DAY  5  OF  30 

 

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Third sweaty class in a row….sooo sweaty….must drink more waterrrrr. 
I’m loving every minute of this 30 day adventure, even when it’s mentally and physically exhausting!! JJ has contagious positive and uplifting energy which is refreshing after a long hot Monday. Sometimes all we need is to allow ourselves to be a little silly and laugh with our yogi friends. Perfect way to end the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LESSON LEARNED:

Own who you are and let your inner light shine bright. Learn to love your practice as it is and while you’re at it, learn to love who you are; all of yourself, not just the pretty parts. Far too often we are judging ourselves. There needs to be no expectations, no negative thoughts, no skepticism about why we are the way we are. Shift your thoughts and energy towards acceptance, love and gratitude for yourself and everyone around you. If you tell bad jokes, own it. If you like to give bear hugs, give them. If you snort when you laugh, rock it! Embrace your inner weirdness and let it out!

 

ABOUT THE STUDIO: 

  • Vision: Black Swan Yoga is an approachable, affordable, community-driven yoga studio. We honor all yogic styles, practices, and philosophies.Yoga is for everyone; so we offer classes by donation. 
  • Location: 403 Orchard St, Austin, TX 78703
  • Number of Studios: 1
  • Natural Light: Yes
  • Showers: No
  • Mirrors: Yes
  • Floors:

Interview with JJ 

jj-pONNITness Instructor, Humorist, Ball of Energy

“The most important human function in this world is connection. It is something solely unique in the human race in that we can connect not only with ourselves but with others through our powers of communication as well as spiritual and physical means. Being connected not only makes us feel Great, it helps us accomplish the goals we want to in this life, because nobody is in this fight or this life alone.”

 

 

Zuzu: What’s your story? How long have you been teaching, where did you start, and what made you decide to become an instructor? You seem to have a strong background in fitness, talk a little about that.
JJ: I was born in a small town called Blanco, Texas and made my way to Austin to attend the University of Texas. While there i studied Kinesiology and Health Promotion with a minor in Psychology and a specialization as a Health Fitness Instructor. Essentially I wanted to become a personal and athletic trainer.
While at UT I played on the Rugby team and though enjoyed many successes(undefeated seasons, trips to nationals, all-conference awards, getting to play on TV, traveling and making friends I’ll have forever) I also experienced many agonizing injuries(dislocated fingers, concussions, dislocated shoulder, broken hip, and broken ankle). These injuries were devastating and some of them I thought I would never recover from. 2013 was when I broke my ankle and soon thereafter I traveled to Australia to study abroad for 6 months. The plan was to go over and learn a lot about Rugby but given I could barely walk, that was a bit out of the question. So while there I delved into learning about myself outside of just physicality as I needed to heal myself, both body and mind. There I found meditation and then I found Yoga and I fell in love.
With my background in fitness and health and being a trainer, taking the next step to become an instructor seemed only natural.
I got back found Black Swan or really they found me and I have been instructing at Black Swan for over a year now.
Zuzu: You have a unique style of teaching and obviously a killer following since your class was packed. How would you describe your teaching style?
JJ: Weird. I try and make it fun, accessible and diverse.
I love to add elements of dance, acrobatics, martial arts, animal movements and so on. I like taking the textbook out of it so to speak and just help people discover a host of new ways they can move their bodies. I’m just lucky people have accepted this weirdness and keep coming to my classes 🙂
Zuzu:  Favorite thing about teaching at BSY?
JJ: The environment. Affordable fitness allows everyone to discover yoga at a reasonable price. The fitness industry can really stack up the prices and I don’t think that’s right. So Black Swan is truly bringing yoga to the people for the people.
Zuzu: Do you teach at other studios?
JJ: I do not, I’m all about monogamy haha just playing it’s just I don’t really have the want or need to at the present moment. Outside of Black Swan, I train swimmers at the Austin Sports and Aquatics Academy, and train Austin Juniors Volleyball for Helix Elite as well as do private one on one sessions at the Austin Fitness Clinic so I keep myself fairly busy.
Zuzu: Describe yourself in 4 words.
JJ: Energetic, Sincere, Loving, Realist
Zuzu: Describe BSY in 3 words.
JJ: 
I can do it in one word …. Tribe
Zuzu: Do you have a spirit animal?  If so, what is it and why?
JJ: I’d say Horse. My nickname on the Rugby Team was Black Beauty because I had a long flowing mane and took huge strides when I ran. But also horses have that special blend of power and grace and I really try and find that balance in my own life and personal practice.
Zuzu: Where does your high energy come from? I want some.
JJ: I’m ADHD, os so I’ve been diagnosed for my entire life. I don’t drink coffee haha, never have. I’ve just always been blessed/cursed with unending energy.
Zuzu:  If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be?
JJ: You can’t eat money
Zuzu: Where do you see yourself in 7 years?
JJ: Haha! I don’t know where I’ll be in 7days. Hopefully traveling, seeing the world, getting to train and teach people all over the world. I’m not sure to be honest, life offers so many crossroads I feel it’s almost an injustice to not leave options open. I’m pretty impulsive too so long term planning has never been a strong suit.
Zuzu:  What cool things do you have going on or coming up in the near future?
JJ: I’m hoping to have a functional training workshop within the next few months based around matrix training(multiplanar movement) for strength, aerobic fitness, rehabilitation and prehabilitation. I’m hoping to travel to India in the next few years to get an intensive training and then to Thailand for Thai massage.

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