Seasoned yoga instructor Jennifer LaRue encourages people of all ages, shapes, sizes, skill levels, and stations in life to experience the joys that even the simplest yoga practice can bring — and to consider continuing their yoga journeys to discover hidden strengths, be they physical, emotional, psychological, or simply human.
Jennifer started her own yoga journey more than 20 years ago, when she began taking evening classes in her hometown library with her teenage daughter, wearing sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt and helping move the library tables before and after class.
Soon after, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which prodded her to rethink many aspects of her life. She came to more fully embrace yoga as a means of maintaining her own health and mental well-being — and to connect with other, love-filled, like-minded people.
Along the way, Jennifer came to learn that yoga is a great source of FUN and can be filled with laughter, often at oneself and always gentle. She also believes that each of us who practices and enjoys the benefits of yoga has an obligation to share that gift with all other beings through such simple gestures as lovingkindness, equanimity, and goodwill.
As a means of sharing that discovery with others, Jennifer — a freelance writer, journalist, PR person, and museum professional living in Hartford, Connecticut — began teaching, first at Braveheart Yoga in East Granby, CT, then at Granby Yoga in Granby, CT and at the Farmington Valley YMCA. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she taught many virtual classes; she is excited to return to the studio (under safe and controlled circumstances) and to continue sharing her love of yoga and her fellow yogis through shared practice.
Jennifer specializes in vigorous vinyasa flow and yoga for strength, but she offers many modifications for less-challenging postures throughout every practice.
“Frog pose is my favorite,” Jennifer says. “But ‘Frog’ is not a very inspiring name. So I went with my second-favorite, Half-Moon pose. I love Half-Moon because it represents perfect balance, limbs reaching in all four directions, one hand floating toward the sky, one foot grounded in the earth; one hand connecting with the future, one foot acknowledging the past, all of that combining to create a liberating, empowering sensation of floating, growing, and centering.”
Jennifer’s Half-Moon Yoga is currently open for private and group lessons at the place of your choice; you provide any props, and I’ll bring the caring, attentive instruction geared to your needs. To schedule a session and discuss fees, please contact Jennifer at jglaruehere@gmail.com.
Namaste, and peace be with you.
Jennifer LaRue 