This week’s yogi highlight (our 19th!) is Kristine Jenson. I first met Kristine during a fitness-and-wellness event and luckily she kept in touch with us. Her first purchase was the first print of our Divine Chakras design (serial #1!). We stayed connected over the following months, and eventually our discussions rolled around to her passion project: donating to Children’s Hospital of Minnesota to honor her niece, Devon, as a part of her business, Jenson Natural Jewelry. I then offered to design a yoga mat we ended up calling Devon’s Heart to represent and honor Devon, her family, and the great work being done by the experts at Children’s Hospital. Kristine is an amazing champion for others, and she’s a “connector” — a person who helps the rest of us make connections and find ways to provide value and support within our yoga community. She is a dedicated cheerleader, yoga teacher, mom, humanitarian, and all-around lover of the planet. This project has been one of the most rewarding aspects of owning my business: the opportunities to collaborate and make our tiny little corner of the world better for everyone. Kristine teaches both independently and at Yoga Fresh in Woodbury, Minnesota. She’s awesome and we love her!
— Joleen
QTell us a little bit about yourself…
AI am a life-long Minnesotan. I have loved nature my whole life and have been fortunate enough to have multiple careers working in and with nature. My favorite place to connect with nature is on the North Shore of Lake Superior. I am a mom of 2 gorgeous young women and a surrogate mom to many others in this world. My nurturing spirit is very strong and I love being able to just be there for others and comfort them. I have been a yoga teacher for almost 3 years and love being able to use my nurturing and supportive qualities to guide others in class.
QWhat kind of asanas do you practice?
AI specifically love a more gentle, conscientious type of flow in my practice. I like taking my time and really settling into postures and allowing for a deep inner connection to both the body and the spirit.
QHow long have you been a yogi?
AI’ve been practicing for about 25 years but only started teaching about 3 years ago.
QWhat role does yoga play in your life?
AA consistent yoga and meditation practice keeps me grounded and has allowed me to be the type of person who feels immense gratitude for everything in life. It allows me to be a more connected mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend to others.
QDo you have a favorite pose?
AThat’s so tough! I don’t think I can pick a FAVORITE pose but one that I personally love is a wide angle forward fold and transitioning into a wide angle downward dog. It feels so good on my back.
QHave you ever had a “yoga moment”, something that happened during practice that you didn’t expect? That made you laugh, brought you joy, made you cry?
AI have definitely had moments where I have felt my emotions release with some tears. But most of the time, my yoga practice brings forth a calming balance to my emotions.
QIs there a pose that used to be a “pillar pose” — one that you were working toward — that is now accessible to you?
AAny inversions that require my feet to come off the ground has been a challenge for me. However, a consistent practice has helped overcome my fear of hurting myself and I am able to come into crow pose when I want.
QWhen you placed your order with Big Raven Yoga, what made you first choose Divine Chakras? (Note: Kristine owns both Divine Chakras AND Devon’s Heart.)
AMy teaching and yoga practice is centered around healing and opening our energy bodies or chakras. So when I saw the mat of the woman sitting and the chakras running up her body, I knew I needed to have it.
QDo you have your eyes fixed on any other Big Raven designs? If so, which one(s) and why?
AI also purchased the Devon’s Heart mat that Joleen and Karla designed for me/us because it is GORGEOUS and also because it is honoring my beloved niece’s legacy. Big Raven Yoga designed the mat and is donating part of each sale to the fund my family set up at Children’s Hospital of Minnesota in memory of Devon.
QDo people ask you about your mat?
AYes! I get asked all the time and love to rave about you and Big Raven!
Thank you SO much, Kristine — you’re incredibly kind and absolutely amazing!
(You can follow Kristine on Instagram and Facebook. Also check out her jewelry on Instagram!)
