Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaina Two Rivers
Jaina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was a competitive swimmer for first 20 years of my life. I swim in college, I swim club, I trained for many hours a day…practices a day before school, and after school, so I was very much an athlete. I found that in the spring of my junior year of college I wanted to do something different. I had started meeting people that were involved in yoga, so that was kind of my first introduction. I moved to Hawaii and ended up learning about meditation and Bhakti practices of devotion. The Hari Krishna temple that was there and was really attracted to that kind of diving into spirituality learning about science and Buddhist and Hindu philosophy.
After a few years I moved back to Minneapolis and began offering classes at this place called The Well. I didn’t have any formal training, but I just wanted to start sharing what I had learned in Hawaii so I was sharing movement practice including chanting and meditation. It was a communal healing space with a lot of different practitioners doing psychology and acupuncture and bodywork and so I just brought that into the mix. I eventually went on to train with masters all over the country, including an incredible initial 200 hour training with Doug Swenson in Lake Tahoe. Between 2001 and 2011 I went on to open formal yoga studios in Minneapolis, North Carolina, and Costa Rica. During this entire stretch of 9 years I was a Raw Foodist and didn’t eat any cooked food.
I do think that my experience as a competitive professional athlete definitely has informed my style of yoga that I practice. I really enjoy a vigorous vinyasa but as I’m aging now I’m in my mid 40s I found that slowing down with the yin practice has been really beautiful.
The birth of my 4 children, was a milestone and keystone in my development and in my own personal consciousness and therapeutic practices. The exploration of consciousness through pregnancy, birthing, and raising children is profound. I find that my children have been my greatest teachers and the process of bringing them earth side has been one of the greatest learning experiences in my life.
The last piece I want to share here is my experience as a therapeutic massage therapist, and craniosacral therapist since 2002. In the last 7 years I have been doing a lot of teaching massage techniques and it is one of my favorite skills to share.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been many challenges along the way as I’m sure any human would say about their life… The most profound being the death of my son. It was really hard to get through, hard to get through losing a child like that, and it was my first child so lots of dreams and expectations for what life was gonna be like and then to have a dead baby is like a horror movie.
But because of that trauma, I was given a choice either to die of sorrow, or transcend. I dove deeply into mindfulness practices like yoga, healthy eating, and wellness practices. This self-care also redirected my intention to service of others. The Sanskrit: Loka Samasta Sukino Bhavantu (May All Beings Be Happy and Free) hs been a guiding light.
This feeling of service has been a guiding force in my teaching and my movement through the world. I ask- “How can my wellness practices serve the people around me? How can my life be a gift to uplift other people?” It’s as simple as just smiling and bringing joy and optimism into spaces. This has been a yoga practice for me.
As far as being entrepreneurial business woman, I did start a Yoga Retreat business (Beloved Retreats) amongst other businesses, but that one in particular was a venture all on my own and I’m happy to say that in the last 10 years, I’ve brought students to 18 different countries and touched every continent. Each retreat has an educational component, including modules for teacher training and Pilgrimages to sacred sites around the world. We’ve been to Machu Picchu and the Egyptian pyramids and the temples in India. I love to travel and the only challenge has been balancing work with parenting my 6 children. It’s hard to be away for long periods of time.
I spent a good part of my professional life, running a hometown yoga studio in Minneapolis (Radiant Life Yoga), and in 2017 it was very violently ripped away from me, when my then-business partner and ex-husband was pushed me out of the business as our marriage began to fall apart. He was having sexual relationships with our students at the studio. During the years of sorting out the divorce he pushed me out of ownership without any severance or negotiations. I survived so much abuse during this time. I had run that studio for a good eight years and had to eventually just walk away for my own safety and mental wellness.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I run a Yoga Retreat business. I take students on beautifully culturally immersive experiences all over the globe. Each retreat is consciously hand-crafted that not only allows for focused yoga study, but also time to savor the tastes, sights, sounds, and adventures of each new foreign land. Whether it’s becoming a certified yoga instructor, learning massage therapy, or just soaking in the beauty of a foreign land on retreat, these experiences will change your life. On retreats we delve into yoga study, wellness, and philosophy. Retreats that are more than just a vacation. Explorations that take you to spectacular vistas, and deep sweet rest.
My retreats are known for visits to off the beaten track locations, full cultural immersion, and spiritual experiences. We choose local, experienced guides for our group for an authentic experience. We share customs, language, cuisine, with humility and respect with locals. Each day is started and ended with a grounding and dynamic yoga class. We strive to give back to the communities we visit thorough cultural exchange, and volunteer opportunities. All of this along with ample free quiet time to charge and restore.
Options for 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training certification, Massage Therapy, and Continuing Education credits through Yoga Alliance. Each retreat has an options for hours towards a training module. Some of the locations we have retreated: India, Maldives, Thailand, Bali, Egypt, Morocco, Greece, France, Portugal, Hawaii, Mexico, Peru, Dominica, Costa Rica, Italy.
I am also the Co-Executive Director of the non-profit Peace In Practice. We bring yoga, meditation, and wellness to Black and Brown folks in the twin cities including yoga teacher training, community partnerships, and yoga for kids and youth through the Minneapolis high schools.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Lakshmi immediately comes to mind. She is the Hindu goddess of all things beautiful. Think elephants, lotus flowers, gold coins, beautiful weather, luscious fabrics, flower adornments, fashion, water, clouds, temples, and good luck. She’s all about finding absolute joy and gratitude in the little things, the little delights… and seeking out as many delights you could find throughout the day. The idea is simple: The more you delight in, the happier you are. The better the day.
I feel like Lakshmi’s energy is about making your whole life luxurious, no matter what’s happening, no matter what challenges arise. You can find luxury and beauty in everything… moment by moment. Nature, dancing, swimming, sunshine, gardens, the pollinators, the bees.
Most of all my family makes me happy. My husband is incredible. My mom and Dad are so supportive. My children are angels.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.belovedretreats.com
- Instagram: @belovedretreats
- Facebook: Peace In Practice
- Other: https://www.peaceinpracticemn.org
