DIANE EVERETT

Five Element Yoga®: I've Found Something Magical

by | Jan 3, 2021

My husband was diagnosed with ALS in 2007. In the face of this terrible tragedy, my step-daughter Tamara was always serene while I felt frazzled and fragmented, uncertain of how to deal with my emotions. Watching her practice daily yoga on the porch or in the yard was calming as well and inspirational to me, and obviously was keeping her calm and balanced. She spent as much time as she could with us, helping me to take care of him for seven years.

Many people have a special teacher or mentor who has had a positive effect on their lives. I have been blessed with two special people who have guided me on my yoga path. The first was Tamara who started practicing yoga 20 years ago, and loved it so much she became an instructor. She has trained all over the country and now holds her RYT-500 certification. But more important than all of the hours she has studied and practiced yoga, she lives her ‘yoga’ walking the walk.

Over the years, she has helped me more than she will ever know simply by leading her yoga-inspired life. Although I’ve always been a dancer and enjoyed working out, somehow yoga never became a part of my life until I was in my fifties when my stress levels were through the roof, plus I was always exhausted and sad from taking care of my terminally ill husband.

Tamara gave me mantras to focus on: “Where am I?” Answer- “Here.” And “What time is it?” Answer- “Now”. We also did some simple yoga postures together. But since she lived for most of the year on the other side of the country, we were unable to really work together for any length of time.

As a Pilates and Dance instructor I was pretty flexible and strong, but yoga was a challenge for me. People often say to me “Oh, you teach Pilates, so you must be good at yoga” as if yoga were a sport. Although there are similarities on the surface of the two, they are essentially very different. And yoga was a stumbling block for me. I would try a few local yoga classes from time to time, but most of them were designed as “exercise classes” and that was not what I was looking for.

After my husband died, I was devastated and adrift. But one day I remembered that Tamara had gone to a place called Kripalu for some of her yoga studies, and had loved it there. I decided to be very brave and give it a try. I am by nature a shy person and an introvert and I’ve learned how to pretend that I am an extrovert – so this wasn’t easy for me. But somehow, I knew instinctively that Kripalu was a place that I would be able to be myself. I signed up for a four day retreat and that is where I met my second special teacher/mentor: Jennifer Reis.

I arrived at Kripalu full of trepidation that I would not be ‘good enough’ to participate in the classes. But I felt at home immediately, and I could feel my shoulders relaxing, even as I walked around the building and grounds, exploring. Being outdoors is a big part of my life and I loved walking the woods and nature there.

I met Jennifer on Thanksgiving Day, 2016 when she taught Water Element yoga workshop that morning and I continue to give thanks for having met her. Finally, I had found someone who taught yoga with a spiritual component, similar to Tamara. I still have my notes that I jotted down after Jennifer’s class and they say, “Excellent! Love her! I feel so nurtured.”

Being at Kripalu helped me deal with my grief from the loss of my husband through yoga, workshops, and simply being in a place where I could begin to think about moving forward. Meeting Jennifer inspired me to go deeper into yoga studies, and that’s when I began a small home practice of yoga and meditation. My confidence grew and I even began to think about perhaps one day dating again.

I joined a trivia group that met weekly at a local restaurant where I met a wonderful man named Marc who was even shyer than I was. In fact, he was so shy that I never thought we would develop much of a relationship. But, when I heard there was a free yoga class for faculty and staff at the University where I taught, I began attending, and to my surprise, Marc was in that class! Now we have been together for three years and we are keeping each other sane during this crazy pandemic. Yoga has brought me to happiness in a new relationship as well as all the other benefits it has given me.

A year ago, I created my own home studio so I could practice yoga in a setting more conducive to what I was trying to attain. I read lots of books, tried a few more local classes, and even tried an online subscription yoga class but still struggled to capture what I had found in Jennifer’s classes. I continued to practice yoga on my own. I even keep a yoga mat and props at my son’s house in North Carolina so I can practice during my visits. On my last visit, my six-year old grandson decided he wanted to practice with me, so we had a lively, laughter-filled outdoor yoga session together.

