Cultivating compassionate awareness, presence and joy through the practices of yoga, pranayama and meditation that our daily lives may be infused with a sense of vitality, ease and tenderness of heart.
“From joy all beings have come.
In joy all beings are sustained.
To joy all beings return.
This is the highest teaching.”
-The Upanishads
Jessa’s passionate commitment to living an authentic, embodied life shines through as she teaches what most deeply inspires and strengthens her own life and practice. From the deep stillness of Yin, Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra to the energizing flow of Vinyasa, Jessa invites students to meet themselves on their mats exactly as they are, with curiosity and compassion.
“If you begin to understand what you are without trying to change it, then what you are undergoes a transformation. – J. Krishnamurti
From meditating with Buddhist monks and nuns in high mountain monasteries throughout Asia to discovering the transformative power of yoga and Ayurveda in the howling jungles of Costa Rica and Bali, Jessa traveled the world for over a decade, immersing herself in the study and practice of ancient wisdom traditions. She received her M.A. in Philosophy and Religion from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco in 2006. Upon returning to Minnesota in 2011, she completed the 230-hour Yoga Teacher Training through the Yoga Center of Minneapolis, followed by the ParaYoga Master Tantra Training with Rod Stryker. Her practice and teaching continue to deepen and evolve through the influence of Ben Vincent, Betsy Weiner, Dr. Indu Arora, Sarah Powers, Rod Stryker, Jack Kornfield, Mark Nunberg and Thea Lee.
In addition to teaching yoga, Jessa is thrilled to be co-producing the 2014 Minneapolis Yoga Conference with Amy Patee. Jessa is also the founder and owner of Workplace Yogi.
“I was hesitant to return to yoga as an older, less coordinated student. However, Jessa’s warm welcome and gentle instruction allowed me to begin to reap the benefits of her Vinyasa classes immediately. Every session I feel both stronger and softer in my body. More importantly, Jessa’s ability to impart the broader gifts of yoga has enabled me to navigate a difficult stage of my life with an unimaginable sense of ease and love.” – Anna L.
Jessa offers yoga and meditation classes, series, workshops and private instruction in the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota area.