An organisation breaking barriers to access mindful wellbeing in our community through evidence-informed Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, yoga, meditation, community public health initiatives and school-based programming.
Over the past eight years Kristi and Fell Jenkins have combined advanced training, graduate-level education, clinical training and field research to create mindfulness-based wellness and fitness programmes supporting public health initiatives in schools and businesses across the Baltimore region.
They were passionate about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and yoga, but noticed those spaces were often organised around hierarchy, lacked female and family programming, and lacked coaches with trauma-sensitive training. Yoga Mouth was built to be the thing that was missing.
Founders Kristi and Fell have a blended family of five children with a range of mental and physical health needs. Their business and their lifestyle are intricately connected and designed to support their whole family.
Yoga Mouth Studio starts inside a small Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym in Essex, MD. Kristi and Fell meet and recognise mindfulness as the core of their BJJ practice.
Married on the BJJ mats, a baby at home, graduate study in Yoga Therapy, and a new studio opened in Dundalk during the pandemic.
The brick-and-mortar studio closes by choice so the team can focus on rapidly expanding school and community wellness programming.
Yoga Mouth Collective is formed as the 501(c)(3) partner for Yoga Mouth Studio.
A BCPS contract lands in January. Sangha House Studio and Mat Lab Martial Arts open at 431 Eastern Boulevard in March.
Much of this story was first told in Voyage Baltimore, April 2025, in an interview with Kristi and Fell Jenkins.
We meet in sweat and struggle and become witness to each person's growth and commitment to themselves.
Promotions are earned through class hours and consistent training. We encourage cross training and community building with other gyms and studios.
Executive Director
Co-founder of Yoga Mouth. Kristi developed the organisation’s evidence-informed yoga therapy style for athletes, pursued graduate study in Yoga Therapy at Maryland University of Integrative Health, and built the Yinjas curriculum now running in schools across the Essex and Dundalk area.
Executive Director & Head Coach
Co-founder and head coach. Fell brings years of both competition and therapeutic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training, and leads the kids’ and adult programmes with an emphasis on cross-training, community building and training without ego.
Judo and BJJ Brown Belt, Coach
Known around the mats as “Vanilla Gorilla.” Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt and coach.
BJJ Black Belt, Coach
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and coach.
Yoga Instructor
Yoga instructor.
Yoga Instructor
Yoga instructor.
BJJ Blue Belt, Coach
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt and coach.
Classes, memberships and events run through Essex Kindness Club at 431 Eastern Boulevard.