Kripalu is such a special place that I made a promise to myself to return at least once a year. I have twice brought friends with me so they could experience it too. On one of my visits, I took a five-day Five Element Yoga© retreat with Jennifer and I was hooked!

Each of the elements and their corresponding yogic postures and mudras made so much sense to me. Five Element Yoga made me feel as if I had discovered something magical. When Jennifer began offering online classes and workshops during the pandemic, I signed up for a few of them and they were wonderful. It was so much fun to ‘see’ Jennifer right in my home studio!

As my confidence and my practice grew, I decided to take her live online Five Element Yoga© Teacher Training in November. It was the perfect antidote to my pandemic-induced sense of lethargy and what people are calling ‘Groundhog Day Syndrome’.

Thanks to Jennifer, I had a purpose and a goal that was challenging to both my body and my brain. The two weekends flew by. Each weekend was so filled activities and camaraderie that made me feel so alive and happy. The women in our group were amazing and so encouraging and supportive that I felt confident enough to lead simple classes with my partners.

Jennifer inspired our sessions with her grace, gentleness and humor. During the week, I worked hard on my homework and class designs, determined to understand and experience Jennifer’s lessons to the fullest. I am pleased I did because the result is that in my own yoga practice, I now have a clear focus. The Five Elements resonate deeply with me, especially Earth, Air and Water. Not surprising, considering the amount of time I spend outdoors each day at the creek behind my house, at the Lake Erie beach, and hiking or snowshoeing in the woods with Marc and friends every weekend.

This training has given me the confidence to continue my studies and go deeper. I have a connection to Jennifer and to my physical environment through the five elements that I know I can tap into whenever I might need it.

I give thanks daily for my dear step-daughter Tamara, who led me to Jennifer and who continues to inspire my life with her serenity and amazing yoga practice. And I have deep gratitude for Jennifer who has changed my life in such a positive way and has given me the confidence to go farther than I ever thought I would.

SUSAN LEWIS

Refreshed By Five Element Yoga®

by | Dec 20, 2020

My family has a history of mental health issues, and I was first introduced to yoga by a sibling, who uses yoga as a way to alleviate anxiety. I myself struggle with clinical depression, generalized anxiety, excessive worry, a heightened sense of responsibility, and perfectionism. I’ve spent a lifetime worrying about a future I can’t control and torturing myself over a past I can’t change. I get very tired and feel like often I’m often running on empty!

I found Five Element Yoga® and Jennifer Reis through Kripalu which offered information about her. I began taking classes with her and love the combination of movement and rest. The self-care in terms of activating meridians and gentle massage is nice, too, as I’m sometimes anxious, and as I enjoy caring for others, I often forget to care for myself.

Yoga nidra has been a wonderful way to calm myself in the midst of stress, tension, and anxiety. It’s a vital tool in terms of rooting myself in the present moment, aware of where my body is in space. A few years ago, I added a yoga nidra training to my growing list of certifications. Because I’m often tired, yoga nidra adds some time of deep rest and relaxation. Following Jennifer’s warm voice keeps my mind busy enough so that I can truly sink into Mother Earth and rest into her loving presence.

Yoga postures have become a moving meditation for me, providing peace and relaxation. And, when I rise from my Five Element Yoga® practice, I feel refreshed, present in the moment and accepting of myself. My husband Ken (featured in one of the photos) is ever so supportive! And my cocker spaniel Domino loves yoga too, usually joining me on my mat.

Jennifer radiates warmth, caring, patience, and welcome. As a retired massage therapist whose hands still hurt sometimes, two knee replacements, as well as struggles with my weight, I’m pleased to feel at home with her yoga that is easily accessible and easy for me to modify.

I recently completed my teacher training in adaptive yoga and been teaching yoga for about two years. I’m delighted to have completed Jennifer’s Five Element Yoga® teacher training live online at the end of 2020. I love to teach gentle, beginner’s, chair, and yoga nidra. Given my interest in providing adaptive yoga, I’m thrilled to have Five Elements Yoga® in my toolbox! This model of yoga will certainly help me welcome students of all abilities.

