We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Zenner Clark and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
A lot of people have the idea that yoga is just stretching, or a place where people get into postures that look really uncomfortable. It is very common for the average person to never try yoga because they feel they are not flexible enough, and so they miss out on such a great opportunity to improve their mental and physical health. The truth is that flexibility is not required to practice yoga. Sometimes it helps, and sometimes it’s actually harmful. If you are too flexible you can easily get injuries, and what we’re really trying to teach is a balance of strength and mobility in the body. Another form of yoga is a breathing practice. I joke with my students that a person can learn to stand on their head all they want, but if they’re breathing improperly then there’s a big benefit missing from that equation! There are also plenty of people who are wheelchair bound, or are not as able-bodied as the average person, and this demographic of people gain tremendous benefits from a modified yoga practice, which also includes mindfulness and meditation. Yoga is much more than stretching.
What should our readers know about your business?
I’m definitely not the kind of person that one would think as a business owner. I grew up extremely poor, and endured a lot of childhood trauma. Fast forward to my early thirties, and I found myself siting in an alcohol rehabilitation center. That was eleven years ago, and I’ve been living a life of service and recovery ever since. Our brand focuses on helping people heal their pain and trauma through the practice of yoga and mindfulness. It’s front and center in our small business and we are even partnered with a non-profit that gives tuition scholarships to those in recovery seeking a yoga community to grow and heal. We are the only ones in our county that do this, and the only ones in the state of Colorado partnered with this specific organization; the Trini Foundation. Since we are a mobile yoga studio in addition to having a brick-and-mortar, we have the opportunity to bring yoga to those in drug and alcohol rehab centers, free to the center and free to the student. Our mobile offerings set us apart from all other studios in El Paso County. Since I have been a military spouse for almost twenty years, moving from place-to-pace every three years, the mobile offering just made sense. This means we can bring equipment and a custom class on-site for corporate offices, birthday parties, sporting events, or to those that just might not feel comfortable coming into a yoga studio yet and need more one-on-one attention. I embrace every challenge that has brought me to this point in my life. When people look at me they think I look like a typical yogi, which I don’t mind, but when they come to our studio they see the depth of what our studio brings to the table they see it’s much more than an exercise class. I don’t “look like” someone who has CPTSD or is a sober alcoholic, but these are the things that make my studio unique. Yoga saved my life, and continues to give me growth. Sharing these experiences with others is my passion, and my purpose. If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When people visit us from out of town, we always bring them to the majestic Garden of the Gods park, and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (best zoo out of anywhere we’ve ever been stationed!). Downtown Colorado springs and Acacia Park are great in the summer when they have the Farmer’s Market happening, and one of our all-time-favorite places to bring people out to is Old Colorado City, specifically Jives Coffee Lounge. The owners there are friendly and make us feel as if we’re the only customers that matter!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t have had the freedom to follow this path of healing and helping others if it weren’t for my husband, Joe. We’ve been each others supporters for just about twenty years. From the beginning of transitioning from a stay-at-home-mom and military spouse, to entertaining all of the numerous trainings over the years, to supporting my dream of finally completing my degree so that I could begin my own business; he’s been my number one fan through it all. I also realize that I am just a vessel for others who are ready and willing to hop on the path of transformation themselves. We all have a reason we find the practice of yoga, whether it’s body pain or heart pain, and my job is to just be of service. My students are what turn my teachings into a community. We continuously light each others candles and the ripple affect is powerful. They are the reason I keep showing up. They are the reason I continue my education as a teacher. They are the ones who hold me accountable to also be the best version I can be.

Website: https://zennermobileyoga.com

Instagram: @zennermobileyoga

Linkedin: Jennifer Zenner Clark

Twitter: @zenner_yoga

Facebook: ZENner mobile yoga

Yelp: ZENner mobile yoga

Youtube: ZENner mobile yoga

Other: TikTok: @zennermobileyoga

Image Credits
Sarah Kruep Photography, LLC CB Photography

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