Testimonials

“Jenny is the most inspiring yoga teacher I’ve ever practiced with - a true guide as much as an instructor. I first discovered her through her legendary Friday noon class at Kala in Bushwick, and quickly rearranged my schedule so I rarely missed it. Her classes are on another level: you can feel the depth of her training in the way every sequence flows seamlessly, balancing traditional foundations with inventive transitions that keep the practice alive and surprising. Each session leaves you both grounded and recharged for the weekend.

Jenny creates a rare kind of magic, weaving the spiritual heart of yoga with playful exploration of movement. Her presence is gentle and kind, and when she listens you feel her full attention and care. Over time she’s become not only a teacher but a friend, someone whose wisdom and warmth extend well beyond the mat.

I also joined her retreat in upstate New York, co-led with Paula, and it was by far the most thoughtful and enriching retreat I’ve attended. We practiced three times a day, ended evenings with yoga nidra, and shared everything from foraging walks to fireside conversations. Every detail reflected Jenny’s dedication and generosity.

Practicing with Jenny is a gift. She elevates yoga beyond exercise into a deeply nourishing experience, and I’m endlessly grateful for the way she shares her talent and spirit with her students.”

- Joanna, Design Strategy and Insights in Banking and Finance

Joanna is a student in Jenny’s public classes and has attended a retreat

“When I began private sessions with Jenny, my intention was to build better alignment in my body and cultivate more vitality. Before our first session, I filled out a thoughtful worksheet that helped clarify my needs and intentions, and from the very start, Jenny took the time to truly listen and observe all of me — body, mind, and spirit. She created a plan tailored just for me, and we began working on it right away.

Not long after, however, my mother received a terminal diagnosis, and my initial goals shifted. I suddenly needed to build the capacity to withstand the stress of caregiving and, ultimately, the grief of loss. During this most difficult time, every single session with Jenny left me feeling stronger, soothed, and more aligned. She had an incredible ability to sense exactly what I needed and how my body needed to move in each moment. Having that kind of support during the most heart-wrenching time of my life is something I’m truly grateful for.

Now, after my mother’s passing, Jenny continues to be an integral part of my healing. Beyond the physical practice of yoga, she offers wisdom, knowledge, love, and care with such generosity. I look forward to our sessions because I know I’ll always leave feeling better than when I arrived — more centered, more grounded, more myself.

Working with Jenny isn’t just a yoga practice; it’s a whole experience that has the power to change your life for the better.”

- Delilah, Media & Entertainment Creator, Curator and Consultant

Delilah is a private 1:1 yoga therapy client

“I knew I wanted to work with Jenny in a mentorship format because she is a teacher with who I've practiced with and studied under for several years and I have always felt that she shares the yoga practice in a genuine way that feels true to who she is. She was already one of my favorite teachers to practice with prior to studying with her as part of my 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, but after learning from her in that environment I had a new appreciation for her approach to the practice and the specific areas of study that she specializes in.

Jenny specifically addressed all of my areas of interest and then some, crafting a personalized curriculum for me for the course of our mentorship and bringing in topics and points of learning for me from outside of my initial interests and goals that she knew would support my greater development as a teacher and human. A specific example of a learning exercise that Jenny brought into our mentorship was, early on in our mentorship timeline, working with me to develop my Pillars of Teaching. While this is likely not something I would have ever thought to ask for or do on my own, it ended up being highly impactful for me as a teacher and practitioner. Developing these pillars gave me a framework to draw upon whenever I feel lost in class planning or question what I'm doing as a teacher or just need a metaphorical "home base" to come back to and ground myself with. Jenny continued to weave the pillars that I created throughout our mentorship sessions and continuously held a mirror up to me and my work to remind me of the presence of these pillars.

Prior to mentorship, I was seeking more insight, training, and guidance surrounding my teaching practice in the areas of becoming more confident as a teacher, better understanding how to plan for and prepare my public classes each week, and how to work 1:1 with private clients. I was also curious about ways to further integrate Āyurveda into both my personal practice and teaching practice, with Jenny's guidance.

Now that our mentorship is completed, I feel genuinely more confident and steady in my teaching practice, and feel generally less stressed out about teaching in general. Jenny truly helped me realize my potential as a teacher and showed me that I was already doing that aligned with where I wanted to grow.”

