with addiction and she said yes when I asked to offer a Refuge Recovery-
based yoga class at ODD.
Creativity and Community at One Down Dog
Jessica and the entire team are conscientious about creating an open and
supportive environment through One Down Dog’s open, fun, playful and
nourishing atmosphere. It’s a studio where people connect and practice
together without judgment or fear of not fitting in. She says, “The yoga
world can feel intimidating and very limited.”
Jessica says, “We are a yoga studio, but more than that, we are like
Cheers! where ‘everybody knows your name.’ More than that, I want
to know what do you do for a living, what brings you joy, how can we
help you? There is a sense of belonging [at ODD] and people need that.
I need that.”
The Juggling Act of Family, Practice, and Business
Jessica says running a studio “boils down to asking for help and delegat-
ing.” At ODD, Jessica’s surrounded herself by a phenomenal crew and she
is adamant about taking care of them. Her persistence and rebel soul is part
of what fuels this connection in the studio and at home, where the founda-
tion of her family life is collaboration, joint effort, and equity.
Fitting in Personal Practice
Teaching and running a group of studios make personal practice even
more of a necessity. Jessica is honest about her challenge for maintain-
ing the time for a personal practice with raising her son, Max. Yet life
with a toddler can bring unexpected gifts—and a few realizations. For
example, a current read Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern
Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right offers lessons on
how to not get in the way of your...crap.
Prioritizing self-care is one of these lessons; Jessica’s journaling prac-
tice helps her uncover ideas she uses to adjust her practice based on her
daily needs. Practice can include journaling in bed, a daily gratitude list,
regular sessions with a personal trainer (for scheduling and accountabil-
ity), as well as time on the mat—especially on Thursdays, her long day
at ODD. Sometimes Max joins in. His favorite: Chanting “Om.” In ad-
dition to the ongoing practices, she schedules one day a month for self-
care when she makes a point to be outside in nature with trees, dirt, and
sunshine: it’s her medicine. She also makes it a point to learn and grow,
integrating her commitments to business and yoga.Inspiration, One Down Dog at a Time
Jessica keeps herself on the studio’s schedule. It is one of the many ways
she connects to the ODD community and it’s an ongoing source of inspi-
ration. She loves hearing people share their experiences, their ah-ha mo-
ments, and their trials and tribulations. Jessica is uplifted by her crew; her
staff, teachers, family, and friends. ODD is a home, a place to go to when
things are going well and when things have gone awry. “Community is
why it works. People come together and are willing to be vulnerable.
That willingness, that’s IT. Essentially, that’s love.”For more information about Jessica Rosen and the growing One Dog Dog
community, visit: onedowndog.com. Jessica would love to see your ODD
dogs, so send a pic to her at [email protected].
Clothing by Soybu (selected photos). For more information, visit: soybu.com
Sarit Rogers is a photographer, yoga teacher, writer, and founder of the
LoveMore Movement, who is training to be a Somatic Experiencing™
Practitioner. She is also a contributor in the new anthology Yoga Rising, by
Melanie Klein: saritphotography.com. saritzrogers.com