A familiar face, a new chapter. We caught up with Jessica as she navigates the beautiful transition into motherhood.
Jessica has been part of the Temple Yoga Community since the early days, becoming a familiar + steady presence in our studio. Recently, she stepped into a beautiful new chapter with the arrival of her little one. Now, about nine months into postpartum life, we caught up with Jessica to chat about this new season, how her practice has evolved, and what coming back to the mat + teaching looks like these days.
Take us back to the beginning! How did you first find your way to Temple Yoga, and what has kept you connected to this community over the years?
My yoga journey eventually landed me at a studio that Melissa used to teach at. I was so inspired by the practice that I wanted to do a training just to learn more- which lead me to Mel’s teacher trainings. I kept doing trainings and practicing, and it kept changing my life- so I became a teacher! Temple’s mission resonates with my teaching style. It seems to be the place students go when they want more than just the workout - and I’m proud to be a part of that. It’s a bonus that the students and other teachers always remind me of how amazing humanity can be.
What has returning to the mat looked like for you after having a baby? Has there been anything surprising, challenging, or especially meaningful about finding your way back?
My body is completely different and what surprised me was that it doesn’t function exactly the way it did before. My physical practice used to feel so fluid and the challenging class would give me exactly what I needed. Now I struggle with finding time to practice, plus I move slower and don’t stretch as far. I’m still figuring out what that looks like for me 9 months postpartum. When I get to teach, it’s part of my practice. I’m doing something that is 100% my thing, and I get to remind myself by reminding others of the stillness behind all the movement in our lives. It truly fills me up! I will say that yoga consistently serves as something I can come back to in some way anytime I need it.
If someone were stepping into your class for the first time, what would you hope they experience or take away from their time with you?
Life is so full, busy and complex! I want my yoga class to be a place for people to unwind a little bit of the tension in their mind. At the end of each of my classes, I always say, “may your practice remind you of peace”. I hope my students, even for a minute, feel a glimpse of stillness and softness. On top of that, I hope that moment also shows them that the feeling is safe and allowed to be accessed. I want them to see/feel that in seated stretch, a sweaty hard pose, a slow burning flow, or in savasana. Then my hope is that it can translate outside in regular life in some way. I know I need it.
