Jenn Tardif is a yoga instructor and founder of 3rd Ritual where she leads workshops blending ritual practices such as yoga, aromatherapy, and tea ceremonies. Originally from Ontario, Jenn studied English and Film at the University of Western Ontario before moving to New York in 2011. She began practicing yoga in high school and dedicated herself to a deep study of Chinese medicine and yogic philosophy. Jenn lives in Brooklyn with her husband and daughter.

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ON her morning routine

I can’t remember the last time I set an alarm. I started waking up naturally after my daughter was born because of that magical mother-baby-bond that would alert me the moment she started to stir. But lately, if I’m being honest, it’s my anxiety that prevents me from sleeping past sunrise. This relates to my morning routine as I’ve done my best to pepper in simple rituals that bring me back to the present. Before even swinging my legs over the side of the bed I’ll put my hands on my body and take three deep breaths, attaching a little mantra to each. I always sing the same made-up song when I enter my daughter’s room, and the moment that I lift her out of her crib for a big hug and kiss is without a doubt the highlight of my day.

On her background and discovering yoga

I was born in Ottawa, Ontario to Chinese and French-Canadian parents, and am the youngest of three. I studied English and Film at the University of Western Ontario in London and moved to New York in 2011.

I started practicing yoga in high school. I lived in Quebec but went to school in Ontario which meant that my dad would drop me off very early and pick me up very late so that he could get to work on time and I'd hang out at this community center down the street. That's where I first found yoga but I had to find it again after my first serious breakup and again after my first panic attack. Yoga has never actually been a full-time job for me. I've always done other things for money in an attempt to protect the sacred space it holds in my heart. I didn't think I'd teach initially, I used to have major imposter syndrome around assuming that role until a few years ago when one of my mentors reminded me that a true teacher is not a cup. She said, “you don’t have to be an infinite well of knowledge or have all the answers to fulfill your purpose.”I still come back to almost every time I lead a ritual or teach a class.

I now only teach once a week. It's my version of church. A weekly reset, like charging your perspective in the same way you do with your phone. It's an offering but it's also selfish. I get so much out of it. It grounds me.

““To me, rituals are like gateways. A seemingly simple act, like applying lotion to your palms and breathing deep, is alchemical when it’s infused with intention as well as our full attention. I’ve long believed that rituals refine our ability to see greatness in small things. They add meaning to the otherwise mundane, and spark creativity and connection when we’re in need of a new perspective.””

— on rituals

On her journey to 3rd Ritual

After my mom passed away, I’d put myself to bed each night with the same series of small acts. Although I didn’t have the vocabulary at the time, in hindsight it’s clear that this was the very seed that sprouted a lifelong spiritual pursuit.

I worked in tech by day and would spend every minute of my free time studying Traditional Chinese Medicine, my weekends giving lectures on mythology and yogic philosophy, and my vacation days leading retreats. Although I was wary about merging my profession with my passion (still am to be honest), there came a moment when it felt as though I had no choice… all signs were pointing towards what would later become 3rd Ritual.

Our workshops are like tasting menus for ritual. As our name suggests, we divide the experience into body, mind, and spirit by moving through practices like yoga, pranayama, aromatherapy, painting, intention-setting, and guided meditation. Our thesis is simple: we believe that if you move half as fast, you notice twice as much, and everything we create is designed to help inspire this. Our début object, the BEL, is a solid brass candle holder that uses fire, gravity, and sound to measure time. You place a pin in the candle, and as the wax melts, it drops, landing with a resonant ding. It’s a beautiful way to end meditation or to time a creative practice like journaling or painting.

on her creative process

I’m lucky that my job is very creative, but when I do have “free time” I love to paint, draw, and dance, and it’s very important to note that I am absolutely terrible at all three. I’m not sure when the barrier to entry, even for hobbies, became so high but I’m an advocate for celebrating mediocrity (suggested reading: In Praise of Mediocrity by Tim Wu.) There’s nothing more liberating than doing something for the sheer joy of doing it, void of attachment to the end result. It’s the difference between practice and performance, and an embodied departure from the highlight reel that is social media.

