Yoga Story Beginnings
Photo Credit: Chris Rugowski
Jess started her Yoga journey in 2012, following along to yoga videos online as a way to keep a well-rounded exercise routine. After major life events, she decided to attend her first studio yoga class in the Fall of 2015, and soon after signed up for a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) that focused primarily on the Vinyasa Flow Practice inspired by the Ashtanga Yoga (Eight Limb Practice) Lineage.
After receiving her first Teacher Training Certification, she created Yoga Story and continued educating herself in the practice of yoga, anatomy, and mindfulness through webinars and books.
Since its beginning’s, Yoga Story has built roots in Appleton, Wisconsin and the surrounding Fox Valley Area, partnering with businesses and organizations to offer mindful movement and meditation practices.
In 2019, Jess started her 500 Hour YTT through Wild Abundant Life and became 500 Hour RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) Certified, further broadening her scope of practice to include certifications in Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, Mindfulness, Meditation, Yoga Nidra, and Yoga Life Coaching.
In 2022, Jess developed Empowered Mindset Workshops on the heels of watching way too many cult documentaries. Her interest evolved to understanding and offering science-based tools to improve cognitive function and help develop critical thinking skills.
In 2024, Jess created the 7 Pillars of an Empowered Mindset, further expanding on the Empowered Mindset Workshops to offer an accessible approach to doing self-inquiry work around the following pillars:
- Knowing Your Intrinsic Value + Worth
- Setting Boundaries
- Values Alignment
- Heart-Centered Living
- Using Your Voice + Deep Listening
- Knowledge
- Inner Wisdom
Disruptor | Mental Health Advocate | Speaker | Actor
A self-described and ever evolving misfit, Jess questions the status quo, speaks truth to power, leans into emotion, embraces discomfort, and remains open to insight and input from others in order to keep growing and keep going. Her brand is just her living life and doing her best to evolve her thinking and actions to meet the moment.