Meet Jen Smith of Retreat Yourself Well in Playa Vista

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Smith.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Sensitive. Over-emotional. Dramatic. Open. A girl’s girl. Hopeless Romantic. These are the words that I have heard people use when describing me over the years. I even had a friend turn to me at a game of poker and ask, “have you investigated whether you are manic depressive?”. This was when I was describing my latest break up with a verbally abusive boyfriend. Ahhh….good times.

Then, I took a yoga class. It was 1996. I went with an intention to heal, yet again, another broken heart. I had even asked if the studio had a class for broken hearts, and the man checking people in simply said, “Go on in. Put your mat down. You belong here.”

At first it brought sensations of the 7 years that I took gymnastics as a child. Expanding my arms, folding at my hips, lifting my heart, dropping my shoulders, all on a mat that felt like a smooth tire under my feet. The class gave me a sense of accomplishment and I drove home through Topanga Canyon with a faint whispering sense of……contentment?? Could this be?

Months went by and so did over 100 more classes. I remember turning to a friend at one point saying, “don’t ever let me stop doing this…remind me that I am telling you now that I have never felt better in my life”. Even with this vivid memory in my head, the years that followed found me falling in and out of love with yoga. The reason? distraction, more heartache, frustration.

In 2000, I took a Teacher Training. Powerful, transformative, full of heart. A beautiful time in my life. I even started teaching for $25 a class at a tiny upstairs gym at 7am, twice a week.

Confidence and contentment started to fill my toes at first, then slowly began to fill my body. Each student that I witnessed healing, was a healing for me. Together we were becoming a community that felt solid about the day we were starting.

It revealed something to me. Through my entire conscious life, starting early in my childhood years, I have valued and sought connection. True connection with the people around me and their spirits living inside.

From this point on, I was a devoted career healer. Dedicated on every level. Socially, spiritually, intellectually, physically. I no longer had interest or use for careless conversations or cruel intentions. I was here to make the world a better place than when I found it. I could do this through my love. The love that I was born with but wasn’t living by until yoga reminded me who I was. Who I will always be.

Sounds pretty, right? A good idea. But how does it work? For me, it works like this.

I try to be as open and honest as I can in my dealings.

When given the choice to talk myself up or graciously give someone the floor, I choose grace.

I want to connect with my friends’ woes rather than like I have some advice to dispense.

I guess the idea for me is to make someone feel understood when they are around me rather than depleted, numb or sad. It takes a lot more self clarity than you would think, and I am a work in progress. It’s not an act, this is who I am at my deepest, most all-knowing self.

What has come very naturally as I practice personal grace is a sense of harmony amongst the people in my life. I don’t sense it every moment of every day, but the big picture always feels this way.

The words that people have used to describe me lately as I see them?

“You have a glow”
“You don’t play games”
“I know I can speak to you without judgement”

……the labels are fading away and the spirit continues to emerge.

Namaste.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Generally, the road has been somewhat smooth as this industry has grown so much. The hurdles along the way have had more to do with my discipline of working out of my home and making sure I am seen through this massive world of social media. You start to wonder, “how much can I promote without becoming an annoyance?” and “How much money is too much for promotion?” “How do I invest wisely for online marketing?” I have made huge investments that didn’t pan out (a half page ad in one of the largest yoga magazines around), and then some that have surprised me (an interview series that I produced called “Inside the Yoga Studio” which brought a huge audience that I didn’t expect).

I often tell people that growing your business is like raising a baby. You don’t know what to expect until you are doing it, because every business is different.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Retreat Yourself Well – what should we know?
After booking yoga retreats, workshops, events and teacher trainings in Los Angeles for many years through exhale and YogaWorks, I found as I traveled the world that people were always asking my advice on the right events to invest in.

Since my first priority was to consider the person asking and what I truly felt that they would find beneficial, I realized that this guidance could be a valuable resource.

I take this advice I give very seriously. I set out to be selective about what events are posted on retreatyourselfwell.com. Think of getting shopping advice from your most fashionable friend. I want a place where yogis can trust every single product they see. Teachers, location, curriculum, schedule, etc. These thoughts can be so overwhelming with so much going on throughout the wellness industry.

Since I started my wellness career in 1995 as a massage therapist, then a Yoga Teacher, Event Planner, and then Group Fitness Manager, I feel I had been lucky enough to watch the industry expand. It has given me a keen eye for what events are planned well and which of these events are right for each of my client’s individual needs. The money and time someone spends on these plans is very sacred and deserves to be the most fulfilling experience. This is my goal for each person.

It’s authentic wellness event planning with the best professionals in the business. I make sure of that.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The quality that helps my business thrive is research. I do it. If an event is on my site it’s because I have taken classes and or studied with the event host, I have been to, or developed a relationship with the location. I have received the details of the schedule and see value in it.

These events are not just plastered on a website. They are well thought out and fully researched. Without the research, this would just be some garden variety event page. I assure you, it is not.

Contact Info:

• Address: 12751 Millennium, Playa Vista, CA 90094
• Website: retreatyourselfwell.com
• Phone: 310-650-7228
• Email: [email protected]

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.