Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeny Dawson.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As the founder of Zen Soul Balance in La Jolla, California, my heart is to inspire others to live healthy lives by encouraging them to reach beyond nutrition and exercise and to consider the whole person – a lifestyle that acknowledges and embraces the unity of body, mind, and spirit as the catalyst for optimal health and wellness.
Profoundly influenced by my younger sister, Olivia, and her struggle with cerebral palsy, ZSB was birthed as a means of caring for people from all walks of life, who desperately want to live above physical and mental dis-ease, but don’t know where to begin or what to do. I believe that every individual possesses the ability to heal themselves from within and be resilient in the face of life’s toughest challenges.
My journey of health and wellness started over 20 years ago as an employee at World Gym in Beaumont, Texas. Several years later, I discovered the practice of yoga and have since continued down the yogic path. When I first started practicing, I was unsure about it and to be completely transparent, it was a discipline to simply attend the classes. It seemed much slower paced than the rigorous exercise regime I was used to and that was an adjustment. The reason why I returned to my mat again and again is because of the feeling I experienced after every class. I would walk away refreshed, centered, inspired and clear headed. Over a decade later, yoga is now a life practice for me, and not just an exercise routine. It has encouraged my personal growth and created powerful memories of being completely focused and aware. It has taught me the acceptance of my strengths and weaknesses, not to mention more about patience and discipline.
As time passed, my passion for the practice grew stronger. Drawing from the inspiration of my sister’s health condition, I mustered up the courage to pursue a yoga teacher training program. As a dedicated student, I studied the science of Hatha Yoga in Bali, Indonesia. Through my experience abroad, I discovered a desire for sharing the healing power of breath, meditation, mindful body movement, and a healthful lifestyle. I went on to further my trainings in Yoga for Children of Diverse Abilities, Integrative Nutritional Health and Nutritional Therapy. Soon after completing my certifications, the time seemed right to launch Zen Soul Balance.
Has it been a smooth road?
Overall, the journey of ZSB has been a smooth one, however, there are a few challenges worth sharing. I’ve found that many people have a misconception about what yoga truly is, and the skepticism or fear to explore it is often a deterrence. Second, we live in a culture where self-care is low priority and sadly it has affected the health of millions of people around the world. The concept and work that ZSB does is as much about preventing poor health as it is encouraging optimal health; and prevention and creating new habits is always a harder sell than simply correcting bad habits.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Zen Soul Balance – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Each stage of the entrepreneurial journey is filled with unexpected challenges, sacrifices, detours, rewards, and ultimate glory. It’s not easy being an entrepreneur, and it certainly is not for everyone. I stumbled into this path of entrepreneurship and suddenly my goals for ZSB started getting bigger and bolder, as did my passion and determination. I wake up each morning excited to execute my ideas. I feel confident in my venture and not afraid of failure. When I do fail – because I’m human and I do – I see it as a new challenge to push harder.
These days I spend most of my energy coming up with ways to create change and executing. As I reflect on this path I’ve chosen, realizing it’s a riveting roller coaster of emotions with tremendous highs and at times, difficult lows; one thing that always helps me through the ups and downs is to hear the stories and experiences from our students and clients.
As far as what separates us from others, ZSB is a holistic wellness company that specializes in yoga, sound therapy, meditation, mindfulness and nutrition; focused on group experiences and individual sessions. The team works closely with healthcare providers to offer wellness programming for patients struggling with long-term illnesses such as cancer and others. We are passionate about serving the community and volunteering with non-profit organizations.
ZSB is unique in that it offers yoga and sound therapy as a comprehensive system for wellbeing that combines breath, body, mind and frequency together. These sessions are gentle and suitable for all levels, with an emphasis on Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Sound Meditation and Sound Healing. When combined, Yoga + Sound Therapy create a profound experience that helps to release tension and promote deep relaxation; allowing practitioners to soften into a stretch. It eases stress and anxiety, enabling the shape and gravity to do its work – the work of unifying body and mind.
In addition, Nutrition Counseling and support is offered free to clients through ZSB’s community group, Revitalize. As holistic practitioners, our passion is to encourage, empower and equip those who want to change their perceptions surrounding natural foods, physical well-being and emotional health. Meeting once a month, we provide a mixture of theory and practical tips through interactive activities to help participants meet their goals. This group is open to all and we are committed to creating a space where everyone feels supported and welcome.
The last twelve months have been a big year for us and I am most proud of the growth of Zen Soul Balance and our beautiful tribe. It is truly an honor to serve our community and I am so grateful for the support of all our followers.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
San Diego has so much to offer! I could go on for days about all that I love, from the glorious coastline and variety of beaches, to the unique nature trails, the nutritious produce provided by our local farmers, and the friendly faces at the cafes, just to name a few. I am extremely grateful for the weather and that it allows us to host our yoga and sound healing events outside in beautiful locations. The culture is open to trying new things, and the beach community provides a laid back and relaxed vibe.
Hmmm… what do I like least? From a business standpoint, one challenge is there are so many options for locals to choose from. The good news is, it forces us to be extremely creative which is fun and exciting!
As ZSB matures, the commitment to making a positive contribution to the world continues by expanding wellness offerings and adding passionate and qualified professionals to help guide individuals and communities through the deep inner work required for healing and health. ZSB offers support and coaching practices that are custom tailored to help people find freedom so that they can experience unprecedented levels of joy, boundless love for life, and a brave re-connection with themselves.
In the end, our goal is to make these experiences accessible to all, no matter where you are in your journey. We would love the opportunity to share yoga, sound therapy and holistic health with everyone, because we believe in its power to transform lives!
ZSB pricing structure is available upon request. We also offer donation-based classes and free community gatherings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zensoulbalance.com/
- Phone: 858-412-7804
- Email: info@zensoulbalance.com
Image Credit:
MC Photography
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