Jena started her movement education in 1984 when she was first asked to teach the entire ballet program for hometown Highschool at the age of 15. She went on to a study English, communications and dance at Western Michigan University, graduating with honors in 1991, dancing in the University Ballet Theater and earning a teaching degree. In 2007 she obtained a Pilates mat certification through Balanced Body University and started teaching Pilates through the YMCA and as a contractor for Hamilton