We have had our eye on Jenny Redford for some time now.  Not just for her impressive credentials (which include comprehensive pilates teacher, pilates method alliance cpt, ashtanga-vinyasa yoga teacher, postpartum corrective exercise specialist and co founder of The Teachers Collective, to name a few) but also for her ability to transcend the fleeting fitness influencer market and offer something worthwhile to her followers. She's an endless inspiration and resource for teachers and students alike.

We asked Jenny to answer some questions inspired by the infamous Proust Questionnaire.  We hope you enjoy her honesty as much as we did.

What is your current state of mind?

I'm currently in a pretty flow state of mind. I think it's the first time in a while that I feel pretty settled where I am, what I'm working toward, what serves me, and comfortable saying no to everything else. I think it's this nice gift that comes with life experience and lots of mindfulness.

What is the quality you most like in a friend?

I have a couple friends that have the ability to make everyone else at ease. I think it's such an invaluable gift to bring life and personality out of others.

When and where were you happiest?

I think that's such a good question with a really complex answer. I look back to a lot of times, being first married and living in LA, living in San Diego with my two year old and awaiting the birth of my daughter. There's something really sweet about all those times. But I have to say I think I'm happiest now. And I think that's the ultimate goal - to create the life you want with the people you want.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

I'm embarrassed to say that I say like a lot. It's one of those things my mom always corrected when I was a teenager and now I'm wishing I had listened because I'm sure I sound less intelligent.

 
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I've always hated my kind of anxious, impatient, impulsive nature. My goal is always connected, calm patience and it's not natural for me at all. Luckily I found meditation at a young age or I'd just be a mess.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

A cool French girl or a puppy. Both sound like a pretty good life.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

My body is pretty straight up and down, with very few curves. I've always liked being petite and flat chested (I was a ballerina) but I naturally don't have much of a waist. As much as I am grateful for a healthy, resilient body - I would kill for a few curves and a waist.

On what occasion do you lie?

Honesty is really important to me, especially in relationships, however - with my kids I can only hear "why?" so many times until it feels like they just want a more interesting answer than "I don't know." So occasionally I make up a story. I'm just giving the people what they want.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

I can definitely say ballet was my first love and to this day there is so much emotion when I watch dancers. It's a love that I don't think I'll ever truly get over. Especially quitting pre-maturely like I did. I am very lucky to say I am married to my human love of my life. And I'm raising my other little loves. Between my husband and my two kids, they are the only people to give me that can't breathe, skip a beat feeling. 

Which talent would you most like to have?

I would love to have the talent of being able to juggle all the things, go all the places. I tend to need a lot of recharging, quiet time, down time.

Where would you most like to live?

For a long time I dreamed of big city life and I've had the chance to temporarily live in New York and Boston and then lived in Los Angeles for several years. Now I think I could be very happy in Positano. But who wouldn't? I can't complain too much about where I live now, the Southern California country. We have an amazing farm to table restaurant scene and farmers market. Our very good friends own a pasture raised, beyond organic chicken and meat farm. And our city is kind of off the radar without being too small. No one totally knows where we are, yet we can get to the beach, the city, the desert, and even Disneyland in about an hour.

Thank you again Jenny, and thank you to our readers. We look forward to bringing you more soon.