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Meet Jennifer

Registered Movement Facilitator, Registered Yoga Teacher, Dance Artist

I’m a movement educator, yoga teacher, dance artist, and qigong practitioner and teacher. I hold a BA in Literature and Contemporary Dance from the University of Calgary, an EYRT500 designation with Yoga Alliance, a Master of Medical Qigong (MMC) from Empty Mountain, and am an Associate Registered Movement Facilitator with ISMETA. I’m completing requirements to become a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist/Educator.

 

In my dance career, I’ve received awards from the Mayor of Vancouver and grants from the Canada Council and BC Arts Council. I’ve performed across Canada and Europe, specializing in improvisation with musicians and other dancers. My dance practice centers around Contact Improvisation and somatic movement.

 

Yoga has been a lifelong practice, and I am privileged to teach it. I lead teacher trainings, classes, workshops, and have developed a significant body of work around tension management and somatic awareness, particularly in areas such as the neck, jaw, and shoulders. I also practice and teach qigong, an ancient Chinese practice combining breath, movement, and 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 Chinese practice that combines movement, breath control, and meditation to enhance overall health and well-being. The term "qigong" comes from "qi" (vital energy) and "gong" (skill through practice).

 

Through physical exercises and breathwork, Qigong smooths your energy, calms the mind, and conditions the body. Research shows it can help alleviate depression, reduce high blood pressure, and improve posture and balance—all by strengthening the flow of qi in the body, mind, and spirit.

 

I’ve been practicing Qigong for over a decade, and it has greatly supported my mental and physical health. It’s accessible to all, with modifications for both seated and standing practice. I offer regular Saturday morning classes, both online and in-person in Calgary, and also teach Qigong series and trainings. Stay connected with my offerings by signing up for my newsletter.

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. 

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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.  

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Please get in touch to learn more about when my next training will take place in Calgary Alberta. 

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