Jenn

Jennifer Kostel is a Yoga Alliance Certified RYT 200 and holds a BA in Dance and BS in Business Management from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. Besides working with various clients privately, Jenn has been instructing at Seaside Yoga since 2008.

Her practice of yoga began much before she ever stepped foot on the mat. In 1998, Jennifer started to gravitate towards books that spoke of meditation and connecting to the deeper layers of ourselves. Then her background as a professional dancer led to her asana, or the physical practice of yoga.

In 2001, she experienced a back injury that forced her to cease all physical activity; it was even difficult to get dressed. She began to experiment with yoga and Pilates for some relief to the discomfort and pain. At first, Jennifer did not feel much of a difference so she did not practice regularly. After relocating to Wilmington, NC in 2005, she decided to give yoga another try. Upon revisiting the mat, she found a better body awareness, was well as renewed inner strength. Her back pain started to disappear. Within a year, she had registered for the 200-hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training program with the Wilmington Yoga Center.

Through the gift of the teacher training program and development of a more dedicated practice, Jennifer found a new direction and purpose in her life. The most pivotal moment on her journey thus far was a two day anusara workshop with Desiree Rumbaugh in June 2008. She describes this as the most transformative two days of her life. After feeling the awesome power that anusara brings from within, she was hungry to learn more.

Through seeking more knowledge, she connected to the Feathered Pipe Ranch in Helena, MT and received a partial scholarship to study with Desiree again in August 2008. Over the course of the six day retreat, she discovered her true passion for practicing anusara. This new love on the mat has inspired her to pursue the anusara certification so she can help others align with their true nature. One that can bring bliss 365 days a year!

In May 2009, Jennifer completed the 96-hour immersion with Seaside Yoga This indepth study of anusara brought an increased understanding and awareness. At the end of February, she had the honor of assisting Desiree and Amy Ippoliti during the ECA Fitness Conference in NYC, which affirmed her dharma of sharing the gift of yoga with others.

In April 2009, Jennifer participated in two workshops with John Friend; one of which was an 18-hour Therapeutics Teacher Training in Asheville, NC. Other upcoming trainings during summer 2009, Level I/II Reiki, Thai Yoga Massage, and the Art of Teaching with Seaside Yoga. In September 2009, she plans to begin the Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist Certification at Kripalu and is excited for the journey ahead.

As a teacher, she hopes to inspire and pass the gift of yoga to her students just as her teachers have so selflessly done for her. She is truly grateful to each of them for inspiring her to live yoga not only on the mat, but to take it off the mat as well.

Visit Jenn's website at www.drishtiyoga.net.