- Greg, Arts Educators and Administrator, Yoga Teacher

Greg is a student in group classes, a 200HR YT Trainee and has completed 1:1 mentorship with Jenny

“Jenny is an amazing yoga instructor who is compassionate and understanding. I wanted to take yoga with someone who would complement my calisthenics, weightlifting and boxing training exercises. Jenny was great at customizing our private sessions for exactly what I needed, including incorporating breathwork, stimulating and challenging positions, and restoration poses as a form of recovery. My overall mobility, balance and body alignment has noticeably improved since working with her. She’s also patient and great at explaining things during our lessons so that you maximize each pose/movement. I especially love Jenny’s holistic approach to health and her focus on my complete wellness. After every session, I feel more at peace and grounded. I highly recommend Jenny to anyone interested in improving not only their physical health but also their inner awareness and peace.”

- Salomon, Attorney

Salomon is a private 1:1 yoga therapy client

“Working with Jenny has been a deeply transformative experience. As a yoga therapist, sound healer, and spiritual supporter, Jenny has held space for me with unwavering compassion and wisdom. When I began our work together, I was navigating PCOS, chronic neck and shoulder pain, and depression—each impacting my sense of self and connection to my body. Jenny met me where I was, offering not just physical relief but emotional and spiritual support that gently shifted the way I relate to my body and my worth.

Through her intuitive guidance, sound healing, and therapeutic movement, I’ve experienced real and lasting change. Jenny helped me ease long-standing physical discomfort, while also empowering me to expand my spiritual practice and cultivate a more loving relationship with myself. Her presence is grounding, her knowledge is vast, and her care is genuine. Jenny doesn’t just offer healing practices—she offers a relationship rooted in trust, deep listening, and sacred attunement. Working with her has opened pathways to healing I didn’t know were possible and reminded me that I am worthy of feeling well, whole, and connected.”

- Galloway, MSW and Advocacy Manager

Galloway is a private 1:1 yoga therapy client and has taken group classes and attended special events and workshops

“Where to start with Jenny?! She is a legend of yoga and body movement. I first met her at the yoga studio I went to that she was an instructor at. Her classes always had interesting flows and different ways of moving your body. Her energy was gentle but knowledgeable and the classes were fun and challenging. When you hit a pose you got the sense she was genuinely excited for you. It could just be moving your knee slightly out in warrior two or evening out your hips in a simple one armed twist, she notices every detail.

When I started having significant back issues I asked her if she did private one on one sessions. Good news: she does! She came over every Saturday and worked with me on form, drilling down into the smallest details, like pressing down with your big toe when coming up to a high lunge and keeping your middle finger working during downward dog. I left our sessions feeling much more solid in my foundation of yoga. I also felt safer in practice and able to do more.

Overall Jenny is a wonderful person and giving teacher. I highly recommend her for either group yoga or one on one sessions - or both! You won’t regret it.”

- Kaitlin, Hospitality Partner, Director and Manager

Kaitlin is a private 1:1 yoga therapy client and group class student

“I honestly couldn’t sing Jenny’s praises enough.

Jenny is a pure ball of light. I’ve been practicing with her for the past three years at Kala Yoga in Bushwick. She has a way of creating a space that is as grounding as it is rejuvenating. Her flows transition so seamlessly, I often feel like I’m dancing with my breath (and I’m not a dancer!).

So naturally, when I was putting together a yoga and wellness event for my last project with Breksey (a mental health startup), Jenny was my first call. And, in true Jenny fashion, the event came together with such ease, from our very first brainstorm all the way to the closing circle, where everyone left asking when they could practice with Jenny again.

Jenny has been a pillar of my yoga practice in both the physical and energetic sense of the word. Her knowledge and passion for yoga are not only infectious, but also continue to inspire me to deepen my own practice, as a yogi, and eventually as a teacher myself. Anyone who has the chance to cross paths with Jenny Chao, inside or outside of the yoga studio, is in for a rare and extraordinarily nourishing treat!”

- Jessica, Media and Marketing Consultant, Musician

Jessica is a collaborator for a special event, as well as an on-going group class student

“I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in January 2021 during the COVID pandemic. When I asked my doctor if there was anything I could do to hopefully slow down the progression of this disease, he named yoga as one of the things that could help my balance and mobility. My daughter immediately contacted Jenny and we began practice together over Zoom. I’m 71 years old and I have never experienced yoga. Working with Jenny has been enlightening. The results have been amazing. My balance and mobility have improved greatly and I’m able to do everyday tasks that had been difficult before the introduction of yoga into my life. Jenny started our standing and chair yoga sessions very slowly, teaching me breathing techniques and posture. When I look back at our recorded sessions, it shows the progress I have made. Jenny is patient and understanding. I look forward to seeing her smile and hearing her encouragement everyday. She has made me a believer in the benefits of yoga. Jenny is the best and most caring yoga instructor you will ever find.”

