Jessica Villarreal

When I was 8 years old I fell off three stories into a concrete loading dock. I was rushed to the hospital and they told me I was fine and sent me on my way. Nevertheless, I wasn't. I complained that my spine was sticking out when I was young and everyone just told me, "You're just skinny". In my high school and college years, I quickly realized I live in excruciating pain daily, with a swollen back and curved spine. I made a decision early on that I don't want to depend on heavy narcotics, and I wouldn't let anything stop me. I started to dance, and being the type A personality that I am, I wanted to improve fast and be one of the best. That consisted of intense stretching. I soon found that on the days I stretched I felt so much better. Later on, I went to take a dancer intensive workout class that built up muscles that dancers overuse- they brought a yoga/pilates instructor. After that hour long class, and looking around the room to see if anyone else was feeling what I felt, I left and touched my back. My spine was not only straight, but completely in. What just happened I thought? I went straight home and cried, and realized I could finally admit to myself that I live in crazy pain, but there could be a solution. I then became a yoga addict, and wanted to better my practice, so to become the best student I could possibly be, I decided to train to be a teacher. I never thought that this amazing journey would lead me to be an instructor, but I absolutely love it, and am so passionate about it! I love high energy intensive enviornments, and only hope to open others eyes to how create their bodies can look and feel on a regular basis!