Jen Xanders

My journey crossed the path of yoga around 1995 as I looked to

create a healthier lifestyle, as my Type A approach to life was

wearing me out quickly. It has been an ever evolving and changing

experience that has deepened and enriched all aspects of my life. I

began the practice of yoga to get stronger, and somewhere along the

way realized yoga can heal not only the body but also settle the mind.

It has changed and enriched every aspect of my life and

relationships. I find this practice to be a metaphor for life that helps us

hone the tools that we need to not just survive our hectic lives but to

live them and love them!

As a teacher, I look to encourage students to reconnect with their

bodies and intuition; helping them realize how powerful, loving and

happy they are beneath all the junk they don’t need. My teaching

style is physically challenging and a compilation of every teacher and

student I have had the joy of practicing and studying with. Expect to

sweat, smile and let go of the outside world.

Special interests of mine, include neuroscience and the overlap of

yogic practices, philosophy of yoga, and modern & medical overlaps

of breath work.

I am honored to have created and run the Flourish Yoga and

Wellbeing 200 RYT each fall. It is a joy to help grow my yoga home

and community. In 2022, I put together a team and got our first

300RYT off the ground.

In 2023, I began traveling and teaching yoga retreats with my Co-

Partner, Jen Handley and we created Wild Spirit Yoga Retreats to

help expand yoga offerings to beautiful and magical locations.

And in June 2024, Jen H and I expanded our partnership to become

the new owners of Flourish Yoga and Wellbeing. We are honored to

hold space for people to experience all the gifts that yoga provides.

It is a special place that we are excited to support as it continues to

flourish.

When not teaching or practicing yoga, you will find me spending time

with husband, Mike, and our twin 20 year-old girls, Sophie and

Amelia. In my free time (ha) you may find me, hiking, lifting, climbing

a mountain, traveling, catching live music, doing yoga on my

paddleboard, working in my garden, or cooking.

Peace.

Co-Owner, Flourish Yoga and Wellbeing

Co-Owner, Wild Spirit Yoga Retreats

RYT since 2007, ERYT 500 since April 2018, and Yoga

Alliance YACEP provider for continued ed.

Lululemon Ambassador since 2012

200 hr training from All People Yoga

300hr training from Asheville Yoga Center

Prior to teaching yoga, I attended university studying pharmacology and

business. I graduated with a business degree, that put me into the

pharmaceutical industry for 10 years. I am a science minded skeptic by nature.

And once yoga took me in, I was captivated with how and the why it works. This

is has led me down the path of all the ways that modern neuroscience and

medical knowledge show the power of a true yoga practiced steeped in the 8

limbs. I am humbled and honored to be able to share the gifts of yoga and

blessed to hold space for others to find healing.