Get Local: Jenny Otto
Posted on 23. Jun, 2011 by Katie Myer in blog, get local teacher profiles
Get Local is a new series featuring yoga teachers dedicated to Anusara yoga in the DC area. The aim of Get Local is to celebrate the abundance of Anusara in DC and to honor the many local yoga teachers who inspire students and build community through their weekly classes.
How did you find yoga?
Yoga found me. I was Executive Director of the Body Bank, an exercise studio dedicated to class fitness, and yoga was one of the programs I inherited when I was hired. I had a bad cycling injury that prevented me from teaching and taking the regular classes so I crawled into the yoga class since I could not do anything else. I hated every minute of it, as I was really tight from running marathons, 10Ks, and cycling half-century rides. I knew deep down it was good for me but it was so painful.
When did you know you wanted to teach?
I had an experience at a personal training conference with an extraordinary woman that was a sports psychologist, Diana McNab. She led us through an exercise after mediation for us to write down our thoughts, feeling or interests according to the question. One of the questions was” What would you do if you had more time that will benefit your growth?” Much to my surprise, I wrote down yoga. That really freaked me out because I hated it, but as I said, knew deep down it was good for me. I decided from that moment on I would work to become a yoga teacher. That was 1989.
What can a student expect in a class with you?
I am very creative and enjoy creating my own poses and variations thereof to benefit the health and well-being of every student. My teaching is practical, authentic and fun. I have been told many times I am a teachers’ teacher. I still hear from people that have taken trainings and workshops with me that say they still use techniques I have taught them in their classes.
What advice would you give to a new student?
Listen to your body, and if you feel what is being offered is not a good idea, don’t do it. Ask for assistance or modification. The teacher does not live in your body and cannot possibly know what you are feeling or going through. Do not turn your power over to anybody.
What do you love most about teaching yoga?
Helping others to embody who they are and learning how to live without pain. I love figuring out the right combinations of how to get people into poses. I love dissecting what is actually happening biomechanically.
How has yoga impacted your life?
Yoga has made its way in everything that I do. I see everything through the union of balance in all aspects of Being – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual – all necessary ingredients for enriched, harmonious living.
What are some of your current yoga favorites?
I really like the book The Wisdom of the Chakras by Ellen Tadd. This book was a gift from one of my students in Massachusetts. Most of my real favorites for inspiration come from sources outside of yoga.
What are some of your current yoga favorites?
Gomukhasana with side bends and twists.
What’s a pose that challenges you?
They all do in their own way but if only naming one I would still say revolved triangle. With the scoliosis in my upper back and cervical issues this pose still challenges me.
What do you enjoy “off the mat”?
I am a Structural Integration Practitioner and anatomy geek, always studying and taking courses. I’m a motorcycle enthusiast (I ride a BMW F650 GS), and I love nature with 5 acres of trees and gardens, complete with a fish pond.
Where can students find you?
Monday: NASA, Greenbelt
Tuesday: Body Balance Yoga, Annapolis
Wednesday: Body Balance Yoga, Annapolis
Thursday: Willow Street Yoga, Silver Spring
Details at www.bodybalanceyoga.com
Jenny Otto, E-RYT500, KMI Certified Structural Integrator, is the founder of Body Balance Yoga. From 2004-2009, she founded Golden Heart Yoga in Annapolis, Maryland with one of her former students. A student of John Friend since 1994, she is a Senior Certified Anusara Teacher who is well-known as a master teacher and yoga therapist, offering workshops nationally and internationally. Jenny brings detailed expertise of anatomy and physical alignment as well as lots of creativity to her teaching, and uses sound, breath, mudra, and meditation to enhance her classes.
