Meet Jennifer
Registered Movement Facilitator, Registered Yoga Teacher, Dance Artist
I am a movement educator, yoga teacher, dance artist, and a practitioner and teacher of qigong. I hold a BA in Literature and Contemporary Dance from the University of Calgary, I hold an EYRT500 designation with Yoga Alliance, I hold a MMC (Master of Medical Qigong) from Empty Mountain, and Associate Registered Movement Facilitator with ISMETA. I am in the process of completing requirements to become a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist/Educator through ISMETA.
In my dance career I have been awarded by the Mayor of Vancouver, received numerous Canada Council and BC Arts Council grants. I have performed through BC, parts of Canada as well as Europe. I excel in performing improvisation with musicians and other dancers and movers. My main form of dance technique has been Contact Improvisation. I approach dance and all of my movement offering from a somatic perspective. More information below.
Yoga has been with me since my early 20s and I have dedicated my life to learning this ancient, life transforming practice. The poses (asana), the breathing (pranayam), the philosophies (sutras) are always fresh and adaptable to any stage of life. I lead yoga teacher trainings, weekly classes, workshops and series. I have a significant body of work around managing tension in the neck, jaw and shoulders.
I also practice and teach qigong which is an ancient movement form from China that included breath, gentle physical movements, and mental focus.
Get onto my newsletter to stay informed about my offerings with any of the above modalities -- Yoga, Qigong, or Somatics.
Yoga
I started practicing Hatha Yoga over two decades ago. My yoga practice has helped me stay present during the challenges of life, and importantly, helped me recognize when I lose my connection to myself and my path. Yoga has changed with me. It is a self care tool that supports me to be responsive to life, uphold my intentions, and find flow. I am grateful to my students for studying with me all these years, some of whom I've had the honour of teaching since the beginning of my career.
I took my first yoga teacher training in 2004 and I have accumulated 1000s of hours of training over the past two decades of teaching yoga. dedicated my life to the study of movement, yoga, dance, meditation, spirituality, energy healing, anatomy and qigong. I am a 500 hour registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. I have completed teacher trainings with Yoga Works in LA, Open Source Yoga. And, I have had the honour of learning directly from students of Mr. BKS Iyengar and Sri K Pattabhi Jois. I am trained as Trauma Informed yoga teacher. I have been teaching 5-10 weekly classes for almost 2 decades!
Qigong
Qigong is an ancient practice from China that blends movement, breath control, and meditation to boost overall health and wellness. The name "qigong" comes from two Chinese characters: "qi," which refers to "vital energy," and "gong," which signifies "skill through work". Qigong practice is a series of physical exercises and breath work that "smooths" your energy, calms your mind and conditions the physical body. There is research to show that Qigong can help to alleviate depression and anxiety, reduces high blood pressure, and improve posture and balance. In qigong terms, these benefits are a result of the qi/chi being strengthened in our body, mind and our spirit. I have been practicing Qigong for my own mental and physical health for over a decade. I have found it to be deeply beneficial to build a sense of inner well being.
Qigong is incredibly accessible since it can be done both seated and standing. Like yoga, it can be modified for the individual. I teach Qigong on a regular basis Saturday morning either online or in person in Calgary, Alberta. I also teach series and trainings. Get onto my newsletter to stay connected to my offering in qigong
Somatics and Dance
I trained in dance at the University of Calgary and at MainDance in Vancouver. Dance and movement, be it through yoga, qigong, or improvisation, is when I truly feel the most free. Movement helps me find my true nature that is hidden due to life's challenges, strains, traumas, and duties. Dance and movement has helped me nurture my spontaneity, my responsiveness, and bring forth healing. Throughout my career, I have not only focused on choreography but have also embraced improvisation as a vital aspect of my dance practice. Improvisation requires moment by moment decision making, generosity and problem solving, all while maintaining and upholding connection with other dancers and musicians. This is a fulfilling practice.
Informed by my 20 year practice off movement training, I offer somatic movement sessions that are one on one or in groups. I teach embodiment and movement patterning that give individuals long lasting tools that can override dysfunctional patterns, and can act as a valuable self-care strategy when in the throes of illness. Contact me and book a session.
Yoga Teacher Training and Facilitation
I have been teaching, facilitating, writing manuals, editing manuals and programming yoga teacher training programs for the the past 10-years. All the programs I have built and taught with are Yoga Alliance Registered which means they adhere to the standards of ethics and quality.
Learning to teach yoga back in 2006 has been one of the most life changing endeavours that I have engaged in. Since 2016 I have been teaching and supporting yoga students how to further develop their practice, understand their body, and how to adapt and grow within the practice. And importantly, how to offer their knowledge to others. It is my experience that the best way to evolve what you know is to teach it. Some students that graduate from my programs often have other careers and teach yoga part-time, while others have dedicated their life to teaching and the art and practice of yoga.
I truly LOVE teaching students of yoga. I love the multi-week experience of diving into new material with students. I am honoured to meet people where they are at and work together to learn new material at a pace that serves them.
Please get in touch to learn more about whn my next training will take place in Calgary Alberta.
