Meet Andrea Jensen | Private Yoga Instructor and Teacher Trainer

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

Hi Andrea, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I first started teaching yoga, there was no balance in my career whatsoever (kinda funny considering what my job is). I did my teacher training in a very “Eat Pray Love” way, where I quit my job, left my relationship, moved out of my house, put everything into storage, and went to India. I came home without a job, but knew I wanted to teach yoga full time.
So the hustle began. I took every teaching job I could, and would bartend private parties on the weekend to make ends meet. I didn’t take a day off for the first few years. Now, I make sure to take at least one day off a week. I use that day to recharge, to do the things that bring me joy, and to fill myself back up. This way, I have enough to give to my clients. It’s hard to hold space for people when you don’t hold space for yourself.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Even before my yoga teacher training, I knew that I wanted to work one-on-one with clients. I find a deeper connection that way, and for me, connection is one of the most important parts of being a teacher. Working with private clients was tough in the beginning because I wasn’t making much. I was just paying my bills for the first few years and felt like I was really struggling. I knew it was temporary and continued to learn during my free time, so I always had something new to offer.
It took me about 4 years to really grow my private client base, and most was word of mouth. My very first client, Abra, has been one of my biggest cheerleaders during my career. I’ve taught both her daughters, her son-in-laws, her grandkids, her husband… the list goes on and on. She created a web of really caring, beautiful people that I couldn’t be more grateful for.
I’ve learned to give with everything you have. Be authentic because people can tell. If your are true to who you are and honestly CARE about the people you work with, that will show.
I would go out on a limb for almost all of my clients. They become friends, I meet their families, I go on vacations with them. It’s not just business. I truly care about these people and that creates longevity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oooh! This is a great question. First we would do some yoga (obviously). I love YogaVibe in Los Feliz and Kinship in Highland Park. Both studios have really incredible teachers.
I’d probably also drag them on a hike up to the Observatory and on a walk around the Silverlake Reservoir.
Drinks at Mohawk Bend in Silverlake, beer at Angel City downtown and Block Party in Highland Park.
I love video games – so a night at EightyTwo where we could drink, dance, and play competitive pinball and Tetris.
Ramen at Silverlake Ramen, noodles at Joy in Highland Park, tacos at Loqui downtown, and dessert at The Alcove in Los Feliz
I’d probably also drag them to a show at The Echo and a night of dancing at Los Globos.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Amy and Larry Santiago, the owners of YogaVibe in Los Feliz. Larry mentored me when I finished my training in India and they gave me my first real yoga class! I wouldn’t be where I am today without their help.

Website: AndreaJensenYoga.com

Instagram: AndreaJensenYoga

Other: Online Library – TheYogaCollective.com Teacher Training – YogaEastWest.com