- Debbie, retired (former full-time Mother and Operations Manager, after her kids became adults)

Debbie is a private 1:1 yoga therapy client practicing virtually online

“Working with Jenny 1:1 online has been truly game-changing for my yoga practice and in supporting my goal to stay surf-fit while finding life balance away from the ocean with city living. She has a remarkable gift for tuning into where you are, body, mind, and heart to guide you in strengthening that connection and deepening your practice both on and off the mat.

Jenny is a wealth of knowledge who shares her expertise in an incredibly accessible way, meeting you exactly where you're at while always ready to dive deep to help you explore further. She genuinely cares about helping people unlock the powerful synergy of movement, meditation, therapy, and sound to support living your best life daily.

I've had the joy of experiencing her teaching through virtual sessions, in-person classes in NYC during visits, and especially through 1:1 yoga therapy. She breaks down concepts and cues in such a relatable way, really helping unlock both the how and the why. Jenny has taught me to activate the big muscles we easily neglect, build quiet strength, and have a richer practice.

I'm deeply grateful Zoom allowed me to enjoy the amazing benefits of yoga therapy with Jenny from across the pond. I cannot recommend this gem of a teacher highly enough!”

- Amy, Innovation Consultant

Amy is a private 1:1 yoga therapy client practicing virtually online and has attended public classes and workshops

“Having practiced yoga for more than 50 years with a variety of teachers - both individually and in classes,  I feel blessed  to work with Jenny Chao.  Her input and guidance have enhanced my yoga experience immeasurably.  Her positivity and steady encouragement imbue me with a sense of confidence and calm.  Jenny’s remarkable ability to tailor the sessions for me and my husband, who has Parkinson’s Disease, enables both of us to learn, advance, and enjoy the practice.  For anyone at any yoga level, I cannot imagine a more splendid guide.”

- Judith, retired (Author, Writer, Creator and former Teacher)

Judith and her husband are a private yoga therapy clients

“Jenny brings a soothing, yet buoyant, energy to her teaching that always leaves me smiling. Her thoughtful, intentional flows combine traditional yoga postures with her own creative and fun ways of getting you there. They’re truly one of a kind! She also observes her students’ practices closely and compassionately, and is quick to offer them words of encouragement and personalized suggestions for adjustments. She’s been an invaluable teacher for my yoga practice. Every week, I know I’ll leave her class feeling grounded and energized for whatever is next.” 

- Jonathan, Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Jonathan in a student who attends public group classes and workshops

“Jenny as a teacher embodies exactly who she is as a human - thoughtful, supportive, and deeply intentional. Stepping into her class feels like entering a space of steadiness and care, where you are encouraged to move at your own pace while being gently guided toward growth. She weaves together movement, mindfulness, and compassion in a way that brings balance not only to the body, but to the mind and heart as well. Each class feels like a reset, leaving you both grounded and uplifted, carrying her gentle presence with you long after you’ve left the mat.”

- Ronnie, Yoga Teacher and Freelance Stylist

Ronnie is a student who attends public group classes

“I adore Jenny’s classes! I love that I know I can truly show up however I happen to feel that day and have an insightful practice led by the best of the best. Jenny is so calming and communicative from the moment you enter the room to the very end, you are in a chill, welcoming space! Jenny has a gift, an expertise in teaching us new mudras and shapes, and inviting deeper levels of grounding, breathing & experiencing the moment. She holds space gently guiding the practice with connected intentionality. I look at Jenny’s classes as a place to sit in myself with loving acceptance; stretch & bend & flow in my awesome body, and also grow spiritually. I highly recommend her!”

- Sarah, Comedian

Sarah is a a student who attends public group classes

“As a yoga teacher myself, what I appreciate about Jenny’s approach to teaching is how she gives each of us permission to have our own experience. Her sequences are clear, creative and progressive with lots of choices. You can feel Jenny’s warmth and playfulness as well as her depth of knowledge. She creates a safe place to stay curious on the mat. I always feel great after her class!”

- Mindy, Donor Engagement Coordinator for Non-Profit Organization

Mindy is a collaborator and has attended public group classes

“I have been doing yoga for over 20 years and Jenny is truly one of the best teachers with whom I have ever practiced. Not only is she very wise and deeply spiritual, but Jenny radiates joy, enthusiasm and loving kindness always. She is a treasure.

- Ann, Director in Broadcast Media

Ann is a student who attends public classes (both in-person and virtually)