Jenna Ritter
Jenna Ritter, MS is the founder of Dhara, a new non-profit. “Dhara” is a Sanskrit word that means "rooted and ever-flowing”. To be rooted in who we are while simultaneously flowing with what is is essential to living a balanced, healthy, productive life. Dhara teaches the practical integration of Eastern self-healing practices to populations who frequently are not provided such opportunities due to low income and/or extremely stressful, challenging life situations. Classes currently serve adults living with chronic mental health issues and service providers. Dhara is celebrated and supported by prominent individuals, organizations and agencies in the NYC area.
Jenna strives to nurture a more harmonious and genuinely peaceful humanity through effectively incorporating the fundamentals of ancient Eastern self-healing practices within the demands of living in the modern Western world. Through blending her unique background of special education, social work and Indian and Chinese self-healing lifestyle systems, her classes effectively provide much needed stress relief, increase sharpness and clarity of mind, build inner and outer strength, and inspire individuals to move towards positive, productive actions in both personal and societal life. Jenna frequently shares insights from her own journey to support others in their self-healing. Through empowering individuals to see that the choices they make influence how they feel and behave, she has seen her students move towards living happier, healthier, more satisfied, productive lives.
Jenna has 15 years of urban social and educational service work experience, with 9 years of adult mental health experience focusing on recovery and trauma relief. Jenna’s training has involved spending significant time in India and China where she has directly experienced the benefits of ancient self-healing techniques and lifestyles under the guidance of established Masters. Jenna received her Masters in Special Education from Bank Street College of Education. She completed her yoga teacher training with the Art of Living Foundation and is a certified Level 1 LifeForce Yoga Practitioner. She is certified to teach Dao Yin, Wu Dang Hun Yuan (Primordial) Qi Gong, and Shen Dian through Chi for Longevity. Jenna currently continues her studies with the Krishnamacharya Healing Yoga Foundation, an experience that further illuminates and clarifies Yoga as a living, organic practice that is an effective and legitimate healing modality.
Jenna is delighted to be part of the Breathing Project community where she teaches a weekly open class for those living with mental health issues and Dhara’s signature program Six Weeks to Wellness, developed in collaboration with NAMI-NYC Metro.
For more information please visit www.dharanyc.org
