Jenn Tardif is intentional. Not just with her style (chic + understated), but with her words, her space, her career, her everything. It's what helped her birth the company, 3rd Ritual, the mission of which is to "make meaning out of the ordinary." After spending years in the tech industry, Jenn broke free and leaned in hard to her passion of mindful movement and the idea that every piece of our day can carry thoughtful action, love and purpose. For her, creating grounding rituals helped her heal through loss, life's craziness, and modern stress— and we can attest that after attending one of her workshops in a cozy, Soho loft, we felt buzzy and more in tune with our higher selves than ever. Nowadays, she flows between creating these safe space workshops, teaching at Sky Ting, and preparing for a baby girl (due in July!). Catch up with the glowing beauty and learn more about her take on body image, giving thanks, and the spiritual pursuit of taking it slow.
Can you share your journey with us, and how you came to create 3rd Ritual?
After years of leading what felt like a dual life — working in tech by day and teaching yoga by night — I wanted to combine my passion for mindfulness with my skillset for building innovative products. Leaving a comfortable, corporate gig was terrifying, but a leap of faith I needed to take in order to fully explore the reality of creating a holistic and authentic offering.
I delved deeper in my studies of yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, Taoism, and sacred geometry with the unique community of teachers and healers in and around New York. I traveled to India to study Vedic ritual, Vastu shastra, and yoga with some of the greatest living masters. I began formulating custom apothecary blends for friends and family, designing and developing ritual objects, and leading in-person workshops. The response was overwhelmingly positive and, from there, 3rd Ritual was born.
When you were growing up did you have rituals or grounding practices?
As a kid, I developed a special reverence towards repetition and pattern. Simple acts, like arranging the objects in my room, helped me cultivate a sense of control despite the chaos that surrounded me. Although I didn’t have the vocabulary to describe it at the time, it’s now apparent that those early routines led to a lifelong spiritual pursuit.
Were you always drawn to creating meaning out of the everyday or slowing down, to soak up life more fully? Where did this passion stem from?
I’ve always believed that simple rituals can inspire sacred experiences. Rituals give way to a new perspective, they make the invisible visible, and they help anchor us to the present moment. After experiencing firsthand the healing effects that these practices can have on our mental and emotional well-being, I was motivated to share them. First, by way of yoga classes and teacher trainings and eventually with ritual-based workshops. With 3rd Ritual, we’ve found a way to integrate these practices into the everyday by way of objects, workshops and online content.
How did you come to travel to India and how did that experience change you?
I’d always wanted to study in India, not only because it’s the birthplace of yoga, but also because it’s where many of my teachers’ teachers reside. Visiting was an opportunity to get closer to the source of these traditions.
While I was there, I asked our asana teacher from the Iyengar Institute what advice she had for us Western practitioners and she said, “Westerners are always looking for shortcuts. You distill this theory into simple terms but that doesn’t make it easier to master. Instead, like a pot of tea, you have to be patient and let the teachings steep.” I think about that often as I continue to chisel away at my attachment to what’s next.
What are some of your favorite daily rituals these days?
One of my favorite rituals at present is simply saying thank you. Although it’s become a bit of a buzzword, I don’t think you can embody grace without gratitude. I try to practice this every morning and evening, because those are the moments when I’m most susceptible to the anxiety of my to-do list, by calling to mind everyone and everything I’m truly grateful for.
How has your relationship with your body changed and evolved over the years, as a yoga teacher and now newly pregnant?
Like many women, my relationship with my body has been tumultuous and ever-evolving. Although I take great pride in advocating for body positivity and kindness to self, practicing what I preach has been a challenge. All you have to do is open Instagram to feel like you’ve missed the memo on yoga teachers becoming models.
That said, pregnancy has been a real gift in this regard — not because I was immediately in love with my changing body, but because I know I’m having a girl, which has rekindled my desire to vanquish this self-inflicted shame once and for all. When I look in the mirror and catch myself listing off the things that I wish were different, I imagine my future daughter looking up at me, taking in the image of what it means to be a woman, and that voice in my head begins to quiet down. And now, on really good days, I’ll see my reflection and feel appreciative.
Can you explain the evolution of the workshops and what the goal is for each of them?
Our workshops pair ancient philosophies with modern techniques. They began organically since I'd been leading yoga and meditation in New York for some time, but I wanted to offer more techniques for cultivating a peaceful state of being that expand beyond the mat. Each workshop is different since we tailor them to the space, season, occasion (if there is one), and participants. The spectrum is broad: we’ve organized baby blessings in the living rooms of expecting mothers and, in a few weeks, will be leading a moon ceremony under the stars on Delos Island in Greece.
How does the idea of "food is medicine" resonate with you?
Both Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine remind us that true healing comes from within. Even if you’re treating a superficial condition like bad skin, the answer often lies in the health of the digestive system, how you manage stress, and the quality of your sleep.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
I’m always inspired by nature, which reminds us that nothing is permanent.
What does legacy mean to you and how do you hope to leave your mark on the world?
To be honest, I’m just focused on leading a full life. I’m not ready to contemplate legacy because I’m still enamored with the belief that EVERYTHING has an effect; the intention you hold in your heart, the way you show up for the people you love, your willingness to live and speak your truth. All we have are our experiences so my personal goal is to be as present as possible throughout.
