoga possible, Kent Bond whose humor was a powerful teaching tool and who also suggested I teach, Kofi Busia whose sequencing created clarity, Rusty Wells whose bhakti flow has had a lasting impact, Desiree Rumbaugh for loving the practice all these years when many women retreat from asana, Dassi Ma‘s dedication, Trudy Goodman, Jack Kornfield, Richard Freeman and Mary Richards for life long incandescence. 

84 Postures

I developed the series of 84 postures over the last five years after learning about earlier systems of 84 postures. I wanted a series that addressed the needs of a contemporary yoga practitioner who most often sits at a desk and in a car all day. I wanted the potential to smoothly transition postures from one to another. I wanted the series to be both accessible and challenging, so it could be calibrated depending upon how the body felt on a given day.

Child's Pose | Balasana
Sitting On Heels | Vajrasana
Puppy Pose | Utaana Shisoasana
Cat | Marjaryasana
SunBird Pose | Parsva Balasana
Downward Dog Pose | Adho Mukha Svanasana
Half Forward Fold | Ardha Uttanasana
Forward Fold | Uttanasana
Reed Pose | Ardha Chandrasana
Chair Pose | Utkatasana
Chair Figure 4 Pose | Utkatasana
Squat Legs Apart | Malasana
Squat | Malasana
Plank Pose | Utthita Chaturanga Dandasana
Side Plank Pose | Vasisthasana
Low Plank Pose | Chaturanga
Sphinx Pose | Salamba Bhujangasana
Cobra Pose | Bhujangasana
Upward Facing Dog Pose | Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
Handstand | Adho Mukha Vrksasana
Mountain Pose | Tadasana
Triangle Pose | Trikonasana
Half Moon Pose | Ardha Chandrasana
Warrior Two Pose | Virabhradrasana
Side Angle Pose | Utthita Parsvakonasana
Goddess Pose | Deviasana
Revolved Triangle Pose | Parivrtta Trikonasana
Revolved Half Moon Pose | Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana
Revolved Side Angle Pose | Parivriita Parsvakonasana
Wide Legged Foward Fold | Prasarita Padottanasana
Pyramid Pose | Parsvottanasana
Warrior Three Pose | Virabhadrasana Three
Warrior One Pose | Virabhadrasana One
Low Lunge Pose | Anjaneyasana
Standing Splits Pose | Utthita Prasarita Eka Padasana
Tree Pose | Vrksasana
Eagle Pose | Garudasana
Standing Knee Hug Pose | Ardha Aranasana
Extended Hand to Big Toe Pose (leg in side plane) | Utthita Hasta Padangustasana
Revolved Hand to Big Toe Pose | Parvritta Hasta Padangustasana
Extended Hand to Big Toe Pose | (leg in front plane) Utthita Hasta Padangustasana
Dancers Pose | Natarajasana
Pendant Pose | Lolasana
Crane Pose | Bakasana
Staff Pose | Dandasana
Upward Plank Pose | Purvottonasana
Boat Pose | Navasana
Seated Angle Pose | Upavista Konasana B
Upward Facing Intense Western Stretch | Urdhva Mukha Paschimottanasana
Peacock Pose | Mayurasana
Dolphin Pose | Ardha Pincha Mayurasana
Peacock Feather Pose | Pincha Mayurasana
Locust Pose | Salabhasana
Bow Pose | Dhanurasana
Hero's Pose | Virasana
Camel Pose | Ustrasana
King Pigeon Pose | Kapotasana
Bridge Pose | Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
Wheel Pose | Urdhva Dhanurasana
Forearm Backbend Pose | Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana
Seated Forward Fold | Paschimottanasana
Head To Knee Forward Bend | Janu Sirsasana
Pose for Sage | Marichi Marichyasana A
Half Lord of the Fishes | Ardha Matsyendrasana
Bound Angle Pose | Baddha Konasana
Seated Wide Legged Forward Fold | Upavista Konasana
Tortoise Pose | Kurmasana
One Legged King Pigeon Pose | Eka Pada Rajakapotasana
Cow Face Pose | Gomukhasana
Firelog Pose | Agni Stambhasana
Mokey Pose | Hanumanasana
Headstand Pose | Sirsasana
Rabbit Pose | Sasangasana
Legs up the Wall Pose | Viparita Karani
Shoulderstand | Salamba Sarvangasana
Plow Pose | Halasana
Knees to Ears Pose | Karnapidasana
Lotus Pose | Padmasana
Yogic Sleep Pose | Yoganidrasana
Fish Pose | Matsyasana
Supine Twist Pose | Supta Matsyendrasana
Happy Baby Pose | Ananda Balasana
Corpse Pose | Savasana
Accomplished Pose | Siddhasana

Kind Words

Jennifer is a seasoned and skillful teacher, be it in therapeutic or dynamic, classical, or contemporary forms. She has a deep understanding of both the lineage and the business of yoga, coupled with a warm spirit and commitment to see her students realize their potential. ~ Claire
If you are looking to deepen your practice, and look further inside yourself, look no further. You will grow physically, intellectually, philosophically, spiritually, and emotionally. ~ Leslie