On Friday June 11th we were delighted to host a live conversation with yoga therapist and former professional dancer Ivorie Jenkins.

Ivorie joined us for a rich conversation about yoga therapy, teaching yoga to seniors, dance, mindfulness, and more with studio BE founder and CEO Jennifer Ciarimboli.

In case you missed our conversation, you can watch the whole thing here:

A yoga therapist and E-RYT 1000+ yoga teacher, Ivorie Jenkins has dedicated herself to the practice, study and teaching of yoga since it revealed its benefits during her professional dance career.

After receiving a B. A. in Communication Studies from Northwestern University, Ivorie embarked on a 15-year professional dance career. She toured nationally and internationally with various American repertoire companies, and danced roles in film, television, and commercial ad campaigns. At the peak of her dance career, she moved to Las Vegas to perform with Cirque du Soleil as an original cast member of the show, Viva Elvis. There, she performed over 1,500 shows!

During her time with Cirque du Soleil, Ivorie turned to yoga as a pre- and post-performance ritual. The practice offered a sanctuary from the stress of the entertainment industry and the negative self-judgment that often plagues the minds of artists. It also gave her the tools to heal a debilitating back injury and other smaller injuries. It was a natural transition to shift her life in movement from dance to yoga and guide others to find their own healing.

Ivorie is now a full-time yoga teacher and yoga therapist based in Los Angeles, teaching for the most sought-after studios and wellness companies including Alo Yoga, Equinox, Sweat Yoga, Tantris and several corporate clients. Her studies are many, including: 500+ hours with her main teacher Annie Carpenter, a three-month India immersion in yoga studies and culture, a 10-day Vipassana silent meditation retreat, 300 hours with Noah Mazé, 200 hours Hot Yoga training, 60 hours PreNatal with Jennifer Moore and recent completion of 3 of 4 years of Loyola Marymount’s Advanced Yoga Therapy RX program with mentor Dr. Larry Payne.  This accreditation allows Ivorie to see private clients dealing with anything from cancer to frozen shoulder and treat them through the holistic lens of yoga.

There is a soul and a depth that Ivorie brings to her classes. Her attention to alignment and thoughtful sequencing will guide you safely while still challenging you to move beyond your perceived boundaries. Her career as a dancer gives her a keen eye to identify how different bodies interpret asana. No body is the same; therefore, yoga is not a panacea but a personal prescription of wellness.

What Ivorie loves most about teaching is reminding students of their wholeness, their innate perfection and inner wisdom so they might become comfortable with befriending who they already are.

We’re honored to call Ivorie a founding member of the studio BE faculty.

Learn more at www.ivoriejenkins.com, and follow her on Instagram.

Thanks for joining us, Ivorie! We loved chatting with you.

Feature photo via Ivorie Jenkins