Every Wednesday, at 5 PM, room 119 in Tommaney Library at Haskell becomes alive with eager students and faculty members. They gather, seeking a moment of peace from the whirlwind of their daily routines, under the guidance of Jennifer Nelson. It’s here, among mats and calm, deep breaths, that Nelson orchestrates a yoga session designed to offer a peaceful space in the middle of Haskell’s busy campus.
Jennifer Nelson’s journey into yoga began in 2009, a year that tested her resilience and compelled her to seek solace and tranquility. During this demanding time, she discovered yoga, which promised the peace and calmness she hoped for. Embracing yoga as a practice and sanctuary, Nelson found a healing rhythm that harmonized her body and soul. This personal testimony ignited a desire within her to share this gift with others. In 2012, with a heart full of passion and a vision to empower, Nelson embarked on her journey to become a certified yoga instructor. Her aim was not just to teach the physical aspects of yoga but to share an approach that could offer individuals tools and techniques to enrich their minds and bodies. She envisioned creating a space where movement and breath work together to foster well-being.
Nelson’s dedication to spreading the benefits of yoga found a new home in 2016 at Haskell Indian Nations University. Here, she was allowed to teach, an honor she holds dear. Teaching at Haskell is a professional engagement for Nelson and a deeply personal endeavor. She takes pride in being able to introduce yoga to the university community, especially noting the joy of witnessing the growth and journey of some of her original students, some even eight years into their practice.
Jennifer Nelson’s weekly Wednesday classes at Haskell are more than just yoga sessions; they are a testament to her journey from seeking peace to now holding a place of peace for others. Through her dedication, Nelson has created a space at Haskell that not only introduces the students and faculty to the physical benefits of yoga but also invites them to explore its potential to nourish the mind, body, and spirit holistically.
“Watching them grow, evolve, and dive deeper into their yoga practice is the reason I teach. I’ve noticed, as well, that my students at Haskell are especially brave and curious– always willing to try any new thing that I throw at them; it’s inspiring,” Nelson said.
In its diverse forms and styles, yoga serves as a holistic practice to harmonize the mind and body. Adopting yoga as a lifestyle can enhance physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual health. It emerges as a means to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression.
Throughout her time as a yoga instructor, Nelson has navigated a challenge that resonates deeply with the core of her teaching: changing the common perception of yoga as an achievement or competition. Nelson has dedicated herself to dismantling the notion that yoga is about winning or reaching a state of perfection. She emphasizes that the yoga mat is not a battleground for ego or comparison but a canvas for exploration and playfulness. From Nelson’s perspective, yoga’s essence transcends the physicality of poses and stretches; it’s about cultivating a profound and intimate relationship with oneself. She advocates for a journey of self-discovery where acceptance, self-love, and compassion become the guiding principles. Nelson encourages her students to abandon comparing their bodies and abilities with others. Her teachings center around the idea that yoga is a personal path to understanding, accepting, and celebrating one’s uniqueness, fostering an environment where individuals can thrive in authenticity.
However, this philosophy presents its own challenges in a world where achievement is often quantified, and success is visually documented and shared. Convincing individuals to shift their mindset from seeing yoga as a competitive sport to viewing it as a practice of self-exploration and acceptance requires patience, persistence, and a deep commitment to the principles of yoga. Nelson approaches this challenge with the same grace and determination that she brings to her classes, using her own journey and transformation as a testament to the power of yoga when embraced as a way of life rather than a goal to be achieved.
In her classes at Haskell, Nelson creates a sanctuary where the pressures of perfection and comparison dissolve, allowing students and faculty to engage with yoga in its purest form. Here, the focus is on the journey inward, learning to listen to and honor one’s body and mind. Through her teachings, Nelson aims to foster a yoga practice that serves as a tool for personal growth, healing, and self-acceptance, challenging the societal norms that often dictate our perceptions of success and worth.
“I love adventure, so I’m combining my love of travel with yoga and hosting my first international retreat in Italy this June. I would love to do a retreat or gathering that is more accessible and local in an outdoor setting as well,” Nelson shared.
In Nelson’s Haskell yoga classes, inclusivity is the main objective. All are welcome whether a participant is completely new, an experienced practitioner, or somewhere between. Nelson’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that growth thrives in the spaces where individuals are challenged. Accordingly, she intentionally creates an environment where individuals of all skill levels can come together, each encouraged to explore their practice at their own pace and comfort level.
Nelson’s conviction in the importance of pushing boundaries and venturing into unfamiliar territory informs her approach to teaching. She understands that true progress often lies outside one’s comfort zone, so she encourages her students to embrace the discomfort of trying new things. By fostering an atmosphere of experimentation and open-mindedness, Nelson allows her students to discover their potential and evolve both on and off the mat.
Looking ahead, Nelson has her sights set on expanding the reach of yoga within the Haskell community. With an optimistic outlook, she anticipates integrating yoga classes into the university’s curriculum. This exciting prospect signals a significant step towards making yoga more accessible to students, faculty, and staff alike, further reinforcing the notion that yoga is not just a physical exercise but a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth.
