ODDlight Teacher Feature: Jessica Rosen

Without Jessica Rosen, One Down Dog wouldn't exist, and there would be a cavernous void in the Los Angeles yoga world, leaving behind so many of us who never felt a sense of belonging in the 2013 landscape of Insta-perfection. With a background in clinical psychology – focusing on adolescent and substance abuse treatment – and hunger for continuing education, Jessica wove yoga training into a career path that eventually changed course and manifested itself as a dream to open a yoga studio / wellness center focused on community and connection. That dream became a reality, and you can feel the Jessica-ness throughout the studio, from its Detroit vibes – her hometown – to its team and students. We've all got a seat at her table, and we're encouraged to bring our best dishes each and every day! (Truly the best metaphor for this community if you know how much of a foodie our ODDmama is)

Dedicated to sharing yoga, cultivating connection, and "always doing the next right thing," Jessica has also put One Down Dog at the forefront of altruism and social change. For example, she was one of the first people to donate to Miry's List back in 2016 – helping to enable the vision of a friend, neighbor, and ODD student, Miry, who sought to assist refugees with the difficult process of resettlement in the United States. Needed now more than ever, Jessica continues to lead this charge with an annual fundraising FLOW for Miry's List, this year hosted at our Eagle Rock studio at 10am on Christmas Day, and led by Jessica herself!

What are your "Big 3?" 

Scorpio sun Aquarius moon  Taurus rising

Five words to describe yourself?

Loud, adventurous, determined, loyal, hard-working

What's an ODD fact about you?

My first dog, Patrick Bateman, is THE One Down Dog. He passed away in 2021 and I now have another mini-schnauzer named Steve Yzerman.

One thing you're working on in your practice right now?

Showing up

Where are you when you're not on the mat?

On my computer running this business lol, but also being a mom, walking my dog, lifting weights, seeing live music, hanging with friends, eating delicious food.

What's your fave food or restaurant?

I am a huge foodie so this is impossible to respond to. I love sushi, Hama is my fav.

Something or someone that inspires you?

Women in business.

What initially inspired you to become a yoga instructor?

"Long story short, working in a rehab. Short story long, while I was in my MA program studying psychology, my parents got me to take a yoga class, and I loved it. For graduation, I was gifted yoga teacher training, which I thought was going to be an add-on to my work as a therapist. I applied to work at a rehab and they saw yoga on my resume and asked if I would teach yoga there. I had no intention of ever teaching, in fact public speaking was (and sometimes still is) terrifying to me, but I said yes because I really wanted to work there. It turned out that I loved teaching yoga more than working as a therapist. The impact I saw in the clients I worked with was magical. Yoga has changed my life in massive ways, and I wanted to share that with others. I've worked in every position there is at various yoga studios and after not finding what I was looking for in my neighborhood, I decided to open my own. While I love teaching, my favorite part is creating and nurturing community.

Fun fact: the name One Down Dog comes from my work in recovery centers. One Down Dog at a time... (also, I've always secretly wanted to be a dj, so getting to make playlists brings me a lot of joy)"

Where are you inviting play into your practice/day to day?

Lots of singing and dancing.

If a student takes home ONE lesson from your class, what do you hope it is?

I'm not teaching right now, but if I was it would be to find ease within the effort, have fun and not take shit so seriously... none of us are getting out alive.

What song/album/playlist do you have on repeat right now?

I'm going to see Saves the Day, Pharcyde, and Digable planets this month, so all of their albums :) You can also find a lot of my favs in our feeling-focused ODDtunes playlist on Spotify.

One affirmation you always come back to?

It's ok to not be ok. I love you, keep going.

How are you feeling good these days?

Music, dancing, eating yummy food,

How do you incorporate karma yoga into your practice?

Always doing the next right thing.