Jennifer Reis Yoga

Two years ago at age 65, I decided to embark on a new career. Most people retire at that age. I wanted instead, to start a new adventure! I was born a teacher – my mother and her four sisters were all teachers, as well as my sister – it’s in my blood! I have taught many disciplines and in many environments throughout my lifetime including ballet, corporate training, and college web design professor. And now, my life is all yoga all the time!

Thus, I began to teach a yoga nidra classes each week at our local studio. I always loved the way people feel soooo good after a session! But mostly I loved that I was helping people transform their lives. Yet, I did not feel very confident myself, because I had no formal education in yoga nidra, although I have been practicing yoga for the last twelve years. I started when I lived in Hawaii for over two decades. In the beginning, yoga was just ‘exercise’ for me that helped manage Crohn’s Disease which is a chronic illness.

My more in-depth and serious journey into the yoga universe began when I took my 200-hour teacher training in 2018 in Venice, Florida, where I live now. My final project was to lead a yoga nidra community class. I wanted to learn so much more about it because the meditative effects could only be a benefit to helping manage my disease. I bought books and scoured the web for information about yoga nidra. Having experienced it only once prior, I did not know what I truly needed to learn. I found several styles of yoga nidra, and tried to compile lessons on my own based on that information. What I really needed was the structure and guidance of a yoga nidra expert.

During the past couple of years, I noticed that Jennifer has been visiting Tampa regularly each year and I wanted to sign up for her Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra Teacher Training at the beautiful Lotus Pond Studio. There was never a good time to fit it into my schedule.

I was so fortunate to at least be able to attend her 1.5 hour workshop there this year. Her workshop helped me since it was the first time in about a year that I had an opportunity to take a live class, as I was always teaching it.

Fast forward to Covid-19 in March, I was thrilled to see that Jennifer offered her Divine Sleep® Yoga Teacher Training live-online! This was my opportunity! And I did not have to wait until next year!

Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra Teacher Training was transformational for me! Jennifer recommended that as practitioners, but especially teachers, it should be practiced every day. I’ve finally set up a home practice space with my mat, pillows, bolster and eye pillow, for my own daily yoga nidra practice. I’ve found that my daily Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra practice has been a tremendous help with managing my Crohn’s symptoms. Now I have far more confidence in my teaching skills so that I can much more effectively help others, including Kids Classes.