Top, Iyengar Institue in Prune, India ; Pants, Rag & Bone

on shopping and style

I’m pretty loyal to an earthy pallet because it makes me feel most like… well, myself. I spent many years trying to dress myself invisible. Subscribing to this silly notion that I wasn’t “good” enough, or skinny enough, or important enough to wear white and risk standing out in a sea of black. Now, if you ever see me in all black it means something has gone terribly wrong. My favorite brands are Apiece Apart and Doen — they both make pieces that are unapologetically feminine. Their clothes are elevated and wearable… fit for running through a field in — which is the ultimate litmus test, right?

on decorating her home

We live in a small space which means we’re extra careful about the things we bring into it. My husband takes the lead in this department. He’s a designer and fairly medium agnostic when it comes to making our little world more beautiful (our table and chairs are from Herman Miller and the lighting is from Flos). Everything gets filtered through his ‘less is more’ mantra, from the hiding spots for our daughter’s toys to removing the labels on our shampoo bottles. The more I’ve come to live inside the serene scenes that he sets, the more I recognize the correlation between visual order and a positive state of mind.

on her beauty routine

My beauty ‘routine’ if you can even call it that involves spritzing armpits with Simply Divine Botanicals Crystal Ally, smearing Patrima’s Neem Rose Face Sunscreen (SPF 30) on my forehead, and quickly applying Maybelline Great Lash and Glossier’s Boy Brow with one hand while trying to keep my daughter from undoing the toilet roll with the other. Now that I’m a mom, I have a newfound appreciation for getting ready efficiently and actually find my paired down kit to be quite liberating. Sometimes too much choice can be stressful. I also recommend Chanel’s Rouge Allure Stillness 185, Karmameju’s Dry Brush, TonyMoly’s Intense Care Snail Hydro-gel Mask, Pratima’s lotion, Oribe’s Dry Texturing Spray, Gossamer’s Dusk and of course, 3rd Ritual’s Moon.

““Just because you have the words doesn’t mean you have the wisdom. These teachings are like tea and you have to let them steep.” ”

— on advice she was given by her Iyengar teacher in India

on her favorite music

Most of the playlists I make are soundtracks for yoga classes or rituals so they’re pretty eclectic ranging from Ludovico Einaudi to Billie Eilish. I think ‘firsts’ always end up cementing a spot in favorites. The first album that I owned, and saved up to buy with my own money, was the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. I will always be a lover of Prince (love Purple Rain)—I actually walked down the aisle to ‘Just as long as we’re together,’ and keep Leon Bridges (Coming Home), Nancy Sinatra, Lykke Li and Erykah Badu in heavy rotation. I also love Rumors by Fleetwood Mac and Una Mattina by Ludovico Einaudi

jenn’s favorite books, podcasts and publications

I’m often asked for reference books for those curious to learn more about the teachings we share on 3rd Ritual. My go-tos are Staying Healthy With The Seasons by Elson Haas for an intro to TCM, the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu – I like Stephen Mitchell’s translation, Wabi Sabi by Leonard Koren, and A Beginner’s Guide to Constructing the Universe by Michael Schneider. Some of my greatest spiritual learnings have come from the guidance of mystical poets like Rumi, Hafiz, Lal Ded, Mary Oliver, and David Whyte. And I’m a sucker for a high quality pod — On Being with Krista Tippet, Tara Brach’s Guided Meditations, and Our Nature by Alyssa Benjamin are on heavy rotation. As for online publications, I read WSJ Mag, Man Repeller & The Cut.

jenn’s favorite films

Edward Scissor Hands by Tim Burton, Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead by Stephen Herek, Blade Runner by Ridley Scott and The Breakfast Club by John Hughes.

jenn’s favorite places in NYC

Favorite coffee shop is Time on Canal, love Sofie Pavitt for facials, Melt in Brooklyn for massage, and the The Fly for natural wine. I also love, Elizabeth Street Garden, Sky Ting Yoga for yoga, Sincerely Tommy + Eat & Stay and Calaca.

Meet Jenn Tardif