Meet Jen Herndon | Yoga Therapist, Yoga Teacher, PTA

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

Hi Jen, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
In 2020, I worked in a hospital as a physical therapist assistant in our rehabilitation department. My life turned upside down with Covid illness. Becoming so sick I thought I would die. After 14 months of trying to return to my job of 33 years, I ultimately had to resign. My brain and body could not function well enough to do my physically demanding work. In my efforts to rerun, I broke my back.

I knew I had to meet myself where I was-and became a foundational Yoga Therapist, through Breathing Deeply. I hope to take the certification exam in the springtime. Through Yoga Therapy, I have learned how to help my chronic fatigue and have started to return to a more normal routine. I keep strong boundaries around rest and prioritize my self-care. Had I not, my body would have remained out of balance.

I love…love…working with people who think they don’t see any light. Don’t have any hope for improvement. People that struggle and are so hard on themselves. We all need care, education and new beginnings.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I work alone in my yoga therapy business., Choose Yoga. Choose. You. Yoga Therapy is an individual, holistic approach to caring for others with physical, mental and emotional concerns. Perhaps something that has not been fully addressed by western practitioners. I treat the entire individual, not just a shoulder. We do work alongside others and collaborate, but the plan is created for the person in front of me.

Yoga Therapy is not well-known and that is a challenge. So I try to share my thoughts, experiences and knowledge with anyone who will listen. We use the tools of yoga to bring balance to the layers of the body. This includes, Asana (movement), Pranayama (breath), Philosophy (Intellect), Spiritual Connectedness (Intuition), and Ananda (Ability to experience joy). To the whole self.

I want people to know that they do have a choice with what they decide to do or not do in their lives. Yes, some of these choices are hard, uncomfortable and unfair. I have been there many times. But we can begin to make small adjustments every day that lead us on a path of personal growth, awareness and peace. Choose Yoga. Choose You. Is exactly what it says it is. What do you want to choose? Quiet? Rest? Boundaries? Less pain? Freedom? Yourself?

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My friend and I would search out the Tiny Doors of ATL. They are all over the city and we would go to different spots each day to locate a few. Finding places to eat along the way. We usually try new places…here are a few ideas!

We would go to the Beltline Art Trail. Near the Krog Street Tunnel and start by finding Tiny Door #1. We would walk up the east side trail, and find the Paris on Ponce. Door. We would decide if we’d eat at Krog Street Market or Mary Mac’s which is within walking distance.

The next day we would begin by having an early dinner at Bone Garden, a really great Mexican restaurant. Then go see a show at the Fox…searching for the Tiny Door at the Fox!

One day we may head over for an outing to Zoo Atlanta to see the giant Pandas… and then locate two of the Tiny Doors that are in Grant Park. It’s a big scavenger hunt! For lunch we could head over to Grant Central Pizza. No frills & nice reviews.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a beautiful place to explore and restore. There is always something fun to see there. The Tiny Door is not obvious, but not too difficult to find either. I’ve seen children locate it. The Garden Room for fun cocktails and dinner with no prices on the menu! The night to live it up!

Fernbank Museum has many outdoor walking trails, a canopy walk, and outdoor exhibitions. They have a program called Fernbank after dark. The second Friday of every month, they present a variety of unique after hours experiences for adults. It includes full bar, food, music, and science demonstrations… we will be eating dinner here! The tiny door is located outside on Fernbank property! You have to follow the path through the wild woods and you’ll find a tiny door held to a stone wall by two dinosaur claws!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would never have made it to this point, without my husband and daughter. Mike and Monica have been most supportive and instrumental in my healing process. They are amazing at helping me balance activities and make things happen. Mike is good at telling me to go lie down. Go rest yourself…get off of the computer…or I can help you with that computer! Working with my hands and people never really lent itself to computer work except for basics! My daughter provides comic relief, lots of hugs and helps with all of my yoga offering. She is my best friend.

My family, colleagues and dear friends of 27 years have been present and available to listen, bounce ideas off of or to just go on a hike. I am truly blessed and grateful for them.

Website: https://www.chooseyogachooseyou.com/

Image Credits
Monica Emard