You don’t have to be perfect to step into a yoga class. For Jen Whinnen, learning to believe that changed far more than her practice.
In this episode of Hello, Friends, I sit down with Jen, founder of Three Sisters Yoga in New York City and the teacher who led my first 200-hour training. My own teaching—and the beginnings of Daily Flow Yoga—grew from that experience.
Jen’s story starts with a lunchtime class at Nike and a knee injury. Over time, yoga became a place where she could move through grief, let go of the pressure to perform, and see herself differently.
We talk about the students who reshaped her understanding of belonging, the importance of keeping your own voice and agency, and why you can begin before you feel confident. Jen also shares the garden metaphor behind Three Sisters Yoga: different plants supporting one another while remaining themselves.
Episode chapters
00:00 Meet Jen Whinnen
01:19 A lunchtime yoga class at Nike
03:41 Grief, perfectionism, and showing up
06:59 A full life without touching your toes
09:56 Why become a yoga teacher?
12:12 What students have taught Jen
15:02 How Daily Flow began
16:04 Helping students find their voice
18:07 Creating Three Sisters Yoga
19:32 The garden behind the name
21:37 Rethinking chair yoga
22:28 Beginning before you feel confident
24:08 Keeping your agency
24:35 Stay connected
Learn more about Three Sisters Yoga: https://www.threesistersyoga.com/
Explore more episodes or suggest a guest: https://dailyflow.yoga/hello-friends-podcast
If this conversation brings someone to mind, share it with them. I’d love to hear how your own practice has surprised you.
Music: “Cinematic Fairy Tale Story” by Zakhar Valaha Music
https://patreon.com/ZVM