Namaste friend :)

On November 21, 2009—fourteen years ago today—I got sober. 

I remember pouring a bottle of Crown Royal whiskey down the sink of my Calgary apartment and declaring to myself that I would never drink again. ❌ 🥃  

I had no idea the road ahead, but I was all in. 

To be clear, I’m not here to preach and suggest that everyone needs to quit drinking. But for me, I was heading in the wrong direction—fast. 

During my fifteen-year drinking career, I spent the night in jail (aka the drunk tank) in every Canadian province west of Quebec. 

I used to be proud of that statistic! 📈

If I continued in the direction I was headed; eventually, I would lose my driver's license, lose my wife, end up in jail, or wind up dead. Three of those things happened. ✅✅✅

One time during a binge, I saw a deep sadness in my mom’s eyes. She knew that I was out of control. I used to be pretty good at hiding the addiction, but I was slipping. It killed me inside for my mom to see me this way. 

I w...

There is nothing in the world I would rather be doing than writing this blog to you right now.

Seriously, I jump out of bed each morning with a passion to practice yoga and share the magic of yoga with others. ❤️

It saved my life. And I've witness it transform the lives of countless people around the world. 

Here's a few fun facts about me:

Before I was a yoga teacher, I spent 10 years as an Engineer for John Deere. Practicing yoga with beautiful souls like yourself beats designing tractors, hands down. 

I don't believe that everyone's yoga practice should be the same. I wake up at 4am to meditate, practice yoga and prepare for each day. But don't worry, it's not a requirement to get up this early to be a yogi. 😂

I do believe in consistency. Getting on your yoga mat every day, even for just a few minutes, is more effective than one long yoga class a week. 

My all-time favourite yoga retreat: you may think it would be some exotic location like Bali or Costa Rica, however after le...

Wanna know the best part about Yoga Teacher Training?

It prepares you for anything. 

This weekend, with no advance notice, I was asked to lead a short 10-minute yoga session for some students.

"No problem," I thought. 

Before becoming a Yoga Teacher, this invitation alone would have caused anxiety and fear. But I was feeling ready. 

Then I saw the shoes overflowing out the front entrance. 👟😂👟

Before Yoga Teacher Training, I would have panicked at this point. 😬

But I was excited to create a fun yoga experience. 

Then I walked into 200+ students who had just arrived in the USA 🇺🇸 from India 🇮🇳. 

Everyone was shoulder-to-shoulder. 

There was no space for yoga mats. 

But then I remembered that yoga means connection. Even though there wasn't space for poses, we could still connect. 

I shared a little story, led them through a guided visualization, and chanted some mantras. 🎶

We had so much fun! ❤️

A younger version of myself would have opted for staying in my comfort zone ...

Namaste {{first_name}} :) 

Do you need to become a scholar in ancient yogic texts to practice or teach yoga?

Of course not, yet as we continue exploring the rich offerings of the yogic tradition, these sacred texts may answer some of our most important questions. 📚

The first week of classes is underway at Harvard Divinity School, and just like last year, I'm eager to engage in courses relevant to students and teachers of yoga.

It's a blessing to learn and study with great scholars, such as Reverend Dr. Francis X. Clooney, who, in addition to dedicating his entire life to serving as a Jesuit priest, has been rigorously studying yoga philosophy for half a century.

Professor Clooney’s course on the Upanishads is particularly intriguing. The ancient Indian Upanishads are considered some of the oldest and most famous Vedic texts—dating back to 700 BC—yet are absolutely relevant to modern yogis.

Now, it's important to note that a beginner yogi (or yoga teacher) is not required to be ...

Namaste Yogi :)

History was made this summer!

You gotta hear what yogis from the 2023 Muskoka Summer Retreat had to share:

Whatever area of your life you're ready to breakthrough, this is the space to do it! 

And guess what!?

As part of the HJY family, you have access to 80% OFF our 2024 Muskoka Summer Retreat. 

Enjoy a weekend packed with sweaty high vibes, personal breakthroughs, and spiritual healing for just $95. 

CLICK HERE TO SAVE YOUR SPOT

Be sure to enter your early bird discount code FAMILY for 80% OFF. 

2024 Details:

Date: August 23-25, 2024
Location: Bracebridge, ON 🇨🇦

Let me know if you have any questions, and looking forward to giving you a big sweaty hug!

Happy Jack :) 

PS: These 80% OFF early bird spots are limited and will sell out FAST, so save your spot today!

