Jena la Flamme, our NYC Uberchic for September 2007

Ask a New Yorker: Congratulations on your new location of Jena Wellness Center. How does the new layout feel?

Jena: Well, the foundation is based on a Zen mind-set with a largely white décor. We have ornate Indian pieces that personify an ethnic, exotic feeing. Right behind me we have Sarasvati, who is the Goddess of learning, philosophy, music and literature. We think health and wellness is an art. It takes practice. We guide our clients through that process of refining the arts for themselves so they can have something that they can implement for the rest of their lives.

Ask a New Yorker: We’re rocking. On a side note, Jena and I began recording this interview when I noticed my FP fast playback mini recorder was stopped. Jena was kind enough to start all over.

Jena: We have flowers. We have plants. We have our display here that shows a beach.

Ask a New Yorker: I dig the chandelier.

Jena: Yes it sparkles. It symbolizes that nutrition need not be dry and about calories and carbs and points counting. Instead it can be fun ,vibrant and interesting. It can be sparkling and refreshing.

Ask a New Yorker: So where did all this start for Jena? Where did you grow up?

Jena: I was raised in Dublin until I was ten. My parents are Irish. We immigrated to Australia, where I lived until I was twenty. Then I went independently to Martinique, a French island in the Caribbean, and taught English there. Then I went to India, with a one way ticket, age twenty one, and stayed there for two years studying yoga, meditation and natural living. I really wanted to find what was the source of happiness from within. When that’s turned on then everything else is going to work out.

Ask a New Yorker: I’m sorry, how do you turn this on?

Jena: It lies from within. It’s your nature. It’s just a matter of unveiling it and removing the clouds and cleaning the vessel so that you can be who you really are. And that is freedom. That is love and peace. And that fortunately gives one the freedom to conduct business or to be an artist or to fall in love or even to have a sad day. All with the deeper knowing that your true self, your essence is peaceful and happy.

Ask a New Yorker: Cool. So do you have a dancing partner? Love in NYC can be tricky.

Jena: (laughter) I have a boyfriend who is a naturopathic doctor. We love to talk shop, about vegetables and our clients!

Ask a New Yorker: So where do you go to rejuvenate outside the city?

Jena: I love going to the beach, Long Beach, Fire Island. I go to the Hamptons sometimes. Otherwise I travel. In New York I love Prospect Park. I also ride my bike over the bridge in the morning . The sun is rising, wind in your face, the city is sparkling and then you can ride back and leave it all behind in quiet Brooklyn.

Ask a New Yorker: Williamsburg Bridge? (laughter) What’s wrong with the Williamsburg Bridge? Manhattan Bridge?

Jena: No, the Brooklyn Bridge, the romantic bridge. Also I’ll be going to Burning Man again this year. I’m with the costume cult. We give out costumes. My hobby is costume making.

Ask a New Yorker: Interesting.

Jena: Yes, I make costumes throughout the year and perform at parties. I was actually on the front page in The Downtown Manhattan Magazine. I was wearing wings and a metallic top and sparkly pants.

Ask a New Yorker: Ok, so we’re back on the tour of Jena Wellness. What room are we in now?

Jena: We are in the yoga and seminar room. Last night we had a seminar here. It was on wellness and financial wellness, with me and a financial advisor. Also in this room we do semi private yoga and Pilates for up to six people.

Ask a New Yorker: Networking and wellness. I love it. So…what is a mantra and how does it work?

Jena: In the purist sense a mantra is syllables that have a certain resonance and meaning that transport you to a different place or state. This is a Yantra which is the visual version also know as a mandolia which represents fun, freedom, creativity of health and wellness.

Ask a New Yorker: I love that episode on Curb your Enthusiasm when Larry David asks Richard for his mantra back…anyways so what’s your mantra. May I have it?

Jena: I could tell you my mantra.

Ask a New Yorker: What is your mantra?

Jena: You have to pay me. (laughter)

Ask a New Yorker: Mantra for sale. Great t shirt idea. I love it.

Jena: Actually you would come to a class and I would transmit it in a proper meaning. I could tell you a mantra. A manta would be ohm shanti, which ultimately means peace. So the idea is as you repeat it you become it. You say ohm shanti, ohm shanti, you are shanti . Nothing but shanti.

Ask a New Yorker: Where are some of your favorite restaurants?

Jena: I love Soeun. It’s on 13th between University and 5th. It’s a macrobiotic place. I also love Thai food and there’s a place near here called Planet Thailand 212 on 24th street. The décor and food is spectacular.

As we moved into another room, the kitchen where Jena started conversing in French with a colleague.

Ask a New Yorker: Parlez- vous François?

Jena: Oui, so this is the room where we feed our staff . We also have semi private cooking classes. We’re having one next Monday. We go to Whole Foods to do the shopping

Ask a New Yorker: So when was the last steak you ate?

Jenna: In a five star restaurant a couple of years ago, organic beef, only the best.

Ask a New Yorker: What’s up with the cowboy hat?

Jena: (Laughter) I have no accounting for this fashion statement.

Ask a New Yorker: Nothing but shanti to you Jena. Thanks for the interview.

www.Jenawellness.com
1133 Broadway at 26th St.
Suite 1107
New York, NY
10010

see also http://www.askanewyorker.com/Aprstreetsmart.htm for more from Jena.

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