Instructor

Classes are taught by Jean R. Powers, owner of "Yoga By Jean" experienced in various styles of yoga: Alignment, Acro, Ashtanga, Hatha, Hot 26, Therapeutic, Vinyasa Flow, & Yin. She was voted Best Yoga Instructor six consecutive years by Jackson Free Press.  She was one of the first yoga instructors in the country to receive CCYT (Christ Centered Yoga Teacher) certification and one of the first instructors in the state of MS to receive RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) certification. She also has received certifications in Stotts Pilates, FitTour PiYo, and Yin Yoga. A former college instructor, her passion is taking something difficult and making it easy for others--whether it’s a classroom learning experience, or doing a yoga pose. She provides a safe place for all to be able to feel good about themselves and to rehab injuries. Her teaching style is personable, conversational, and steeped in easy to understand alignment principles with much one-on-one attention to ensure proper technique.   

I think of alignment as working with the body, not against the body. To follow up on that thought, we must keep in mind that there are many bodies! We all have different life stories, injuries, stressors, and situations. Why blanket that diversity with one rigid process of having to perform traditional sun salutations when you have an injured shoulder, wrist, or carpal tunnel syndrome? 

Tradition is at the core of what I teach, yet as the medical community understands more about soft tissue injuries, I try to incorporate physical therapy exercises into the practice. In my opinion, there is not a one-size-fits-all yoga practice. My personal belief system is mirrored strongly in anatomical knowledge, and I am always on the lookout for ways to increase enjoyment for my students. To that end, you’ll find my classes pull from many of the yoga families. The greatest practice happens off the mat when we can use these techniques to help speed healing of an injury and to deal with daily stresses of life. 

I have participated in trainings in AL, GA, MS, NC, SC, FL and AZ with many notable national yoga instructors as:  Dr. Baxter Bell, Bryan Kest, Doug Johnson, Doug Swenson, Doug & David Keller, Desiree Rumbaugh, Jenni Fox, Jordan & Martin Kirk, John Merideth, Raye Lynn Rath, Rod Striker, Nischala Joy Devi, Dennis Dean, Melonie Fowler, Jenni Fox, Beth Shaw, Judith Lassiter and Dr. Sherma of Himalayan Mountain. 

I want to move my body for as long as I’m blessed to have use of it, and to do so I believe in working with natural range of motion, not against it. It would be great marketing to say I’m “all about yoga” or I do asana all day every day, but it wouldn’t be honest. Like you, I am many others things and have a life off the yoga mat. My classes provide a place for Christians, as well as nonbelievers, to be able to feel good about themselves and to rehab injuries. I want to share the physical gift of yoga with others in a safe place where our meditations are on God’s Holy word seeking to do His will.

By His Grace!

Jean

May the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing his will and may he work in us what is pleasing through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.  Hebrews 13:20-21