You don’t have to be a yogi or in great shape to benefit from working with me… all you need is a body and a mind! The work I do is intended to help you become less stiff and awkward and more easeful and efficient in how you move through your life. I want you to feel magnificent.
I was an early adopter of yoga therapy, which is designed to be responsive to individual needs. As an experienced yoga teacher and therapist, I have the tools to help the many different clients who come to my door. (And if you can’t come to my door, we can do a remote session!)
I started my career as a professional dancer and became a master dance teacher. I was curious about all that the body could do, and my intensive study of dance, Pilates, and Alexander Technique put me in tune with myself and gave me confidence in a whole new way. When I took my first yoga class, I loved that it had a universal quality, and I saw that yoga could quite literally benefit every body.
These days I offer yoga, yoga therapy, yoga focused core work and exercises to gently recover from an injury – virtually in my studio in the heart of Park Slope, Brooklyn. I also direct Beyond Brilliant, a selective team of yoga teachers who work with clients one-on-one and in the workplace.
P.S. That really is my last name. I didn’t make it up.
Certifications
* Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), International Association of Yoga Therapists
February 2017
* Therapeutic Yoga Teacher, Integrative Yoga Therapy
September 2014
* Yoga for Cancer (y4c), OM yoga Women Cancer Survivors
May 2012
* E-RYT 500 & YACEP, Yoga Alliance
2002
* Gold Certified Medical Exercise Specialist, American Council on Exercise
2000
Learn More
Yoga Teaching Experience
- Public, Private, Corporate and Group Classes
Ongoing since 1998 - Yoga Therapist
1989 – Present
Private Yoga Therapy sessions and group classes
Assist students privately using an eclectic combination of Pilates, Yoga, Traditional Exercise, Therapeutic Exercise, Alexander Technique, Meditation and Intensive Yoga Philosophy Study - MindfulNYU
Jan, 2023 – Present
Yoga Teacher - Presenter of Various Yoga Workshops
2002 – Present
Topics include Yoga & Scoliosis; Solutions for Tight or Injured Hamstrings; Yoga Stress Relief; Yoga for Happy, Healthy Veins - Bryant Park Outdoor Summer Yoga
2008 – 2012 - Prospect Park Outdoor Summer Yoga
2012 – 2015 - Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus
2006 – 2017
Adjunct Professor, Dance Department teaching Yoga - Sacred Sounds Studio
Jan – Mar 2020
Teacher Tuesdays - Yoga Shanti NYC
Jan – June 2015 - Maha Padma Yoga Temple
Oct, 2013
Taught Yoga Therapeutics module in the studio’s teacher training program. - OM Teacher Training, Midtown Yoga, Memphis TN
Sept 2000 – Mar 2016 - Long Island Yoga Association, Farmingdale, NY
Sept 2000 – Mar 2016 - Jaya Yoga Workshop for Teachers, Brooklyn NY
Jan 2001 - Jewish Board Brooklyn Care Management Services
Jan 2015 – Mar 2020
Yoga Therapist
Monthly class with the Women’s Group for Serious Mental Illness using Yoga Therapy tools to soothe the women in this community as they meet life’s challenges including recovery from surgery, loss of a loved one, fatigue, anxiety and tension. - Yoga for Cancer
Nov–Dec, 2015
Jennifer Brilliant Yoga
Teach ongoing class for Cancer Survivors using tools from Tari Prinster’s Y4C program
Yoga Therapy Education
- Outsmarting Osteoporosis with Threes Physiyoga
November, 2023 - Yoga for Healthy Bones with Dr. Baxter Bell
March, 2023 - Agony of “De-Feet”:Yoga for Cranky Feet with Leslie Howard
February, 2023 - Listening to Pain with Joseph Lavacca
June, 2022 - Bedside Yoga, End of Life Care with Molly Lannon Kenny
January, 2021 – March, 2021 - Trauma and Teaching Relationships with Theo Wildcroft
June, 2020 - Accessible Yoga Conference with Jivana Heyman
October, 2019 - Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training with Cyndi Lee
April, 2019 - Unconditional Yoga with Anneke Lucas
October, 2018 - Bodymind Ballwork with Ellen Saltonstall
Level 2 November, 2016
Level 1 July, 2004 - Integrated Movement Therapy with Molly Lannon Kenny
IMT for Teens, June ,2015
IMT for Children, May, 2012 - Anatomy Trains Modules
Anatomy Trains for Movement Therapists with Simone Lindner, February, 2015
Application of Myofacial Meridians to Movement with Tom Myers, March, 2008 - Mudra in Asana and Pranayama with Ramanand Patel
October, 2014 - Integrative Yoga Therapy
Module 2, August, 2014
Module 1, March, 2014 - Yoga and the Alexander Technique with Joan Arnold
June, 2013 - Yoga for Cancer with Tari Prinster
May, 2012 - Yoga and the Pelvic Floor with Jaki Nett
January, 2006 - Relax & Renew Restorative Training with Judith Lasater
Other Yoga Study
- Genny Kapuler
Ongoing Yoga studies, NY, NY 1998 – Present - Tom Meyrs
Fascial Dissection, Tempe, AZ, Febraury, 2017 - Glenn Black
Kriya Yoga Retreat, Les Granges, Switzerland, May, 2016
Asana, Kriya, Therapeutic Bodywork & Meditation, Rhinebeck, NY, May, 2009 - Yoga Studies Institute
Bhagavad Gita NY, NY November, 2009–January, 2012
Hatha Yoga Pradipika, NY, NY, February, 2006–November, 2008
Yoga Sutras, NY, NY, February, 2004–August, 2005 - Rodney Yee
Teacher Training, NY, NY October, 2000 & 2002, November, 2003, August, 2005, September, 2019
I am 80 years old and have always been scared off of yoga by pictures of people in tangled positions. But I was in pretty bad shape and a friend suggested I should try yoga as a supplement to physical therapy. So with trepidation, I met Jennifer. Over a span of several years, she guided me through various yoga poses aimed at strengthening my legs and balance. Her instruction helped me move from a walker to canes to light weight walking sticks and…more yoga. Thus I gained mobility which enables me to move about well enough, travel, and continue working. As for Jennifer, my progress at point is largely due to her kindness and support.”