Meet Jas Jakes | Yoga Instructor & Holistic Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jas Jakes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jas, what do you attribute your success to?
I’d say the most important factor behind my success is that I always try to come back to my why. It’s so easy to get caught up in planning for the future or overthinking what’s next, but when I feel overwhelmed or unsure, returning to the reason I started this journey always grounds me and points me back in the right direction. My why is my people—my community. I’ve been held so deeply, seen, and supported by the people around me, that love has given me so much healing. I want to give that back tenfold.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been in the fitness space for the last eight years, and I’ve taught just about everything; barre, kickboxing, heated cycling, cardio sculpt, HIIT, yoga, you name it. In 2023, I had the opportunity to step out on my own and fully own the experiences I bring to the table through MVMT with Jas. I create spaces where people can move, breathe, and just be…without the pressure or performance.

What sets me apart is the energy I bring and the relationships I build. I genuinely care about how you’re feeling, especially when I’m asking you to do hard things. I don’t want to just lead workouts, I want to hold space.

I’m really proud of the way I’ve built this career in a way that’s true to me. It hasn’t been easy, and the path definitely hasn’t always been clear. I’ve had to learn—and unlearn—a lot along the way. Coming from a background as a former D1 athlete, where performance and pushing through pain were glorified, I had to take a hard look at what sustainability meant in my relationship with movement. In doing that, I found a new purpose: helping others reconnect with their bodies in a more compassionate and sustainable way.

I got here through a mix of trial and error, a lot of late nights, and showing up even when I doubted myself, when I questioned my future in this career or when my home life felt rocky. But I also realized something important: people don’t need or even want perfection. They need presence. They want to be seen.

Once I was able to connect with that, I felt more free to try things. Sometimes you just have to throw ideas out there consistently and see what sticks—go through it in order to grow through it. That openness, that willingness to learn and adjust, and the grace I’ve given myself along the way… that’s what has allowed me to keep going.

f there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my work, it’s that I work so hard because I want YOU to know: you’re allowed to take up space and feel good doing it. I want to guide you through movement in a way that creates ease in both your body and your mind. I want movement to feel like a celebration—not a punishment, so that you walk away feeling proud of yourself, both on and off the mat.

And behind this brand, it’s just a silly girl who’s been through some bullshit, but also refuses to let up, because I know what it’s like when your peace is disrupted. And I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to navigate that alone.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh boy! My friends always say if it’s sunny and 75, you can catch Jas outside, specifically boppin’ around the Eastside Beltline, haha. I love doing real things with real people. I don’t need the biggest or flashiest experience. So okay let’s say some of my long-distance besties were in town (looking at you, Francesca and Laura!), we’d definitely make time for a yoga class (duh!), then hop over to LottaFrutta for a yummy smoothie. We’d grab the pups and bop around the Beltline to my fave spot, Just Add Honey, for an iced CBD tea.

I’d make sure we schedule some pool time in this Atlanta heat, and then end the day at Estoria for Vice Tacos, where you always see at least three people you know. If the weather’s cooperating, we’d spend a chill day at the Old Fourth Ward Skatepark, then swing over to Burle’s Bar or Barcelona Wine Bar in Inman Park for drinks and appetizers. If the weather’s not on our side and the boys are in town, we’re hitting up Mercedes-Benz Stadium for an Atlanta United game…getting rowdy with the best of them.

Then wrap it all up with a day party at El Malo and boom, you’ve got yourself a cute Atlanta week where you can be back in bed by 11 p.m. 😉

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely! There are so many people who deserve credit along my journey. The people closest to me know how much it’s taken to get to this point, and I truly credit them for giving me the courage to even try. I’ve also had the privilege of teaching some pretty badass people around the city over the past 8 years. If it weren’t for them showing up and filling my classes week after week—allowing me to be creative, silly, and fully myself—I’m not sure I’d be here. Their willingness to show up and meet themselves on the mat, in the studio, at the gym… gives me the courage to keep showing up, too

Website: https://linktr.ee/mvmtwithjas

Instagram: @jasjakes | @mvmtwithjas

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-jakes-b2a578ba

Other: link to my next event! https://www.thesupermarketatl.com/event/yoga-with-jas-the-rhythm-flow-experience?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLb9VZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpyJSZqvqxGU-A66YCDuo8UY1JhmtSqJcMAwZPUMJaGH48bCywbMzp-GjlGIE_aem_GdBFVCvaBroiUrj5BTxl2Q