Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Plessner.
Jennifer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
This question is difficult to answer because there are two distinct stories. There is the event that occurred in my childhood that fueled my ambition and drive and there are the events in my early twenties that shifted my life away from that ambition and led my heart to the yoga, being of service and all the benefits that would result from the practice. Both events have nourished the person I am today: a sort of combined thirst for all that life has to offer, but yet grounded and moving through with relaxed ease as I navigate all of the twists, turns and bumps in the road.
I guess I will start with the second story since it is the catalyst for where I am today. That chapter began in my early twenties as I was about to graduate from university. Those days were exciting and full of infinite wonder as my eyes were wide open to the entire world of possibility that lay before me. I was accepted into law school and was slated to begin in the fall of that year. But life had other plans. Unexpectedly, my father was diagnosed with a rare and terminal cancer, my parent’s marriage disintegrated and my sister underwent her own cancer diagnosis. The stress of these intertwined events was so intense and pervasive on my body, mind, and spirit that the only way out of my body was in the form of an undiagnosed illness. I was in the hospital for a few days and it took weeks to recover.
During this period of time, I craved relief. I felt curiosity for this thing called yoga even though I knew nothing about it. So, one day, I walked into a studio that simply said “YOGA” above the door. It was an Anusara studio and the woman who welcomed me in would become my first teacher and provide me with a beautiful foundation in the development of my practice over the years. She embodied such a loving and kind soul that begged me to keep coming back for more of what yoga had to offer. That was 22 years ago. The synthesis and integration of yoga, pranayama, meditation, and Ayurveda taught me new ways to live and function in the context of pain and suffering and also joy. It informed how I wanted to be in the world and also how to surrender to all of the things in life that I truly had no control over.
About ten years ago, I went on a yoga retreat with my teachers. I experienced things in that week ranging from quiet stillness to severe anxiety to unbridled freedom. It was during this time, I made the decision to participate in my first 200-hour teacher training. With some not so subtle nudging from my teachers, I began teaching at my home studio and continued studies with my 500-hour training.
Shortly after I began teaching, I met Melissa Smith. She is a force of nature and someone everyone should have the privilege of knowing. Melissa was full of ideas for how to bring community together, how to be of service in the world and how to live from the heart. All of this resonated so deeply with me. I, too, lived from my heart space, desired to bring community together and wanted to be of service. Melissa had just created the Breakfast Yoga Club in Houston modeling it on the founder’s intention. However, less than a year later, Melissa and her family moved to Malaysia. She recruited me to take over the BYC and nurture its organic growth, which I happily accepted. The rest, as they say, is history. Through the years, she has been a teacher for me, my best friend and also a godmother to my children. Not only has Melissa been an ardent supporter and defender of mine, but she has encouraged me in ways I never knew I needed. One of the greatest lessons I have learned from her and there have been many, is that you can’t have what you don’t ask for.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would like to first acknowledge that I have a really beautiful life. In some ways, I have been extremely fortunate. But life has definitely not been easy, smooth or without a substantial amount of loss and grief. I never tend to choose the easy path and I am terrible at asking for help. And but, every obstacle placed before me has yielded extraordinary growth once I figured my way through. I believe in infinite possibilities. If I am determined to do something, I will find a way despite the critics and naysayers. Negativity or lack of support towards me or my aspirations only breeds more tenacity and chutzpah within me to prove that there is more than one way to live life and I am under no obligation to follow the herd.
Around 6 years ago, I was confronted with an impediment that took me to a very dark place. As a result, I resigned from my job and went off to Asia for 6 months to pierce the light and find my breath again. Not only did I find freedom, lightness, and forgiveness, but I experienced love of the most profound kind.
While in this space, I needed clarity in order to make the biggest decision of my life. Stored within me was an overwhelming desire to become a mother. I was almost 40 and had no particular inclination to be married. Could I do this on my own? Ultimately, the answer was yes and I wound up birthing twin girls who are the lights of my life. See what I mean about never choosing the easy path? Three and a half years in, it is all things. It is everything I dreamed of and nothing I could have imagined.
If I were to offer young women any advice on their journey in life, it would be – never be persuaded to waver on that which is your deepest longing to achieve in life. If you need support, find it. If you need a kick in the ass, I am available to provide that. Love fiercely, be humble and graceful, stand in integrity, be kind and be who you were born to be even if you are unsure who that woman is yet to be.
What should we know about Breakfast Yoga Club Houston? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The Breakfast Yoga Club is a grassroots organization sustained entirely by volunteers. Our mission is to unite the yoga community by offering donation based yoga that honors all traditions of yoga. The BYC is yoga without borders and is not affiliated with any particular studio. We create monthly yoga events sponsored at different locations in Houston by inviting a variety of teachers from different styles to participate in teaching a round-robin practice. We also love to offer live music and breakfast when possible. Each month we feature a local charity to raise awareness and support for, with the intention of inspiring and cultivating activism in our community. BYC encourages bringing yogis to their mat to build new friendships, to play and to surround themselves with the kind of energy that fosters loving kindness and joy.
Over the last seven years of organizing and managing the Breakfast Yoga Club, I have been amazed by the strength of our common humanity. Strangers come together to practice yoga and they leave as new friends. It doesn’t matter what religion they practice, what their political ideologies are, what color their skin is or whom they love. They are there to practice yoga together in community. It is so beautiful to watch them move and breathe together. It is also a wonderful format for introducing local charities to the people who attend. My hope is that it resonates and motivates a desire within them to become involved in serving their community. It is invaluable to be of service to others. Organizing BYC over the years has given me a rare opportunity to build relationships with yogis and teachers that come from all different styles and traditions and who have different ideas about the practice of yoga. I feel that BYC has the ability to stand in the center and act as a bridge to connect us all.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
Truth be told, I have always been irritated by the word “inspiration” as I feel it is widely overused and creates a false narrative around the need to look outward for guidance rather than inward on how to live our lives as valiant, independent, creative and free-thinking women. I believe deeply that every woman is capable of achieving their heart’s deepest desire. It is part mindset, part instincts and part not doubting your innate capabilities. It’s a cocktail of ideas. We must find the courage to believe in ourselves, discover our own voice and be resolute against all of the negative self-talk. Sometimes, we can do this on our own and sometimes, we need someone to open the door to shine a light on our greatness.
So, I would rather think more in terms of “admiration” for what I see women accomplishing in their lives. What I love most about the women I admire is their intelligence and humor, their strength and capacity for not taking themselves too seriously. I admire their resourcefulness to stay steady (even in the face of personal struggle), their ability to feel deeply, to care for others, to be kind and compassionate and to move with grace and be in integrity even when it is difficult. I admire women who have taken the time for self-reflection, who look within and embrace the work that needs to be done to overcome personal trauma, feelings of inadequacy, lack of love or whatever it may be and who recognize that there can be no light without darkness. I admire those women who choose to face their fears and go into the world to create something bigger than themselves. And lastly, I admire the exquisite joy radiating from a woman who has accomplished something important to them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.breakfastyogaclubhouston.com www.elmflats.com
- Phone: 7138549333
- Email: jplesz@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bychouston/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreakfastYogaClubHouston/
- Other: www.jplesz.wordpress.com
Image Credit:
Anthony Rodriguez, AREXPRESSIONS Photography, Alix Yoga & Photography
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