Empower U Spotlight Series

Our interview with Abby Jensen, Studio Manager at Pacific PowerLife. PowerLife is a place to meet people. We are a place to meet yourself. We are a place to meet your goals. We are Power Life!

Power Life is located at 10381 Pacific Street, Ste. 26 Omaha, NE 68114

Interviewer: Okay, well, welcome. Go ahead and introduce yourself, and tell us a little bit about how you got started with Power Life.

Interviewee: Okay, awesome. My name is Abby, and I am a manager at one of our Power Life studios in Omaha. I started working at Power Life a year after graduating. My undergrad was in social work, and I worked with many clients who could benefit from grounding movement practices and breath work. At the time, I didn’t even realize that was yoga—I wasn’t really familiar with yoga back then. So, I’m fairly new to all of it, and the journey has been amazing.

Interviewer: That’s incredible! Tell us a little more about Power Life. What kind of yoga do you offer, and how many locations are there in Omaha?

Interviewee: We have four different locations in Omaha, and we offer eight different class formats. It’s a power yoga studio, so we really focus on a Vinyasa style of class, which is a breath-to-movement flow, so it’s at a quicker pace. We also offer Hot Yoga, which is kind of our take on a Hatha yoga class, with longer holds in a pose. We also offer physical classes like Sculpt, which is cardio, weights, and yoga-based movements, and Barre, which combines cardio, weights, ballet, and yoga-based movement. We also have Hot Flow with weights, which is like Vinyasa but with weighted work, and Restore, which is a nice stretch. So, there’s a lot of variety, and you can take all of these classes at any of the four locations.

Interviewer: A great variety! What’s your personal favorite class to take?

Interviewee: That’s a good question! Probably Power Yoga 2, because it varies depending on the instructor. The flow is designed by the instructor based on what they want to teach that day.

Interviewer: And what about teaching? What do you love to teach?

Interviewee: I really enjoy teaching Hot Yoga. It’s the same sequence every time, so I can focus on connecting with my students and being mindful of what I’m teaching that day.

Interviewer: That’s incredible! Tell me about the typical target audience at Power Life. Who’s walking through your doors?

Interviewee: Everyone is welcome! We love having any person, no matter how they identify, and we cater to all ages. My favorite thing about Power Life is how accessible it is for everyone. There are always modifications available, whether it’s a yoga class or a physical class, so you can make it your own and tailor it to your needs. Anyone is welcome!

Interviewer: I love that. I feel like some yoga studios offer a very limited selection, but the variety you provide must draw in a lot of different people.

Interviewee: Absolutely!

Interviewer: What sets Power Life apart from other yoga studios in the area?

Interviewee: I’d say our focus on community. While other places offer group classes, we really thrive when we come together and support one another. I’ve made so many friends at Power Life, both as a student and as an instructor. That sense of community really makes us unique.

Interviewer: I love that! Something I noticed that’s unique to Power Life is that you start every class with a question. Tell me about that and the reasoning behind it.

Interviewee: Yes! In our training programs at Power Life, we always start class with a community question. It helps break down barriers, especially here in the Midwest where people are used to having their space. Now you’re in a smaller, more vulnerable space, maybe doing things you’re not comfortable with. Asking the question helps you get to know someone and creates a sense of connection before you move together in class.

Interviewer: I love that! It makes the interaction feel natural, even though it’s a bit of a forced introduction. Is there anything else unique about Power Life that you’d like to share?

Interviewee: We have the Power Life Foundation, which focuses on making yoga more accessible. It can be an expensive practice to join, so we offer $5 classes, free classes, and even a trade program where people can work for their membership. We also like to stay involved in the community through the foundation by doing donation drives and offering volunteer time off for our full-time staff.

Interviewer: That’s amazing! Let’s say I want to try out Power Life, but I have no yoga experience. What should I expect, and am I welcome?

Interviewee: Absolutely, you’re welcome! One focus of our training for new instructors is ensuring a warm welcome for new students. We can identify new students by a star next to their name, and we’ll set you up with a mat and towel, free of charge. We’ll also show you where the locker rooms are and get you all set up, so you feel comfortable.

Interviewer: Great! What’s the best way to sign up for a class—through the website or social media?

Interviewee: The best way is through our website or by downloading our app. For new students, we offer a $10 unlimited week of classes. You pay the $10, and for the next 7 days, you can take as many classes as you’d like at any of our locations.

Interviewer: That’s great! Do you recommend new students try a few different classes and instructors before settling on a favorite?

Interviewee: Yes, absolutely! A great place to start is with Power Yoga 1. It’s the same sequence every time, so it allows you to familiarize yourself with the postures before moving on to something else. You can also try some of our physical classes if that’s more your speed.

Interviewer: What should someone bring to their first class?

Interviewee: Bring a water bottle, as all our classes except Restore are heated, so you’ll sweat a lot. You don’t need shoes or grippy socks, as all our classes are barefoot. Just wear comfortable, moisture-wicking clothes.

Interviewer: How hot are the heated classes, and what should you do if you need a break?

Interviewee: The temperature ranges from 85 to 99 degrees, depending on the class. If you need a break, take a seat, towel off, and drink water. I don’t recommend stepping outside, as the sudden temperature change can be harder on your body. It’s best to stay in the room and re-acclimate.

Interviewer: Good to know! What class lengths do you offer?

Interviewee: We have Express classes that are 45 minutes and regular classes that are 60 minutes. Classes start as early as 5:45 AM and go until about 7:45 or 8 PM, so there’s plenty of opportunities.

Interviewer: Is there anything else a newcomer should know about Power Life?

Interviewee: We prioritize being welcoming, offering a clean, high-energy environment, and maintaining high standards for our classes and facilities. We want everyone to feel comfortable and have the best experience possible.

Interviewer: That’s amazing! I noticed you also have themed classes, which I thought was a fun way to stay relevant with pop culture. What’s a core memory from your time at Power Life?

Interviewee: One of my favorite memories was when I earned my Barre certification. There was a lot going on in my personal life at the time, and I wasn’t sure I could do it. But I finished, made great friends in the training, and now we get to teach together. It’s a memory of overcoming challenges with the support of the community.

Interviewer: That’s wonderful! Thank you so much for your time today, Abby, and for sharing about Power Life. We look forward to collaborating with you in the future!

Interviewee: Yay! Thank you so much!