My Journey…

I’m Jessica Derhammer-Brennan, a proud 200-hour Power Yoga graduate and a registered yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance. I attended my first teacher training at Wanderlust Yoga Austin in 2019, where I studied under instructors Lizzie Brown, Kaley Klasson and Gustavo Padron, touching on Baptiste and Anusara yoga principals. In 2020, I furthered my training with a YoStrong (yoga with weights) certification, and currently in training to teach Yin Yoga. 

After attempting flips and split leaps off the back of my mom’s couch in Oregon, she enrolled me in gymnastics at the age of six, where I trained competitively for nine years. After a back injury, I sadly had to say goodbye to gymnastics, but found a new love in track and field. My 100m high hurdles landed me a scholarship at Biola University in Los Angeles.  

Always interested in the physical body, I earned a minor degree in Sports Physiology to accompany my Communications/Public Relations degree. I also volunteered in the athletic training room, taping up my fellow athletes to further understand the incredible human body. Immediately after graduation, I earned my personal trainer certification and made a living doing that until finding my way into the world of entertainment. 

In 2005, I discovered yoga and realized I could return to my gymnastics roots in a safe way. Starting off in Bikram and quickly becoming curious in all types of yoga practice, I have experienced various styles of yoga in such countries as Japan, Australia, Hungary, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Haiti, United Kingdom and Ireland—always able to fall back on my Bikram practice in non-English speaking countries.  

When not on my mat, I work in production for large-scale feature films. My film experience has taken me all over the world, introduced me to the most fascinating and talented people (who continue to amaze me every day), and brought me to my Irish husband. Sometimes I have a break from film, which allows me to help my friends at the Academy during Oscars® season. The 95th Oscars in 2023 marked my eleventh live telecast! 

My relationships are the most important thing to me. Every day, I truly can’t believe how lucky I am to know and love so many people all over the world. 

Recently, I settled in Austin, TX with the hope of bringing more films here, as well as spreading the love and joy I’ve discovered through yoga to as many people as possible.