Know it, Sweat It: Yoga for Beginners with Jordan Hana
I’ve had an on again, off again relationship with yoga ever since childhood. I’ll practice for a while then fall out of practice just to pick it up again months later. Since quarantine, I’ve been a big yogi again, practicing nearly every day. It’s been so good for my mental and physical health. This is a sign to add more yoga into your life for 2021.
In today’s culture, there’s a certain image people associate with yoga. For those who have never been on the mat, or who have fallen out of practice, that image can be intimidating. One of my favorite yoga teachers in Chicago joined me to give advice to beginners looking to get into yoga. Jordan Hana and I met on Instagram + she has the best Monday mantra series. Her insight is a direct reflection of her practice and passion in sharing yoga with others.
Get To Know Jordan Hana
I have always been one that gravitated towards fitness. Growing up I danced, and participated in poms in high school. In college, I became an avid runner, running a total of 5 marathons. During my time in New York, I landed a job at Equinox's yoga company, Pure Yoga, that exposed me to the world of yoga. Because I wanted to be "fit" "skinny", i mainly took hot yoga or power yoga classes, and that's something I wish I could tell my younger self differently, but I met incredible teachers, who I consider family now! I did try Ashtanga, but getting across town at 6am was really hard for me! When I returned back to Chicago in 2017, I was yearning for a community, for a group of like-minded people. Thinking, again, that I would want the intensity, aggressive workouts, I completed cycling mentorship & training. Unfortunately, it wasn't something that came easy to me, and I didn't really enjoy it. I still felt lost. In 2018, I started 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training at Corepower Yoga - thinking that it would help my cycling teaching. I ended up falling in love with teaching and the community I met there. Diving deep into yoga itself, allowed me to enhance my practice even more. I used to think yoga was just a workout, physical and to get into cool poses, but it's so much more! It's the power of breath - the way you inhale and exhale and move uniformly in a meditative state. How for 20, 45, 60 minutes - however long - you get to be one with yourself. So often people think they need to be better than the person next to them, when really it's all about yourself. I always tell my students that if their body is telling them to sit in childs pose, lay in savasana, do it, that's power to listen to it. While my teaching style has grown over the years, I do love a strong, powerful flow. I hope to inspire men & women alike to find their inner light through mindful movement, and recognize that while bodies need to move & gain strength, they also need rest, release & restoration.
What’s your favorite pose?
Jordan: My favorite pose changes day to day. Some days I love the strength & powerful poses, others it's pigeon and hip openers, and other days it's the poses I'm working towards like forearm stand and handstand. That's really the beauty of yoga - no class, no day, no practice is the same. It's so individual, it changes and grows with you and it's flexible in the body and mind.
Who should practice yoga?
Jordan: I don't even know how to answer this besides: everyone. The most common thing I hear is "I'm not flexible". Yes, yoga is so great for lengthening muscles and increasing flexibility but the practice has been around for a while, for a reason. Yoga = unity - uniting the mind & the body, and THAT no one can disagree with is beneficial for every single person. The great thing about yoga as well is that it's meant for all ages - it can be gentle, it can be fierce and it can adapt to the person and place to help balance your mind, body & spirit.
Why should someone practice yoga?
Jordan: There are so many benefits to yoga - i've talked about flexibility, lengthening muscles, there is SO much more. It's calming, breath can help soothe the body - to decrease stress, decrease body aches & pains. It's also known to help reduce injury, and improve your posture. A lot of yoga stems from your core which can help with balance, stability overall. Yoga helps you really lean in & feel your body in various movements - helping you get to know your body a little more.
How should someone practice yoga (at home, in class, online class, etc.)?
Jordan: I so wish at this moment we could practice in studio! The beauty of the studio is (1) it allows you to see other people move if you're new to yoga, (2) super powerful to see a group of humans move together to breath, and (3) a great place to build a strong community, sense of self and sense of commitment. Since we're currently at home, there are so many amazing options out there to practice online. Some of my favorite include Alo Moves, Yoga 2.0 and instagram!
What should someone know before taking their first yoga class?
Jordan:
Take it slow. It's so easy for our competitive sides to turn on the second we walk in to class - wanting to do the most aggressive class, movements, etc. Start with a beginner class that really dives deep in to the basic postures, and their benefits. I guarantee after that first class you'll walk out feeling great!
You might also walk out feeling defeated. That happens a lot of the time. In yoga, we speak a different language - sanskrit - and it gets confusing at times, but remember - you made it to your mat for a reason, come back to it. i like to remember that no one is watching you - their in their own bodies, their own breath, so do your thing.
Always let the teacher know it's your first class, and any injuries you may have. He/she will make sure to give you attention during class so you get the full experience of class, and will give you suggestions on how to make the practice individual to you.
Give it another try! Try the same class with another teacher - it's hard to know what you'll like until you try it.
How can one prepare for their first yoga class?
Jordan:
Be open minded. You may not know what to expect, but be open to the experience.
Do your research: Look for a studio local to you, or an online offering that interests you. Try to start with an experienced yoga teacher as well.
Plan to arrive early! You'll get some 1:1 time with the teacher, and be able to find a good spot in the room!
Be a beginner! Enjoy the learning, enjoy the simplicity. Come to your mat completely open minded - no thoughts on what you can, or can't do. Embrace that.
