Yogis of Color – Hadji Jones

“Yoga is the study of balance, and balance is the aim of all living creatures: it is our home.”

- Rolf Gates

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Hadji floats in mid air!

Yoga is for everyone. The Yogis of Color series finds yogis from all backgrounds and discusses what motivates them. I’ve been so honored to connect with some amazing teachers. My goal is to take a class with each of them. Every time I publish another post for this series I realize that yoga is not done but it is a way to be.

We hope at a&o you find them as inspiring as we did. Namaste.

Meet Hadji Jones a.k.a. ‘the black yogi’.

When did yoga enter your life? When did you decide to teach? Why do you teach the kind of yoga that you teach?

Yoga first entered my life in elementary school. A counselor that came in to speak to my class weekly about peer pressure prevention showed us meditation techniques that I still use to this day. This was my first experience with sukhasana other than it being called “sitting Indian style”. Lol

About 4 years ago ago I decided to pursue the path of becoming a Yoga teacher. At the fitness center I went to I met a wonderful teacher by the name of Penelope Armstead. After practice with her I always left feeling inspired and empowered.

I teach Vinyasa because it’s a dance with life where everything on the mat mirrors what is happening to you off the mat. Vinyasa also leaves plenty of room for freedom and self expression for the practioner.

What do you love most about teaching yoga?

I love to see that “aha” moment of self-discovery in my students. When they break away from the notion of impossible and begin to believe that all is possible.

What does your personal practice look like? Who were/are your yoga inspirations?

I think of my personal Yoga practice as an improv dance piece.there is control and fluidity. I do work a lot with core strength, inversions, and backbends. Meditation has been the glue to hold my practice together.

I get a lot of inspiration from:

Dancers (whether professional or street)
Self-help gurus such as Deepak Chopra, Mastin Kipp, Tony Robbins, Maya Angelou, Iyanla Vanzant, and Wayne Dyer.
Preachers – Pastor Jamal Bryant, Pastor Waller, and Bishop Evans.
My best friend Jared Michael Lowe
Yogis Dana Trixie Flynn, Faith Hunter, Jennifer Pastiloff, Sadie Nardini, Tao Porchon Lynch, Jeffrey Villaneuva, Anya Porter, and Seane Corne.
And ALL of my teachers and students

Do you think the face of yoga has become more inclusive?

I have to say yes but Yoga isn’t nearly marketed in an inclusive manner enough. We have so much farther [sic] to go.

How is yoga a part of your life?

I used to do yoga for awhile and now I live it. I recognize that yoga is everywhere and in every living being. Yoga is union with the divine. When we practice yoga we are moving toward an enlightened state. A state of freedom and bliss.

Every time I step onto my mat I practice Yoga but even after I roll my mat up and and leave the studio the Yoga is still present. And I’m sharing Yoga bit by bit with all who I come in contact with.

Yoga has helped me develop more focus in life as well as let go of what doesn’t serve me.

Is yoga physical for you? Or spiritual? Or both?

Yoga is a physical practice that brings me to a heightened spiritual state. So I would have to say both.

What is the most important piece of advice you would give to someone just starting yoga?

The most important thing a new practioner should know is, “The guru is thyself.” Trust yourself and listen to your heart.

Do you think there is something political about yoga? Do you follow the 8-fold path of yoga?

I do think there are politics in Yoga culture. Although, I don’t believe they are set up to hinder. Yoga is a 5000 year old tradition and in some way the sacred tradition has to be maintained.

I do follow the 8-limb path of Yoga. In all of my classes my teaching formula explores all 8 limbs.

Hadji’s biography

Philadelphia native, Hadji Jones uses his signature Vinyasa class consisting of great music, fun sequencing, fluid energy, and meditation to empower his students. As “The Black Yogi”, Hadji teaches his students that ethnicity, size, age, or social stature have no bearing on whom will benefit from the healing principles of the practice.
When not teaching Classes Hadji appears on several shows on the Veria Living network, blogs on ElephantJournal.com & YOGANONYMOUS.org, creates fun YouTube videos and models in Yoga photoshoots.
You can connect with Hadji at www.TheBlackYogi.com, www.twitter.com/theblackyogi and www.facebook.com/theblackyogi

Do you know of someone who should be featured in the Yogis of Color series? We’d love to talk to them.

Contact oneika@aoinspiration.com

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