Namaste Yogi :)

Did you know that the greatest yogis of all time are women?

The ancient yogic texts present many divine feminine yoga goddesses as the best yogis. These beloved yoginis are role models for being our best selves. 

Sita is known for her dedication, courage, and purity. 🦁

Radha is the goddess of love, compassion, and devotion. ❤️

Lakshmi is the goddess of health, prosperity, and abundance. 💸

Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and learning. 📚

Plus, we can look to Parvati, Durga, Kali, and many more for divine feminine inspiration! 

And guess what…

Happy Jack Yoga University has an amazing new course!

The Divine Feminine: Yoga Goddesses

Go at your own pace with the self-study option. 

You’re probably thinking, who am I, Happy Jack, to lead a course on the divine feminine!? 🤷‍♀️

I’m excited to share that many expert women contribute to this course. 

Also, during my studies this past year at Harvard Divinity School, I took a course on the Divine Fem...

“I’m not enough, and I won’t be loved.”

They say these are the two greatest fears of all humans.

Ever felt this way? 

I had my share of feeling "not smart enough" this past year at Harvard. 

Last week I delivered a final presentation about mindfulness and self-care for yoga teachers. 

Leading up to the presentation, limiting thoughts were speaking loudly in my head…

“I'm not as smart as everyone else.”

“They won’t resonate with my style.”

“What are they going to think of me?”

I was the last student to present; everyone before me had a fancy PowerPoint. 

I don't have much experience with making elaborate slide decks, so I said f@©k it—I’m just gonna share my truth. 

After all, sharing authentically is everything we stand for at HJY University. 

Often we're taught to present our strengths and accomplishments to build credibility. 

Personally, I find that being vulnerable and sharing challenges, insecurities, and adversity is much more relatable. 

As yoga teachers, our vulne...

It's no secret that taking care of mental health is vital to our well-being.

That's why we created a brand new course—dedicated to the education and practice of supporting mental health—rooted in ancient yogic wisdom.

Here's what you'll learn...

💛 discover why (and how) yoga can support mental health

💛 how to use pranayama, mantra, and mudras to address depression and/or anxiety

💛 practices for improving mental health

Whether you'd love new tools to support your students, or discover new practices to promote your own mental health—you're gonna love this new course.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Email [email protected] with any questions.

We'd love to welcome you and support you in earning your RYT-25-hour Yoga for Mental Health certification!

Happy Jack :)

Have you been dreaming about getting away?

You'll love practicing yoga with a community of beautiful souls at our Spirituality Immersion—India Yoga Retreat. 🇮🇳

Join us in the birthplace of yoga for this nourishing retreat experience. 

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS & DISCOUNT CODE

You'll live the authentic ashram experience on the banks of the holy Ganga River and surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains. 🏔️🌊

Here's a taste of what you can look forward to:

🏔️ Snap a selfie with friends at the top of the Himalayas

🔥 Experience Ayurveda—the sister science of yoga—through a 1-on-1 consultation with our Ayurvedic Doctor

🙏 Nourish yourself through yoga retreat OR yoga teacher training (your choice!)

❤️ Make friendships for life

Happy Jack Yoga has been leading yoga retreat experiences around the globe for more than a decade. 🌏

And India is THE place to deepen your yoga practice and connect to the true intention of yoga. ❤️

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS & DISCOUNT CODE

Email [email protected] with...

Wanna know what my daily rituals are?

Though I'm still capable of one-arm handstands, they are no longer part of my daily practice. 😂

⚠️ Disclaimer: I realize not everyone is able to dedicate hours to their daily rituals. It's a little easier for me. I have no kids, I live by myself, and yoga is my life—personally, professionally, and academically.

The key is to decide what's right for you.

Even 5 minutes a day—done consistently—can change your life.

I've been developing this daily ritual since 1998 when I became obsessed with health. My wellness journey began 25 years ago (when I weighed 100 pounds more than today).

So here we go, my daily rituals (and yes, Hanna would call this my bootcamp 😂...but I love it!):

Morning:

⏰ 4am—wake-up

🧊 4:15am—cold plunge (bathtub)

🍋 4:25am—adrenal cocktail (lemon, fulvic minerals, salt, water)

🤸‍♂️ 4:35am—yoga asana

💨 4:45am—pranayama (breath work) 

📿 4:55am—mantra meditation

🌱 5:10am—pre-workout greens

🦁 5:15am—workout (3 strength trai...