Meet Trailblazer Jessica Woodward

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Woodward.

Jessica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started developing my own yoga business last year in February 2018. I teach private lessons and small classes of 2-3 people in my personal, cute, yoga studio in my house in Cherry Creek North. I currently teach at Trufit Athletic Clubs in Downtown Denver and work through a third party fitness company called Mile High Fitness based out of Denver.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been easy pursuing my yoga career full time. I recently ended my path at the corporate office at Core Power Yoga and have decided to pursue my teaching more with continuing on my education with teacher training and going back to school for Nutrition & Dietetics. Making this decision has been difficult for me financially. I have made the choice of not working a regular Monday-Friday job sitting at the desk, receiving a regular paycheck every two weeks. My overall advice for any women out there following their true passion is to not focus on the income. Even though we live in “corporate America,” I believe the happiness that is brought from money is only temporary and it is not true authentic happiness. Like my mother has always told me, “you don’t take your money to your grave. You take what you have learned and who you were when you lived.”

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a yoga instructor in Denver, CO. The way I teach yoga is a gift. I want each and every student to get something special out of their practice. I want the students to feel that this is their time to take care of themselves and listen to their body and mind. I am a huge advocate for hands-on assist/adjustments in my teachings as well. I believe a simple touch on a student during their practice, whether it’s a deep compression on their hips and thighs in child’s pose, or a simple touch on their shoulders in Tadasana; every touch matters.

I teach as a healer and provider. I care for each student that walks in the room and will help them in anything with receiving a great yoga practice.

What sets me apart from others in the yoga community is the way I care and provide in my teachings. Most instructors I see at gyms and corporate yoga studios just want the class to be over. The studio I was certified from taught me to care for all the individuals in my class, and to give it my all when I teach.

Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Growing up I have always been a very hard worker. Even though I was financially supported, I wanted to work at the age of 16. After I graduated from high school, I went to college right now. My goal immediately was to graduate in four years, which with my drive and passion for success, I did. After I graduated from college in 2017, I worked several jobs in the event/hospitality industry, which I then discovered how unhealthy is industry can be and it was simply not for me.

Even though I discovered the industry was not for me, I still had the drive to pursue my yoga education and school education with going back to school this summer in June.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jwoodwardyoga.com
• Phone: 3038820509
• Email: jrwoodward94@gmail.com
• Instagram: woodward_yoga
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jwood94

Image Credit:
stefanrodriquez.com

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