Get Zen With Jen

03/13/2026

03/12/2026

Yoga, Pilates & Planes ✈️ ❤️

02/27/2026

Recovery activates the parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest” mode), balancing out the “fight or flight” response that dominates during stress and intense activity.

Chronic stress without recovery leads to fatigue, irritability, and reduced motivation. Strategic rest keeps you sustainable long-term… 😊

Consistent rest leads to:

Greater strength and endurance gains. Improved immune function.
More consistent energy.
Better longevity in sports and life.

02/24/2026

She’s a queen but beneath her crown there’s always a touch of gangster and a hint of psycho. Don’t test her. 🔥

02/05/2026

Exercise and rehabilitation interventions have shown to clearly benefit cancer survivors by improving outcomes, response, and tolerability to treatments, delaying progression, and preventing the development of new primary cancer (Neumann et al., 2025).

Neumann, M. F., Maltser, S., Akerman, M., Khanijo, S., Scanlon, J., & Seetharamu, N. (2025). Virtual personalized exercise program for subjects with lung cancer: A feasibility study. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 43(16_suppl)

02/02/2026

When organic plant materials are burned, the resulting smoke contains a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including essential oils, terpenes, and other bioactive chemical constituents produced during thermal degradation of plant tissues.

These VOCs such as monoterpenes and other aromatic molecules may exhibit antimicrobial properties in vitro, meaning they are capable of interfering with bacterial cells or inhibiting microbial growth.

Nautiyal, C. S., Chauhan, P. S., & Nene, Y. L. (2007). Medicinal smoke reduces airborne bacteria. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 114(3), 446–451. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2007.08.038

01/25/2026

Today was the toughest one yet. Why? Is it because it’s right after the holidays? Is it because I’m not really training as well as I did for the first time?

When your lungs are on fire and your legs are begging you to stop, that’s when the real work begins. 🧠

Every sled push, every wall ball, every run strips away the ego and exposes the mindset. You don’t finish HYROX because you’re talented …you finish because you’re relentless.

This isn’t just a race.
It’s a personality check.
And strength is only the entry fee.

01/23/2026

Gentle, rhythmic touch stimulates cutaneous mechanoreceptors, sending sensory signals up the spinal cord to the brain, which can heighten body awareness (interoception) and improve sensory integration. 🖐🏽

The predictable rhythm may cue the parasympathetic nervous system, helping shift the body toward a calmer, regulated state such as slower breathing, reduced muscle tension, and steadier attention. 💙

Research on touch and somatosensory input also suggests benefits for focus and emotional regulation by anchoring awareness in the present moment. 💚

So, soft taps, smart science…using the nervous system’s own wiring to support calm, clarity, and connection. 💚

01/21/2026

Here’s why gentle massage there can feel so calming…

Vagus nerve = calm-and-restore mode. 🧠

The vagus nerve is the main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls “rest, digest, and relax.” When it’s stimulated, it helps slow the heart rate, deepen breathing, and reduce stress signals.

Auricular branch near the ear. 👂

A small branch of the vagus nerve (called the auricular branch) runs near the outer ear and just behind it. Gentle touch, rubbing, or pressure in this area can send soothing signals through that pathway.

Touch + slow movement signals safety. 💚

Slow, rhythmic massage tells the brain that the body is safe. This shifts the nervous system away from fight-or-flight and toward relaxation.

Breath amplifies the effect. 🌬️

When you combine the massage with slow breathing—especially longer exhales—it further activates the vagus nerve, strengthening the calming response.

Mind–body connection. 💫

The act of intentional self-touch also reduces muscle tension in the neck and jaw, areas that commonly hold stress, reinforcing the nervous system’s sense of ease.

That’s why even a minute or two of gentle massage behind the ear can feel grounding, soothing, and emotionally settling. It’s not forcing the body to relax…it’s inviting it to do what it’s naturally designed to do. ❤️

01/17/2026

“Yoga for Athletic Recovery is the perfect way to gently stretch sore muscles. Jen is an attentive teacher who tailors the class to fit people's needs as they arise. This is the perfect way to start a Sunday morning!”
- Cindy

Register 👇🏼

https://app.arketa.co/getzenwithjen/checkout/3q5Rxzjc5kSjjaTbeBPG

01/12/2026

Try it for yourself!

Acupressure at the base of the skull helps relax the body by:

Activating relaxation pathways in the nervous system.

Releasing neck and head tension.

Enhancing circulation.

Providing calming sensory input.

01/10/2026

Over two decades & still going strong. 💪🏼