CAROL TEDESCO

Great Medicine For Me

by | Nov 30, 2020

I discovered Jennifer Reis a few years ago through a Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra session led by one of her students, who was visiting my home of Key West. Something deep opened up within me during that yoga nidra – I released a well of emotion – and later that day something quite wonderful and serendipitous occurred: I consciously reached out to my late father in my meditation.

I acknowledged an apology he’d offered while still living, which at the time I had awkwardly brushed off, minimizing the cause behind the apology, and saying it was ‘unnecessary’. And now, in the meditative state, I was able to graciously accept his apology, as I wished I had done while he was living. And I also asked his forgiveness for my part in the dynamic.

That very day I received an email from an old friend of my father’s who said he’d been cleaning out old emails and “came across this.” What “this” was doesn’t really matter here. What matters is that I’ve found when I practice Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra, my antenna goes up and those kind of serendipities start happening.

That first session a seed was planted and I wanted more. I realized I wanted to take Jennifer’s Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra teacher training. However, time, travel, and finances were not all lining up. I work as a publicist, photographer, and historic shipwreck professional and I was very kept very busy with these threads in my life.

Then COVID-19 happened. Go figure that something so dire could be the catalyst to allow me to do the training, but it was. Jennifer reconfigured the course for live online training. I can’t imagine that an in-person experience could have been any better. The training was an uplifting and enriching experience from beginning to end, and not surprisingly, was accompanied by a series of “divine serendipities” that came one after another. A few of which involved the emerald cross painted by artist Kate Peachey in the “rock art” photo shown here.

And honestly, since then, each time I’ve attended Jennifer’s classes or workshops online, some wonderful serendipity has taken place, which I perceive as divine ‘high-fives’, like a smattering of golden stardust assuring me I’m in the right place, at the right time, with the right tribe. This has been an amazing boost during this pandemic time.

Next up is Jennifer’s Five Element Yoga® teacher training! A significant component of my work as a photographer requires balance, stamina, and flexibility. It’s not unusual for me to have to sprint for a few blocks while carrying a ladder, a couple of cameras and a backpack full of accessories, jumping onto platforms and over obstacles! At the age of sixy-one, yoga is an essential part of my life that helps me to stay fit for my very physically demanding and exciting work.

As well, I was born with an extraordinarily well-developed sense of urgency and work-ethic, so much so that when I’m not immediately engaged in some kind of work production, I feel guilty. Connecting with Jennifer and her teachings and practices, as well as the community that has developed in our classes and trainings, has been great medicine for me and my over-motivated spirit. I feel much more reconnected to my intuitive and creative nature.

The more I come into contact with higher vibrations, the more I respond with higher vibrations of my own. In today’s “cult of personality” – self-defined and pre-packaged celebrity society, Jennifer stands out as the real deal. Honest, true, caring, and wise. Indescribably refreshing. Her knowledge is deep – the kind of deep that takes many years and extensive study to achieve – layer upon layer upon layer. In other words, one does not “become” a Jennifer Reis overnight. How wonderful that all that knowledge is contained in a being of such enormous warmth who also possesses a delightful gift for teaching.

I’m so looking forward my next workshop experience with Jennifer – and Michael, the man behind the scenes who keeps all the wheels turning. In these days of pandemic, with livelihoods so disrupted, it can feel difficult to justify directing funds to something that one might consider non-essential for survival. In my opinion, this type of investment in oneself is more crucial now than ever! And this will be beneficial not only for me personally, but those in my orbit – a ripple whose effect is immeasurable.

Thank you, Jennifer for sharing your many gifts, and thank you Jennifer and Michael for bringing this wonderful work online, making it possible for me to attend and benefit.

