Neighborhood Leader - JaTorra Commodore

JaTorra Commodore is a certified life coach, meditation leader and yoga instructor who lives in West Haven. She is using her Neighborhood Leadership Program project to expand her practice and introduce her stress-reduction techniques and exercises to people who may otherwise not have an opportunity to try them. 

“I want to bring more programs that help with managing stress and dealing with work-related burnout for people who don’t have accessibility to gyms or yoga studios, or who may find those places intimidating,” Commodore said. “I wanted to connect with my community and thought this this would be a great way.” 

Commodore started her wellness business, the Raise Your Vibe Collective, after working for two decades in the classroom as a teacher. She began doing mediation and yoga on her own as a way of managing stress from her job. The practices helped her slow down and take better care of herself, and she began thinking that perhaps she could help her peers discover the same benefits. 

“I saw that a lot of teachers around me needed help and support and were not getting it. I thought, ‘Maybe this is my path.’ I went out on a limb, started my certification process, and started my business.”

Now certified, Commodore offers  meditation and yoga classes for teachers and caregivers, kids in classrooms and anyone looking to reduce their stress, while still working as a substitute teacher. She is taking what she learned in the Neighborhood Leadership Program to expand access to her classes.   

“I’m looking to offer more classes, workshops, programs to people in the community around holistic wellness, Commodore said. “I want to help everyone from children to seniors.”