Kamadeva is the handsome Hindu love god. His attributes are a bow of sugarcane strung with a line of hummingbirds from which he shoots arrows of desire.

Tranquility, radiant, peaceful unassuming, powerful from within, lovely.. These are all words that come to mind when being in the presence of Jessica Bellofatto, owner, director and yoga teacher of Kama Deva Yoga located in East Hampton, NY.

Jessica Bellofatto invited me to stay at her beautiful home on the Eastern Tip of Long Island this summer to get to know her and take some classes in her fantastic space. She radiates sunshine from her beautiful smile and made me feel at home in her home.

Jessica began her love affair with yoga practice after her dance instructor showed her how to stretch back into her very first down dog. Jessica became fascinated by this stretch and yearned to learn more by venturing down to the Jivamukti studio in the East Village run by founders Sharon Life and David Gannon. At that time in the studio in the East Village was a very busy place with a funky vibe. The studio was packed with yogi’s eager to learn the spiritual chanting and sequences created by Sharon and David.

Jessica quickly became fascinated with the ashtanga first series and yoga as a whole and while working at the studio at the front desk she was an eager student as she immersed herself in the many books at her disposal such as the B.K.S. Iyengar’s famous book The Yoga Sutras.

In 1997 Jessica trained with Sharon and David in their last 10 months of teacher training. During this time she studied Jivamukti which is a beautiful collaboration of Vinyasa., ashtanga , shivananda combined with a Dance inspired, flowy choreagraphed.. asana sequence. These creative sequences were to be enjoyed and inspired by the music of Bob Dylan among others who enhanced the yoga journey from beginning to end.

After teaching many classes Jessica began to aspire to learn other types of yoga and had began studying with John Friend in Anusara and was exploring the beauty of practicing Iyengar as well. She enjoyed the idea of finding that perfect joy when the body is fully aligned in a pose and yearned to create a more simple practice that would also be rewarding to her mind and body. Jessica also studied with Sri Dharma Mittra who is amazing. He transmits a message to his students in a very unassuming way helping them forgo their fears about a pose. His voice transforms the student and his direction is magical.

So I asked Jessica about what it is like to be a teacher of yoga and guide so many people. Do you have to choose to follow one practice or someone to follow?

JB:I have never adhered to solely one system. I have learned how to create a vibe , use music, count breath and teach vinyasa based classes to keep the rhythm… I began training with jenny capuler (spelling) in the Iyengar. Practice to further my yoga knowledge. This became transformative for me.

When I began getting into much more challenging athletic activities like running and eventually to a triathalon I began having severe knee issues. My Anusara studies with John Friend really saved me. I basically healed my knees by integrating the discipline of Anusara yoga into my life of yoga.. The Subtly of the practice aided by the deeper I was able to go into the alignment helped me feel the true joy of yoga inside my head and my body.

These collaborations of yoga styles have helped shape the eclectic teaching style I use today.

“As a newer teacher go crazy studying with as many teachers as you can to help you create your own style. Sifting through all the information that is relevant to you.”

“The more you get into your own practice. The practice speaks for itself it’s not just about the practioner.”



LPY: Do you have a plan when you go in each class or do you just wing it.?.

JB: I used to plan but then after I had my kids and life started to get more hectic I began to start the class in silence, just to get a vibe. What came after that depended on where I was at a certain moment it all depended on where my life was at that time.. Some times messages come up and sometimes not.. When I feel stale and uninspired I know that I need to make a change in what I am doing and I bring this change to myself and my students through the practice.

Jessica told me that her objective is to have the students leave with a message. I asked her if she is left with something as a teacher?

JB: I always feel that if I have touched or helped one person physically based or emotionally based I take joy. Energy in the class that builds gives gratitude to everyone in the class including the teacher.

Tiebetan buddism teaches: karma : it is said that if you open up your home and your heart, you will always have a place to stay. Holds to be true. when you have an open heart all good will follow.

The East Hampton studio is located on Newtown Lane in East Hampton, NY on the second floor. The space is mellow and welcoming at the same time from the 2 lovely front windows that allow the sunlight to stream through to the billowing chandelier lighting throughout the room.

Jessica welcomes the students with a powerful Sanskrit chant which grows as we all join our voices together in response. This chant helps set the tone for the class and envelopes the students in the joy of just being. I personally loved the Anusara based alignment and being reminded to plug in both mentally and physically into the practice. I enjoyed every minute I spent with Jessica on and off the mat and look forward to practicing together again in the near future..

If you are out in the Hamptons or the East end make sure to stop in at Kamadeva and take one of the many classes they offer. You will certainly come out of there feeling just a bit lighter and more joyful than before the practice.. I sure did..

For information regarding Jessica’s retreats to Tulum, Mexico and other events going on at KamaDevayoga please go to www.jessicabellofatto.com or www.kamadevayoga.com.

If you would like to be interviewed for our newsletter or our website please contact us at info@lovepeaceyoga.com