London-based yoga teacher, Jen Landesberg, founded her own studio called Blessed Yoga as a result of research from her placement year at UCL where she studied consumer psychology and entrepreneurship. She felt that yoga, which she found during her time at uni, brought together multiple disciplines like the mind, body and spirituality. Jen continues to practice and teach yoga and wants to inspire others to follow and change their own lives for the better just as she has. We learned a lot from speaking to Jen about founding her own business, the other women she admires and what’s next for Blessed Yoga.

What made you want to start learning about yoga and ultimately teaching it? 

One of my first experiences of yoga was actually on my yoga teacher training. About three years ago I decided to enroll myself into a yoga teacher training in California, having never gone to a yoga class before in my life! I had always had a bit of a fascination with yoga, as my grandma was really into it when I was growing up. It sounds strange but some gut feeling told me that I was going to really love it. I never thought I was actually going to end up teaching, but I absolutely fell in love with yoga on my training. When I left California I knew teaching yoga was my purpose. I knew how much the practice had helped me physically and mentally as well, and I just wanted to be able to share that with anyone and everyone I could. 

Do you think throughout the coronavirus lockdown there has been more of a move towards practicing yoga to help ease stress?

During lockdown I saw a massive spike of people getting into yoga. Not only is everyone feeling overwhelmed and stressed but also they had time during lockdown to dedicate time to the practice. I started a beginners yoga challenge on YouTube called “#blessedbeginners” and have been so surprised at how many people used it to start their yoga journeys. Seeing more and more people take up yoga is just incredible.

Which other women inspire you?

There are so many women in the yoga industry who inspire me everyday! Adrienne Mishler also known as “Yoga with Adrienne” is such an inspiration for me. She is the queen of Youtube yoga and has just bossed the industry like no one else. Sjana Elise - her yoga practice and her energy inspires me daily! The women in my family are a massive source of inspiration. We are a family full of girl bosses and entrepreneurs. Their successes and experiences give me the belief in myself to push on and do big things!

What has been your career highlight to date?

I feel like the past two years of teaching and of “Blessed Yoga” have been such a rollercoaster ride of fun, which I am beyond grateful for! I recently became the face of MP’s new yoga collection “composure” which felt so surreal. Just seeing myself up on all their channels, on their website was such a dream come true for me.

What are the difficulties that you have faced in starting Blessed Yoga?

The yoga industry is quite saturated, so it was definitely a challenge to differentiate myself from other yogis in the industry. It is hard to always have the confidence overcome the thoughts of “but why would someone take my class over X’s.” I have also found that yoga teachers are really undervalued for their expertise, so trying to break through and always remind yourself of your worth is tricky!

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

My parents have always instilled in me to believe that what ever I want to do in life is possible. They are the reason that I quite literally manifest my dreams.

What’s next for you personally and also for Blessed Yoga?

I am going through lots of shifts personally at the moment, as I have just flown the nest and moved out of home. That has been a really fun and exciting little adventure. There is so much to come with Blessed Yoga, so many exciting new opportunities. My main mission with Blessed Yoga is to just be able to help bring yoga and joy to as many people's lives as I possibly can, and I will continue to do just that!

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Follow @blessedyoga on Instagram to find out more from Jen!