We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Forbes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I think the most important factor behind my success is seeing every individual as a unique being that has their own specific needs. Private yoga is special because it allows me to design a practice based on your specific body, mind, and wellness needs. I work a lot with people who have injuries, chronic pain, or structural issues which often get glossed over in group classes. In private sessions, there’s no glossing over imbalances that need to be addressed in order to heal and feel whole again.

I can’t tell you how many of my students who started out as beginners were intimated by yoga and 3 months later they tell me they can’t imagine their lives without it because of the transformation effect it’s had on their mind, body, and soul, and ultimately their lives. That’s the thing I think a lot people miss about yoga. It’s not just the body that needs attention – the mind and soul need tending just as much. Combining these is an integral part of my practice.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I get most excited when I see someone transform their relationship to themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually. It gives me great joy to help others find a deeper sense of self love and self compassion through their yoga practice. I struggled a lot on my own healing journey before finding a place of peace and contentment so it’s become my mission to help others do the same. We are all trying to get somewhere, but if we can learn to love ourselves along the way it makes the journey so much more fulfilling.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh I love this question! I would take them for a morning hike over in Topanga Canyon, then lunch at Chulita on Rose Ave in Venice before riding bikes along the beach path in Santa Monica towards Will Rogers State Beach. I’d watch the sunset at the beach before heading to The Tasting Kitchen for dinner on Abbott Kinney. Some other must eat places are Cafe Gratitude on Rose Ave, Pressed for juices, Kreation for smoothies, Ghisallo for pizza on Ocean Park Blvd, and Jyan Isaac for the best sourdough bread in LA.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to shout out to Liberation Yoga who cultivated a rich and deep learning environment for me.

Website: www.privateyogasantamonica.com

Instagram: privateyogasantamonica

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/private-yoga-santa-monica-santa-monica

Image Credits
Ryan Hebert Angela Pham

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