Jen - Twist Yoga

I’ve spent the last 25 years successfully helping thousands of curious and brave people get out of their own way so they can live a soul-on-fire life of purpose.

For some, it’s not even that grand: they re just sick of acting like jerks or making the same old mistakes.

I love every minute.

I teach with humor and candor, weaving my own neurosis and love for metaphors found in binge-worthy television into classes, trainings and retreats…. So we can be better off the mat.

It’s hard to describe my classes; I’m not even going to try. But I will invite you to just come, with an open mind and a willingness to get messy.

Here are some other things about me 👇

I consider myself first a student. That, and a warrior against toxic positivity in the wellness industry.

What feels revolutionary in yoga? Brave honesty about messes and struggles and hard things. Like feeling uncomfortable and trying desperately not to manipulate or flee-by-pasta.

And this life we see online? The one that looks brilliant on the outside, yet is masking a deep fear of vulnerability and appearing unattractive?

I would never want that for you. You deserve better.

If you can’t speak about your wins and messes openly, much of the time that means you can’t bear to feel the shame about your life.

I feel this shame: of colossal mistakes and having more than one relationship implode. These mistakes are my most effective teachers and have always been a springboard for transformation.

But, oof: I just wish these lessons were less expensive and painful.

I *have* had human teachers, though. Among early influences – way, way back in the ’90s – were Shiva Rea and NYC’s Om Yoga. Since then, I’ve dabbled in all sorts of meditation that didn’t land: Bhakti chant camp with Jai Uttal, Buddhist meditation with Stephen Cope, and a disaster of a 14 day vipassana meditation retreat.

These things were really hard.

It’s normal to feel like a failure at meditation and yoga. It wasn’t until I found breathwork, repetitive motion and mantra that I landed in a meditation style that stuck.

My CV is below, if it makes a difference to my academic cred. 👇

In the meantime, don’t be fooled by your IG-crush whose brand positioning claims life is just *one* hell-and-back story that is sits securely in the rear view mirror. (Check. Fixed now.)

To live a life of purpose, you’ll have a series of successes and failures and starts and stops over and over again: Past, present + future.

You can feel shame or you can be proud of yourself and learn forgive yourself: Your call.

It’s not going to be easy, but you can do it. I’ll be fighting for you.

Let’s work together someday! I’m currently on a sabbatical through mid-2022. Or check out my Instagram @jen.at.twist.yoga and DM me!

* Before viewing this CV – I no longer follow GuruJagat or any teacher in KRI/3HO because they’ve failed to address the abuse that permeates their organization nor have offered meaningful reparations to the long list of victims hurt by YogiBhajan, the teachings and community of Kundlaini Yoga.

Jen Mitchell, M.Ed, ERYT 500, KRI: Curriculum Vitae (CV)

2022 – April Magrane, Sound school, 20 hours, Seattle
2019 – Guru Jagat, Immense Grace Solstice Workshop, 36 hrs, Los Angeles.
2019 – Guru Jagat. Aquarian Yoga Business Academy, 36 hrs, New York City.
2019 – Samara Andrade. Trauma Informed Yoga Training, 20 hrs, Twist Yoga.
2018 – Guru Jagat. Aquarian Womens Leadership Society, 40 hours. New Lebanon, NY.
2018 – Guru Singh. Kundalini Yoga, 240 hr certification, Seattle.
2018 – Guru Jagat. Aquarian Yoga Business Academy, 36 hrs, Los Angeles
2017 – Kia Miller & Tommy Rosen. Kundalini Yoga pranayama & yogic lifestyle Intensive, 120 hrs, Rishikesh, India.
2017 – Judith Hanson Lasater . One True Thing, 20 hrs, Edmonds, WA.
2016 – Judith Hanson Lasater . Semi-private mentorship, 80 hrs, San Francisco
2015 – Judith Hanson Lasater. Non-Violent Communication Intensive, 20 hours, Edmonds, WA
2014 – Stephen Cope. Loving Kindness Meditation Intensive, 40 hrs, Kripalu, Massachusetts.
2013 – Twist Yoga. 500 hour teacher training, Edmonds, Washington.
2013 – Judith Hanson Lasater. Level 2 Restorative Yoga Teacher Training, 20 hrs, San Francisco
2013 – Jai Uttal. Bhakti Yoga Chant Camp, 40 hrs, Breitenbush, Oregon.
2012 – Maty Ezraty. Ashtanga Mysore Intensive, 100 hrs , Goa, India.
2011 – Judith Hanson Lasater. Restorative Yoga Teacher Training, Level 1, 20 hrs, New York.
2011 – Rod Stryker, 20 hrs, & Sarah Powers, 20 hrs, Seattle, Wa.
2009 – 8 Limbs Yoga. 200 hour teacher training, Seattle, Wa.
2004 – 8 Limbs Yoga. Advanced teacher training, 50 hrs, Breitenbush, Oregon.
2000 – Cyndi Lee. OM Yoga teacher training, 100 hrs, New York
1999 – Shiva Rea. Prana Flow Yoga, 100 hrs, Kripalu, Mass
1998 – Stephanie Adams. YogaFit Level 1 & Level 2, 40 hrs, Seattle.
1997 – ACE Personal Training/Group Exercise certification
1996 – Brigham Young University. Masters Degree in Education & Curriculum Methods.
1992 – University of Washington. BA, Business Administration