Jessica Bellofatto

Jessica Bellofatto, Founder and Director of KamaDeva Yoga in East Hampton, New York, is best known for her easy laughter, radiant energy, and matchless knowledge of the body. A mother, yogini, doula, surfer, triathlete, and avid stand up paddleboarder, Jessica has inspired thousands of students in their journey to better understand themselves and their world. She uses movement as play, movement as therapy, and most importantly, views movement in general and the asana practice specifically as a spiritual practice done to benefit all beings.

Featured in The New York Times, Time Out New York, The New York Post, New York Magazine, Hamptons Magazine, Well and Good and many more, Jessica, deeply steeped in her Jivamukti roots, co-founded Yoga Shanti in Sag Harbor, NY in 1999, co-directed Yoga Shanti’s first 500 hr Teacher Training Program, and co-directed the studio for nine years before moving in a different direction. She opened KamaDeva Yoga in April of 2009, and leads sold-out yoga retreats worldwide. In 2011, Jessica was chosen amongst over 400 other applicants to be one of Athleta's Featured Athletes for 2011, and writes regularly for the ATHLETA CHI blog, and other periodicals.

She has studied extensively with many of yoga’s most famous names, including John Friend, Richard Freeman, Angela Farmer and Victor Van Kooten, Tim Miller, and many senior teachers at the Iyengar Institute in NYC. In addition to her study of asana, Jessica has studied Yoga philosophy and Sanskrit with Manorama (Thea D'Alvia) and Tibetan Buddhism in the Gelukpa lineage with James Conner and Dr. Lisette Garcia, Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christie McNally. She bows low at the feet of all of her holy teachers.

In addition to her love of Yoga, Jessica has a passion for birth, and is currently beginning to study to become a CNM (certified nurse midwife).

"I have known Jessica Bellofatto since she became certified from Jivamukti twelve years ago. She has always been a gifted teacher and an inspiring spirit. She was always the epitome of a yogini, which is why I chose her to represent my nuala yoga inspired clothing line for our first catalogue. She is a beautiful soul inside and out. I continue to learn from her every time I am in her presence and I am grateful for the opportunity always..."
Christy Turlington Burns
Super Model, Entrepreneur & Human Rights Activist

"in a sky full of Yoga stars, Jessica's shines most brightly. She is a natural teacher of Yoga in all its aspects and her classes are rare, perfectly formed gems. Afterwards, I always feel satisfied and am always hungry for more"
Giulio Martini

"I cannot tell you what a difference starting this practice has made in my life. I’ve always felt like my body was a very loosely held-together bag of bones that never quite worked together the right way with no strength, no unity, even back when I was a teenager dancing 6-8 hours a week. Since starting the practice my body is becoming a strong and working whole. To get to walk around in it is really becoming a pleasure. The chance to focus in that way, to remain calm in the face of exertion, to have my mind and body so completely engaged in the same action, my time in that room is gift. And for once I don’t hate myself for my body’s shortcomings and can meet the challenging parts of the practice with gratitude for the opportunity it gives me. I see how I’ve progressed and the sense of accomplishment has been so important for me.

Jessica, I’m sure you know, but you are such a gifted teacher. Your instruction is so deep, so thorough, so focused, so smart. I’m so grateful that I was led to the opportunity to work with you. The work you offer is nothing short of a blessing. Thank you for making the space for me and welcoming me to the practice... See you in class!"
Sigrid Benedetti
Catering Manager, Honest Restaurants and Catering