Member Spotlight: Jeanne Sernett

Twenty Years of Showing Up

For more than twenty years, Jeanne Sernett has been walking through the doors of Prana Yoga Center in Geneva, IL — in seasons of strength, motherhood, healing, and growth.

Her story isn’t about mastering poses.

It’s about staying open.

It’s about community.

It’s about learning how to pause.

Before you read further, take a few minutes to hear Jeanne share her journey in her own words.

"Twenty years of showing up — through strength, through stillness, through every season of life.”

How It Began

Jeanne first came to Prana over twenty years ago after a friend invited her to class. At the time, she was a devoted runner — someone who loved high-intensity workouts and pushing her limits.

Yoga felt like a practical addition. A way to stretch. To prevent injury.

But what she found was something deeper.

What began as cross-training slowly became a relationship — one that would evolve alongside every season of her life.

Learning to Be Still

Like many athletes, Jeanne found her first class humbling.

And then came Savasana.

“So… I just lie here?”

Stillness didn’t come naturally. It took time — years, even — to recognize how profoundly different she felt after yoga compared to other workouts.

The shift wasn’t just physical.
It was mental. Emotional. Relational.

Yoga began teaching her how to notice. How to soften. How to pause before reacting.

It wasn’t just about stretching my body. It was about learning how to pause.

Through Motherhood and Change

As a mother of five, Jeanne’s practice shifted with the rhythms of family life. Living farther from the studio for a time meant she chose classes intentionally, carving space in the midst of beautiful chaos.

Now, in a different season, she finds herself coming even more often — not from obligation, but from appreciation.

There is less urgency.
More presence.

When Yoga Became a Lifeline

After surgery, Jeanne entered a period where yoga was the only movement available to her.

Walking wasn’t always possible. The weather was cold. Recovery felt slow.

Prana became her lifeline.

Not just the poses — but the people.

The conversations before class.
The quiet understanding.
The shared vulnerability.

In a season where downtime didn’t come easily, yoga offered steadiness. Community offered strength.

"Prana wasn’t just a place to move — it became my lifeline.”

A Calmer Way of Living

When asked how yoga has influenced her life off the mat, Jeanne’s answer is simple:

She is calmer.

"Yoga has taught me to respond instead of react."

Yoga has taught her to pause.
To respond instead of react.
To give herself — and others — grace.

Acceptance has become part of her practice. Accepting the day as it is. Accepting that some days feel scattered. Accepting that tomorrow may feel entirely different.

That philosophy extends far beyond the mat.

Rest, Retreats, and What’s Next

As a flight attendant, Jeanne often steps off nine-hour flights carrying time zones and long days in her body.

Restorative yoga has become essential.

Not indulgent — essential.

It offers her a way home to herself.

She also continues to explore retreats and new teachers, remaining as open today as she was twenty years ago. That curiosity — that willingness to say yes — still guides her.

Why Jeanne’s Story Matters

Jeanne embodies what Prana Yoga Center has always been about: longevity, authenticity, and heart — a spirit you’ll also see reflected in our other Member and Teacher Spotlights.

Her journey reminds us that yoga is not a quick fix. It’s not about perfection.

It’s about showing up — again and again — through every season of life.

We are deeply grateful for Jeanne. For her openness. For her steadiness. For the quiet way she reminds us that growth happens slowly, faithfully, over time.

If her story resonates with you, consider this your invitation. Whether you’re brand new to yoga or returning after time away, there is space for you here.

You never know what twenty years might unfold into.

Explore what’s happening this week on our mat →

And if you feel moved to share, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below—
What season of life has yoga supported you through?

This post is part of our ongoing Member Spotlight series at Prana Yoga Center.