Featured Alumni: Jennifer Ayala

How has your understanding of yoga evolved since you first started practicing?

My understanding of yoga has undergone a profound transformation since I first stepped onto the mat. Initially, I was drawn to yoga for its physical benefits—stretching, building strength, and increasing flexibility. However, as I deepened my practice and I continued upon this path, I discovered the profound and lasting impact yoga had on my mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Through dedicated practice and teacher training, I’ve come to realize that yoga is a holistic system that integrates body, mind, energy, and spirit. It’s a lifestyle that offers a wealth of tools to navigate life’s challenges, from visualization in meditation, chakra awareness to mindfulness, and well-being.

Even when I’m not on the mat, the techniques I’ve learned continue to support me, offering a sense of calm, clarity, balance, and connection to my inner self. Yoga has become an integral part of my daily life, and I’m grateful for the transformative journey it’s taken me on.

How has yoga influenced your personal life?

Yoga has profoundly impacted my personal life, teaching me the art of staying grounded and present amidst life’s ups and downs. Through regular meditation and breathwork, I’ve cultivated a deep sense of inner peace, enabling me to approach my life from a poised state. I actually feel an immense difference when I do not meditate and jump into the day. For me, meditation is the foundation that sets the tone for me each day, so that I can address any challenge with clarity, patience, and compassion.

Yoga has also heightened my self-awareness, allowing me to better monitor, understand and process my emotional and energetic states. This increased awareness has empowered me to make conscious choices in my life, respond mindfully to situations, and nurture a healthier relationship with myself and others.

By extending its influence beyond the mat, yoga has inspired me to adopt a more mindful approach to my overall well-being. I’ve developed a more nourishing relationship with food, honoring my body’s needs with whole, nutritious foods. I love to incorporate herbs and teas into my health regimen as well. Eating in season and consuming locally sourced foods has become a passion of mine. Additionally, my understanding of the chakra system has provided valuable insights, helping me maintain balance, harmony, and overall well-being in all aspects of my life. This knowledge and esoteric language that I am equipped with has contributed to the spiritual work and guidance that I have had the fortune of providing for others.

What are the key lessons you learned during your teacher training?

Teacher training was a profoundly transformative experience that enhanced my existing connection with yoga and deepened my understanding of its principles and applications. One of the key lessons I learned was the importance of authenticity and self-awareness—not just as a teacher but also as a student. I came to understand that yoga is about so much more than teaching poses; it’s about creating a sacred and curious space for others to connect with their own inner wisdom, healing, and the potential their bodies hold. Through my yoga teacher training, I had the privilege of learning from exceptional teachers who guided me on a path of discovery, growth, and transformation.

The subtle aspects of the practice, like breath control, energy work, and meditation, were areas I became deeply passionate about. Weaving a poetic theme through class and designing an asana sequence that reflected that theme was another incredible takeaway from Johanna Bell’s teachings. 

Sarah Gingrich’s anatomy intensive has enabled me to better understand the human body and provide guidance and support to others, whether in class or in everyday life. It has been an invaluable resource in informing my teaching and enabling me to better support students with injuries or modifications, ultimately enhancing their overall practice. 

Embracing ceremony and ritual as part of my spiritual journey and practice was another beautiful lesson I learned from Lauren Hanna. Her feedback during a mock class, “You have artist hands,” when I led hands-on adjustments, was a profound moment for me. As a multidisciplinary artist, this insight resonated deeply, and I carry it with me in my life and practice.

As I continue on this journey, I remain committed to sharing the transformative power of yoga with others through a lens that is accessible to them, while holding space for healing, growth, and encouraging self-discovery.