At the age of just 26, Jake Paul White is already well established within the yoga world, not only from a yoga teaching perspective, but also as a specialist in yoga branding and graphic design! With over 1000 hours of training under his belt, Jake has a creative and unique teaching style, emphasising on the transitions between poses, rather than the poses themselves. We are stoked to welcome him as the first Warrior Addict Brand Warrior. Here is Jake’s story:
What inspired you to start practicing yoga? I was drawn to yoga when I first left my job as a Graphic Designer in London. I wanted to find purpose and to explore community and growth within myself and so I left with a one way ticket to Hong Kong and from there, stumbled upon yoga teacher training. For me, the teacher training really unlocked every stepping stone and transition, leading me to where I am now.
What do you think are the main benefits for men who practice yoga regularly?
Yoga is a really mindful movement practice, it gives you such a great awareness of the mind body connection and that balance between strength and flexibility which sums up the word “mobility”. For a man, the opportunity to come to a yoga class, and specifically a Budokon class (a blend of yoga, mixed martial arts and calisthenics), allows you to really thrive in your body, becoming stronger, more flexible and in turn more mobile.
You’re into rock climbing and slack-lining … how do these sports complement yoga? Both rock-climbing and slack-lining have a focus on dynamic but controlled movement, so the transition into yoga practice was just an extension of this continuous way of moving, but also a way to look after my body. I came from an extreme sports background with multiple injuries and a mentality of not caring about my body. Rock climbing is all about that connection to nature in these epic landscapes and a combination of superhuman strength and flexibility which defines this beautiful way of moving. Rock climbers actually invented slack-lining and it is a very focused balance practice. Both sports have wonderful communities surrounding them; it’s a very conscious culture and I have friendship groups in each one. I would encourage everyone to try these sports
You have an exciting year ahead filled with travel plans, tell us more?
Travelling for me is the opportunity to remove distraction and allow me to focus on what I really want. I have moments where I am sat at my desk doing my design work in a tight space and I suddenly just know it’s time to leave. Travel is a chance to really give time back to yourself. While travelling, new acquaintances are often in the same situation and can give more of themselves to you. Travelling allows me to grow exponentially, rather than being in a static place. My Dad and I are planning on driving motorbikes across India for my next trip - no design work, no yoga … just a great opportunity for us to spend time together.
As a Graphic Designer is it difficult to balance work with travelling and teaching? I have been very lucky in creating a business which allows me to travel; the combination of design and yoga have just bounced off one another, allowing both elements to grow: each one provides a vehicle for the other to evolve.
Who is the most inspirational person you have met and why? My teacher Cameron Shayne (founder of the Budokon yoga movement) is top of my list and I continually try to follow the mantra which he lives by which is “the way you do anything is the way you do everything.” This is something I always reflect on and which I see in others, it really allows me to see people in their true light and inspire me to be the best possible me at all times.
Listen to the full interview with Jake here
Jake is based in Brighton. For more information about Jake’s yoga teaching, please visit his website: http://www.jpwyoga.com For more information about Jake’s branding and graphic design, please visit his website: http://www.jakepaulwhite.com
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