JOCELYN ARETE KELVIN was introduced to yoga as a child through her training as an actress and a dancer, but growing up as the daughter of cynical, intellectual New Yorkers she never imagined she would become a moving meditation teacher. Her consistent practice developed during college when she discovered that yoga was the best grounded, practical way to sustain both physical and mental health. Yoga helped Jocelyn conquer the intense anxiety and immobilizing self-judgment she experienced when auditioning, and created a pathway for her to connect more deeply to her own perspective and share her voice with strength.
Within a year after graduating from Northwestern University, Jocelyn received her teaching certification from Chicago’s Moksha Yoga, the Midwest’s largest and most well-known studio. She immersed herself in the in-depth year-long training, receiving her certification at the 200 hour level (though the program in total was nearly 1000 hours), and completed a 45-page thesis on the use of Yoga for Actors.
Jocelyn’s commitment to acting, film and yoga led her to move to Los Angeles. The day after her arrival on the West Coast, she began studying towards her 500-hour certification with intuitive powerhouse Shiva Rea at Exhale in Venice. Always searching for greater knowledge, Jocelyn has been lucky to study with teachers from Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Anusari, Shadow, and Kalari backgrounds. She has also done deep investigation into therapeutic yoga with Viniyoga master Gary Kraftsow, physical therapist/yogi Sherry Brourman, and has trained in Iyengar-based therapeutics. Meanwhile, she continues her work and study as an actor, and directed her first feature film, Your Friends Close, which premiered at the United Film Festival in 2013.
Currently, Jocelyn balances private teaching with public classes at studios such as Liberation and Silverlake Yoga, as well as instructing the faculty at Occidental College and introducing Gold’s Gym students to the life-changing practice. Her teaching spans from restorative, therapeutic yoga to fiery vinyasa flow. She is known for her detailed focus on healthy alignment, and her sense of fun. Particularly skilled at helping beginners deepen their practice, Jocelyn’s wide study base helps her to translate yoga’s helpful lessons in a way that can speak to anyone, from cynic to devotee. She is committed to helping people learn to listen better, and get in touch with their own potential, their power: their Areté.