Jennie opened her first yoga studio in Potomac Falls, Virginia in 2017. Most of her students were seniors, people living with chronic pain, or younger people who wanted to age well through yoga and movement. In 2021 her family moved to the San Diego area to enjoy a better quality of life. Jennie continues to teach gentle and chair yoga and movement to seniors in retirement communities, skilled nursing and memory care communities, as well as more active yoga at various Carlsbad parks. She also loves to work one-on-one with people who are new to yoga, prefer not to attend group classes, or who have physical needs that require more personal attention. Jennie also travels around North San Diego County teaching caregivers a variety of ways they can engage with their loved ones or clients through yoga, movement, breathing techniques, and short guided meditations. When she’s not bringing the benefits of yoga to others, Jennie loves long walks at the beach with her husband, trying new coffee shops with one of her grown children, and playing with her Cavapoo, Penny. You can find her at www.jenniemacgoyyoga.com
About Jennie MacGoy
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’ve been married for 31 years to my husband, Jon. We have four children: our son, Devin, is 26, lives in Boston, and will start law school in the fall. Our daughter Julia is 23 and is a musician living in New York City. Mary is almost 20 and attends Santa Barbara City College. The youngest, Colleen, is 16 and a sophomore at Carlsbad High School.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
In my 20s I worked for both the federal government and in the private sector as a trainer and instructional designer. I was CEO of the family in my 30s until my mid-40s. Took my first yoga class in 2015, became a certified yoga teacher in 2017, and love bringing the benefits of yoga primarily to seniors. Having folks with advanced dementia give me warm smiles and folks in wheelchairs enjoy moving their bodies is what I love the most about what I do.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Be flexible (pun intended)! The pandemic forced me to move my yoga business online back in 2020. My family then relocated from the D.C. area to Carlsbad in early 2021. I’ve learned that it’s important to be willing to pivot in your business (sometimes multiple times). And while making money is certainly a welcome part of the job, I define true success by the difference I make in the lives of those I work with.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I will always work with seniors: they bring me great joy. But over the next few years, I’d like to travel around the country teaching other yoga instructors, as well as caregivers, the tools I use to bring the benefits of yoga to all seniors: from the active independent folks to those in skilled nursing, to people living in memory care communities.
Jennie MacGoy & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Our family loves Bier Garden and Goodonya Organic Eatery in Encinitas, Vigilucci’s Seafood and Steakhouse in Carlsbad, and Handel’s in Carlsbad Village for dessert!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived and worked in San Diego County since February 2021, so almost three years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
The most interesting person I’ve met since moving here is Melissa Huk, also known as Ms. Oceanside Real Estate. We first “met” over Zoom while living in the D.C. area as we started our house hunt in San Diego. Melissa has faced some incredibly difficult challenges in life (many in the short three years that we’ve known her). Somehow she continues to persevere and thrive. Her optimism, selfless acts of kindness, and joyful attitude are unfailing. She inspires me every day and we consider her part of our family. Everyone should be fortunate enough to know Melissa.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Witt’s Carlsbad Pipelines in Carlsbad Village. As a relative newcomer to the area, I learn something new about the history of Carlsbad every time I go to the shop! The owner, Witt, is an icon in the community and it’s a privilege to know him.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
This isn’t unusual, but I have to say the ocean! Growing up in the midwest and in the D.C. area, the beach was always a long flight or drive from home. I still pinch myself over the fact that I get to see the gorgeous Pacific Ocean numerous times each and every day!
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
I’d love to have lunch with my very first yoga teacher, Kim. I had no idea what I was doing during that first yoga class! She was patient and helpful with me, while somehow still managing to lead a class full of people! I’d love to meet her at Eddie V.’s in LaJolla for the views!
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The original Top Gun from 1986! I was 16 years old and in love with Tom Cruise after I saw it. It’s incredible that I now live close to where the movie was filmed! One of my favorite TV shows is the historical drama Outlander, based on a series of books. It’s got Scottish history, romance, and time travel all in one show.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I would love to be an actress in a movie — should I move to L.A. now?
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Carlsbad’s beaches: they are incredibly clean, accessible, and provide the perfect backdrop for watching sunsets.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My husband. He’s the most selfless person you will ever meet. He is an eternal optimist, an incredibly hard worker, and can always make me laugh!
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
I am a member of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, the San Diego Dementia Consortium, the San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force, and just started volunteering at the San Diego Blood Bank. My husband and I have season passes to the performances at New Village Arts in Carlsbad Village.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
This too shall pass. One of my former yoga students, Kirsten, delivered her first baby six weeks early because she had preeclampsia. Kirsten said the doctors and nurses were amazed at her sense of calm during her recovery and while her daughter was hospitalized. She told me that she just kept repeating to herself, “This too shall pass.” I remember that every time I face a stressful situation — it really helps.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
I live in the Mar Brisa neighborhood in southern Carlsbad.
What I love about my Neighborhood:
We are a neighborhood of all ages: from young families with new babies to retirees who are original owners of their homes here. Many families have dogs so it’s great fun walking the streets and saying hello to many people every day. We are perched on top of a hill so many of us have peek-a-boo views of the ocean.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Saturday: morning coffee in Carlsbad Village, followed by a long, but not-too-difficult, hike with ocean views. Lunch at home, a nap, dinner, and then a show at New Village Arts. Sunday: coffee and brunch in Encinitas followed by a long beach walk with my husband and dog. After dinner, packing up chairs, blankets, and our fire pit then heading to Tamarack Beach to watch the sunset and enjoy hot cocoa around the fire.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family time. A safe place to land after a hard day. A good night’s sleep.
