Jean Hall is an author and yoga teacher who has been practicing since 1995. We caught up with Jean to learn more about her inspirations and practices.
Join Jean Hall for a month of classes centred on breath and movement throughout January: https://www.yogamatters.com/pages/community-yoga-classes-2023
Tell us a bit about yourself…
Jean: I am a movement educator, author and yoga teacher and have spent much of my life exploring and enjoying movement practices, bodywork and yoga. I discovered yoga whilst I was training as a dancer. It soon became an integral part of my life, supporting me alongside my career as a contemporary performer, and perhaps more importantly, alongside my own personal learning and growth. I initially qualified as an Iyengar teacher in 1995 and since then I continue to explore and study what it is to move and be human!
What does a typical day look like for you?
Jean: Every day is different, apart from the start of the day which mostly begins with a soya coffee! My days vary from teaching in studio, or at home in person as well as online, also writing and leading retreats. During each day I make time for some kind of movement and stillness practices, whether that be floor rolling, free movement, structured asana, a run, a swim or sitting with breath awareness and meditation. These are really fundamental and significant moments for me to help keep grounded, connected and steady.
How did your yoga journey begin and what inspired you to become a yoga teacher?
I was brought up on stories of India (as my mother is mixed race Indian) which fascinated me. Yoga then became the bridge between my love of movement and dance with my deep interest in my mum’s upbringing. Becoming a yoga teacher was not an inspired plan, but rather a path that organically unfolded.
What inspired you to specialize in your practice?
Again it is an area that naturally unfolded – from the breath! The breath supports, nourishes and is innately wise – all movement for life is contained within it! So how we breath influences every aspect of our life; from our physical health to our thoughts and emotions. The breath is a doorway to deepening awareness, to creating change and to healing … I find that hugely inspiring.
How have you seen yoga benefit your students?
That’s a big question! And there’s many different answers to it. Perhaps, though the most clear or immediate benefit I see is when people connect to the feel of their breath flow – it changes everything. It changes how they move – their quality of movement opens to more ease, coordination and energy. There’s also often a realization that they do have a choice to how they breathe and how they move and consequently how that affects how they feel in their body and in life.
What is your favorite quote or life motto?
“There is one way of breathing that is shameful and constricted. Then, there’s another way: a breath of love that takes you all the way to infinity.” — Rumi.
