As we prepare for our June 2023 release of our print issue themed LOVE, we reached out to our amazing community to share with us a few thoughts on love. Our second feature celebrates Joclyn, owner of Willow Soul Yoga in Otsego, MN. Joclyn began her yoga journey almost 10 years ago when she was guided to try yoga for the first time during her pregnancy with her first child. Joclyn lives close to the community with her husband Ryan, daughter Willow, son Dash and their dog Luna. She is beyond excited to connect and bring yoga to Otsego, MN and surrounding communities. Thank you Joclyn for supporting Yoga Love Magazine and sharing your thoughts on LOVE. 

Share with us what you love about what you do:
I love being a yoga teacher and a yoga studio owner because I get to share something so incredibly special to me, with the world, the power of yoga. When I started my yoga practice, the physical practice was immediately powerful for me. You know when something happens to you and you have chills all over your body, the GOOD chills? Yes, this is what yoga did for me. I like to think of it as the path of least resistance, when the inner knowing of a passion hits you with the most powerful force. As I continued my yoga path, I learned yoga is so much more than a physical practice. Yoga is a heart connection, it is a mind body connection, it is a path to a better place on the inside, it is inner peace, and it is life work.

I love sharing yoga in a way to embrace people to feel within their own body, and to nurture what is right for them. To help people achieve self-empowerment, growth, and their own inner guidance to the path back home to themselves. I love creating a safe space where people can begin and/or grow their own yoga practice. It means the world to me!

Share with us what you have learned about LOVE:
When I had my first child, Willow, I was reminded of what love really is. I have always had a big nurturing heart, and I have loved so many, but when she was born, I was reminded of how we all come into this world so innocent, without judgment, so pure. When I instantly had this heart connection with my daughter everything changed for me. Love is everything. If we could just do our best to focus on unconditional love and take more time to spread this love and kindness into the world and to ourselves everything would function with more grace and ease. I like to share the practice of taking a moment each day to connect with your heart space. Close your eyes and think of someone or a pet that you have unconditional love for. Feel that deep pit of love in your heart, feel the smile within, feel the peace they bring. Breathe it all in, and then reflect that love right back at yourself, because YOU deserve it. Meet yourself where you are today, see yourself as that innocent little baby, check yourself when you start to judge others, always come back to that strong feeling of unconditional love in your heart.

Learn more: willowsoulyoga.com