Jessica Rigal, Founder & Lead Instructor
Licensed Master Social Worker, Meditation Teacher, Trauma Specialist, E-RYT 500
With over 40 years of meditation experience and a lifelong devotion to healing, Jessica Rigal brings a rare blend of clinical wisdom, spiritual depth, and human warmth to the mat. Her journey began in the late 1970s at Zen Mountain Monastery, and from there she was fortunate to study with renowned teachers such as Pema Chödrön, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Dr. Herbert Benson, Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Joan Borysenko, and many others who shaped her understanding of the contemplative mind.
A licensed social worker and trauma specialist, Jessica has worked on the front lines of healthcare for over four decades, including as an EMT. Her career bridges the best of Western medicine and Eastern philosophy, with deep roots in psychotherapy, somatic awareness, and yoga. She believes the yoga mat is more than a place to stretch—it's a sacred space for transformation, where the body becomes a gateway to healing, clarity, and presence.
Jessica’s asana practice found its true home in the lineage of Ashtanga Yoga. For the past decade, she has studied with teachers in the direct lineage of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, including his son, Manju Jois, Greg Tebb, and Sathu Jois. Recently, Jessica completed her Advanced Practitioner Intensive with Kino MacGregor, Tim Feldmann, and Joseph Armstrong. Through consistent, breath-based movement, she discovered how essential the postures are for navigating pain, grounding the mind, and living ethically. Her classes emphasize integrity, spiritual purpose, and self-compassion.
As founder of Treasure Coast Yoga Academy, Jessica is dedicated to making yoga education accessible, affordable, and heartfelt. Her teaching weaves together ancient philosophy, mythology, neuroscience, and lived wisdom. A lifelong learner and lover of story, she brings humor, empathy, and insight to every session. She is also a passionate advocate for people with disabilities—her son, a gifted math teacher who uses a wheelchair, and her daughter, who works with the blind and deaf, are constant inspirations.
When she’s not teaching, Jessica can be found walking in nature, travelling, reading, writing, cooking with friends, or sharing good laughs. She believes that friendship is sacred, that hard work should be paired with heart, and that all of us are capable of great healing and growth.
