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Integrated Body

Yoga • Somatics • Movement Education

I have been studying with Jessica for almost 10 years, and this practice has transformed my life.

I have been studying with Jessica for almost 10 years, and this practice has transformed my life. What I really appreciate about Jessica’s work is her devotion to inviting us to learn for ourselves the magic of movement. Jessica consistently brings a new – and fun – exploration each session, and I learn something in each and every class. For me, her teaching method allows me to access the heart and essence of yoga – a deep uniting of the body and mind through attention and awareness. What’s amazing is I continually discover myself and my own body in new ways rather than learning a step-by-step formula to get into a fixed pose – and this is something I can take with me off the mat and into my daily life. I know more about my own body that I ever thought possible, and I can apply the principles I learn from Jessica to my own practice at home. I know Jessica studies deeply what she teaches, including human anatomy, movement, and Body Mind Centering (BMC) principles.  From what I’ve observed, she finds the experience first in her own body, learns from this and then brings that knowledge to me so I can play with my own journey. I’ve been in a room of  30 people, and I’ve been in private sessions, and regardless of the situation, Jessica always makes me feel like I’m important,  valued and most of all cherished. Jessica is truly a one-of-a-kind yoga teacher who deeply cares about her profession, and most of all, her students. Plus – she just makes class fun!
~ Lisa-Student of 10 years

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Jessica’s focus on the student’s individual internal experience, continues to inspire me to the truest yoga, discovering WHAT IS in this body, in this moment in time.

The excitement of working with Jessica one on one comes from exploring – interactively – what I experienced in a class, with her eyes on me and her discernment focused on my movements.  I can express what I’m feeling (or NOT feeling) and together we can explore options as we work our way to an experience.  There is just NO WAY to do that in a class setting!  Often, I think I was following her instruction in class only to discover there is so much more clarity to be experienced when we work with the same movements one on one.
Jessica’s focus on the student’s individual internal experience, continues to inspire me to the truest yoga, discovering WHAT IS in this body, in this moment in time.
~ Rusty – Student of 15 years

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My body loves this practice and I use what I’ve learned as I walk, sit, go upstairs, etc. as well as in my yoga practice.

Jessica O’Keefe is an inspired yoga teacher. She is intuitive, creative and articulate. I began attending Jessica’s Yoga for Women class at the DYC five or so years ago and have had private sessions with her. I realized immediately that Jessica’s approach to yoga was different. The focus was not on how to achieve the “correct” posture or how hold the pose or sequence of poses. Rather it is about discovering the amazing support system our bodies offer us and how our focus on the way we move supports function, ease and healing. We move from the inside out; from bones and organs and glands. My body loves this practice and I use what I’ve learned as I walk, sit, go upstairs, etc. as well as in my yoga practice.

Jessica has wonderfully gentle, intuitive touch; she always seems to know exactly the place in my body that needs information. Rather than a “correction” her touch brings my body into new awareness or memory. I find I move more easily into poses that have been difficult for me. I always leave class feeling light yet grounded, relaxed but full of vitality.

If you are new to Jessica’s style of teaching yoga, let go of your notions of what yoga practice is. Be open to a new experience that may surprise you. You have the opportunity to really experience yoga in its true meaning as a mind, body, spirit practice. I find Jessica’s teaching leads me to a deeper awareness of how I live and where I live in my body.

~ Karla – student of 5 years

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Each session offers an opportunity to explore stillness, visualization, movement, touch, and breath. I’ve found better balance, tonality, and relationship to my physical body. Jessica encourages me to have agency over my choices and experience.

Jessica O’Keefe is a uniquely gifted teacher. I was drawn to her for a deep yoga study that values scholarship and curiosity. As a yoga teacher myself, Jessica is a master teacher whose counsel forms a touchstone for my teaching practice.

Jessica’s knowledge of the body is rooted in Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen’s Body-Mind Centering, which forms the container for her work. From this framework, she seamlessly and respectfully connects the student’s knowledge and experience with her own. Jessica welcomes curiosity, and allows for the struggle of learning new information.

I’ve taken group classes and workshops with Jessica, and have studied privately with her for 5 years. Each session offers an opportunity to explore stillness, visualization, movement, touch, and breath. I’ve found better balance, tonality, and relationship to my physical body. Jessica encourages me to have agency over my choices and experience. She is patient, especially as I ‘unlearn’ information and practices that no longer serve me. She willingly reteaches challenging concepts, finds creative ways to convey new information, and builds on concepts as they became integrated into my practice.

~ Mary Sue –  student of 5 years

 

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By continuing my exploration and practice of somatic yoga with Jessica, I have been able to completely relieve  chronic pain in my sacroiliac joint.

Jessica is an inspirational teacher who cares deeply about her students. Her extensive knowledge and compassion enable her to encourage increased consciousness for both new and experienced yoga practitioners.
I was fortunate to be introduced to Jessica’s teachings during my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training, and have learned so much from her about movement and an embodied approach to yoga. She has helped me develop a deeper awareness of my body, and an understanding of how to move with ease in my yoga practice, and in my daily life.
By continuing my exploration and practice of somatic yoga with Jessica, attending her workshops and classes, I have been able to completely relieve chronic pain in my sacroiliac joint.
I will be forever grateful for Jessica’s impact on my yoga practice, my body, and my life.
~ Clare-student of 1 year

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