About Jennifer
Jennifer Steffener graduated from the Somerset School of Massage Therapy in 1996. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist and a member of the American Massage and Bodywork Professionals. She has advanced training in a variety of massage techniques and has been involved in fitness and holistic services since 1990. Jennifer established JS Associates for Therapeutic Massage, LLC and opened Vernon Massage and Wellness in Vernon, New Jersey in 1996. She operated her Vernon office until 2011 when she relocated full-time to the Jersey Shore. Jennifer continues to operate a mobile therapeutic massage and wellness office in the Short Hills’ area as well as Ocean County.
Jennifer customizes her massage therapy sessions and uses a combination of Swedish, Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial, Sports and Stretching Techniques, Reflexology, Chinese Massage, Shiatsu, Manual Lymph Drainage, Consulting and After Care to uniquely fit the therapeutic needs of each client. Jennifer has over 27 years of therapeutic massage experience with a variety of clients of all ages and health concerns. She has worked with professional and amateur athletes, oncology patients, hospice patients, and clients with various medical conditions such as lupus, autism, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, and lymphedema. Jennifer also offers preventative massage for relaxation and wellness.
She is an accomplished Tai Chi instructor and a senior student of the late Grandmaster Jou, Tsung Hwa. Jennifer was so inspired by Master Jou, she moved to the Tai Chi Farm in Warwick, NY to study full time with him in Chen Style Tai Chi. At his encouragement, she began teaching and assisting with classes and events in 1994. Jennifer was instrumental in organizing and facilitating Master Jou’s Memorial Service and the last Zhang San Feng Festival ever held at Tai Chi Park in Warwick, NY in 1999. She is on the board of The Master Jou Tsung Hwa’s Tai Chi Memorial Park Foundation in Wantage, NJ, which was created to carry out Master Jou’s work. She assists, teaches and demonstrates at the annual World Tai Chi and Qigong Day and Master Jou Tsung Hwa’s Birthday Celebration, both held at the park. Jennifer is a Certified Tai Chi, Qigong, and Meditation Instructor. Her classes focus on the health, longevity, and prevention benefits of Tai Chi. Jennifer teaches Tai Chi as a living art and believes when you incorporate it’s simple yet powerful principles into all aspects of your daily activities you can enhance the quality of your life.
Jennifer has shared her massage and Tai Chi expertise with The Friends for Life Senior Citizen Program at St. Claire’s Hospital; the Nursing Continuing Education Program at St. Barnabas Hospital; Norwescap of Sussex County and fitness conferences in Chicago and California. She has taught Adult Education Programs with Sussex County Community College and Continuing Education Classes for High Point Regional High School. Jennifer was a part of Dorot’s University Without Walls Program to promote health and well-being for housebound senior citizens.
She currently teaches Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong, Meditation, and Healthy Living Classes and workshops in Essex, Ocean, and Monmouth Counties. She shares her stress resiliency skills and stress recovery tools with EMT’s and First Responders through F.I.R.S.T. – a mental health education and resiliency program. Jennifer created “Simple Changes for Whole Life Wellness” programs and presents corporate wellness and staff development workshops to various businesses and organizations in Ocean County. She also shares her classes with several Active Senior Communities and AARP programs in Ocean County.
Jennifer is an avid surfer and snowboarder and co-owns Coastline Adventures Surfing School, LLC. She is a Master level instructor and is certified by the National Surf Schools and Instructors Association. Jennifer has also contributed to the master level training curriculum. She specializes in teaching holistic-minded surf and stand up paddleboarding camps to women utilizing tai chi and yoga principles. She enjoys educating and mentoring young students on healthy lifestyle choices; environmental awareness; community service; and self-awareness and development through surfing and stand up paddleboarding. Many “surf school graduates” become part of the Coastline Adventures’ team. She also loves volunteering her skills and she and sharing her surf school for many programs such as Life Rolls On; Best Day Foundation; POAC Autism; Cystic Fibrosis; International Surf Day; National SUP Day and more! Jennifer is currently the Co-Chair for the New Jersey Chapter of Best Day Foundation.
Jennifer believes health is a positive state of creative self-expression, a feeling of joy, vitality, and happiness and not merely an absence of “dis-ease”. She feels our own bodies and minds hold the potential for being some of our greatest teachers. Her therapeutic approach supports our innate wisdom’s understanding that prevention is more precious and wise than cure. Through her intuitive, open and mindful nature, Jennifer creates an environment of growth, healing, and community. She honors and encourages every student and client to recognize their unique qualities and special gifts. In a respectful and healing partnership with her clients and students, Jennifer provides wisdom, guidance, and nurturing healing energy towards their path to more a balanced, mindful and healthy lifestyle.
- Certified Yomassage Therapist since April 2019
- Co-Chair for New Jersey Chapter Best Day Foundation since September 2018
- Registered Yoga Teacher – 200 Hour since April 1, 2018
- Certified and New Jersey State Licensed Massage Therapist since 1996
- Certified Neuromuscular Therapist since 1996
- Certified Geriatric Massage Therapist 1997
- Certified Manual Lymph Drainage (Vodder Technique) and Complete Decongestive Therapist since 2001
- Certified Tai Chi, Qigong, and Meditation Instructor since 1993
- Certified Qigong for Health Instructor since 2013
- ABMP Certified since 2017
- AMTA Certified since 1995
- CPR and First Aid Certified since 1995
- NSSIA Accredited Surf School and Certified Master Level Instructor since 2008