Jen Snyder Buddhi Yoga Teacher of the Month

February Yoga Teacher Highlight

Jen Snyder is our rocking’ Beginner Flow yoga teacher on Wednesdays at 10:45am and starting March she will be teaching another Beginner Flow class on Saturdays at 11:30am. She’s also our yoga teacher to the rescue when we need Slow Flow and Prenatal subs. Jen always shows up with a smile and ready to teach her heart out. We want to thank her for being so awesome! Read on to get to know her and be sure to pop in to one of her classes.

What draws you to yoga and why did you start practicing

Rather than sports, my main interest growing up was dance – mainly modern and jazz. So for most of my life I’ve appreciated the benefits of moving with the breath and creating “the zone.” Being in this state develops an overall sense of connectedness, integrating the mind, body and emotion. I can’t find that with any other activity.

What’s your favorite type of class to teach

I like to mix it up with different styles as it challenges me to shift gears and approach yoga from different angles, but at the moment I teach more Beginner and Slow Flow. I find that slowing the practice down helps with teaching alignment and brings awareness to the targeted muscles. Training the mind to be aware of the body ultimately translates into preventive medicine.

Who’s on heavy rotation in your playlists

At the moment I’m loving Ben Howard, James Vincent McMorrow and Ben Harper.

What has changed in your life since having a regular yoga practice

I approach life with more compassion for myself and others. It’s taught me not to sweat the small things and that’s hugely helpful with my 11 year-old son and 13 year-old daughter.

If you could interview any famous yogi who would it be and what would you ask them

Definitely Tiffany Cruikshank. She applies her extensive knowledge of the body and nutrition to the practice of yoga. I would love to pick her brain on many aspects of anatomy and physiology, but I’d start with asking how she’d create a class compensating for the body’s asymmetry. What poses does she find universally beneficial and which ones are best to avoid.

What inspires you to keep doing yoga day after day

People in the yoga community have great positive energy! And honestly, there has never been a time when I have walked out of class and said, “I shouldn’t have done that!” At the end I always leave feeling connected on all three dimensions – mind, body and emotion. I’m also ready to take on the day.