EDNA MILLER

My Life Improved With Five Element Yoga®

by | Oct 30, 2020

Eighteen months after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis, I had to undergo a total hip replacement. I tried everything possible to avoid surgery, but my quality of life kept deteriorating to the point that I could no longer take walks. I had to use a cane, when I walked anywhere, and eventually, even around the house.

A lover of nature, instead of taking walks along Lake Ontario where I lived, I could only drink in the healing beauty by sitting on a large lake-side rock. And my yoga practice, which I had been practicing to some degree for decades, was limited to floor work, breathing and meditation. My new bionic hip gave me back my life! Gradually, over many months, I slowly reached my prior range of motion and cautiously worked my way back into most of my postures.

Something was missing though. I felt the need to reset. I needed to recharge and to somehow invigorate myself and my yoga practice. I hadn’t been to Kripalu Center for a while and thought it was time, so I searched for an appealing class. The description of Jennifer’s weekend FIVE ELEMENT YOGA® retreat sounded like exactly what I needed!

Five Element Yoga® resonated with me immediately! Jennifer’s retreat far surpassed my expectations. I was accustomed to steeping myself in nature: that’s where I go for grounding, balance and solace. Weaving nature’s five elements into yoga practice was a natural for me! This was a way to deepen my practice and knowledge. I left the retreat inspired and rejuvenated, ready for my new practice!

Five Element Yoga® feels holistic and complete, and I embraced every aspect of it: nature’s elements, chakra wheels, postures, breath work, mudras, self-massage, creativity, and introspection. Also how it draws from ancient roots of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda gives it such wisdom and depth. I went home with Jennifer’s guided CD and knew I’d be back for Five Element Yoga® Teacher Training that same year! I wanted to take a deeper dive into it to immerse and to experience all its benefits. I also was interested to bring something new back to my yoga students.

I practiced regularly with Jennifer’s guided CD’s including her Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra too!  And then Five Element Yoga® Teacher Training was amazing and gave me the depth of experience and learning I was looking for.

The effects of Five Element Yoga® on my life have been far-reaching. Now my yoga practice takes me to a deeper place. I have a clear keen awareness of its healing power, and how its healed me in many ways. Now when issues needing my attention bubble up during or after practice, I feel more empowered to face and resolve them.

I truly enjoy all aspects of this approach to yoga, and eagerly look forward to each session! It’s got me excited about yoga again. I weave aspects of Five Element Yoga® into my work with private clients, and I’m delighted to see the heart-warming and positive effects this practice has on them.

My relationship with the natural world has also intensified and deepened. Over the past several years I traveled around our beautiful country, visiting over 20 state and national parks and monuments. Now I see everything differently in nature: I feel and know I am a part of it all. And I see myself in nature.

One morning I practiced Five Element Yoga® next to the Colorado River at sunrise, with the sun casting deep red and orange hues on the water and rocky cliffs around me. It was thrilling! I was integrated right into the landscape. I had a similar experience near Zion National Park, practicing my elements with the majestic red-tinged cliffs supporting me.

Jennifer is a gifted and creative yoga teacher who demonstrates a breadth and depth of knowledge. Her very presence and soothing voice instill peace and calm in me, and her expressive style of guiding yoga takes me to a profound level of experience.

Fast forward to 2020, with the limitations and uncertainties imposed by Covid-19 and other critical situations around our country, it has been challenging for me. When I learned that Jennifer was offering a Five Element Yoga® Workshop on TRANSITION + TRANSFORMATION, I signed up immediately. I knew she would bring her extensive healing and yoga background with her creativity to give me guidance and tools to help me through this unprecedented time.

I came away with a fresh new perspective and realization that because the world is in transitions, I too am in the midst of transitions. She reminded us that many of the emotional and physical effects we may be experiencing, such as depression, anxiety, insomnia and emotional swings, are ‘normal’ for transitional periods. Jennifer gave me wonderful tools to navigate this rough terrain all tailored for coping with transitional times. We finished with a delicious Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra. The experience left me feeling calm, reassured, empowered and hopeful.

Thank you Jennifer, for sharing your gifts with me!