Connect
To Top

Life and Work with Jnae Bless Williamson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jnae Bless Williamson.

Jnae Bless, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started practicing yoga the summer leading into my junior year of high school. I played basketball for 14 years prior and when I quit, I needed something to do. I was always active, so the first thing I picked up was running. I did not like running fast, but I liked to run long distance. To compliment that, I picked up yoga. Primarily for the stretch and stress relief. I knew these were some benefits, but I didn’t really understand how beneficial these things would be in my life. I went to what used to be Bikram Yoga Meyerland, now Hot Yoga Plus, with some coworkers and it has been history ever since. I loved the heat. I loved the challenge and most importantly, I loved the discipline. One of the biggest things playing sports teaches you is discipline. When I stopped playing basketball I lost a bit of that and yoga helped incorporate it back in my life. This November will mark my 7th year of practicing yoga. I committed my life to practice when I was 19 years old. I remember I wrote out a five-year plan. Year 1: Practice yoga every day. This would assure that I really did want to practice yoga. Year 2: Receive my 200hr Yoga Teacher Training. Year 3-4: Teach yoga as much as possible and continue to study the practice. Year 5: Open my own studio. I drew this up at the beginning of 2015. 2020 will mark the beginning of Year 5, which is right around the corner.

What baffles me is that up until last year or so, I completely forgot about the 5-year plan. Regardless, I have managed to accomplish all my yearly goals. I created that plan on a whim of good energy. I believed in it and that was it. I don’t even know where that notebook is now. Without even trying, I have also started a yoga project called Evolve Yoga, which will be my future yoga space in 2020.

What this has taught me is that anything is possible if you truly believe in it. We all have great ideas. They come to us almost every day. What happens after the idea comes depends on you. Whether the energy/frequency is good enough for you to actually do something about it. You also have to have a passion for something. I am truly passionate about yoga. My purpose in life is to help heal people through the practice of mindfulness. My job is to help people realize who they are so that they can find a connection to the people and the world around them. We are all truly connected. Once we realize our true self, the ego is removed and we can then feel, taste, touch and see that everything and everyone is connected.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all, but it’s been fun, haha.
Nothing ever happens the way we think it is going to happen.
You have to stay open and you have to stay ready. Some things are going to come to you faster than you expected. You might miss it.

A big thing I still struggle with is boundaries. I am pretty open to a lot of things and have received a lot over the years. Not all of those things were beneficial, but I also believe everything happens for a reason, so they have helped me figure out more of what I do want. My job now is to really narrow in on what I want. I am working on getting super-specific on every little thing. Ex: How do I want to wake up in the morning. What do I want to eat for breakfast, how many yoga classes do I want to teach a week, how much money I want to make, how I want to make that money, etc. I no longer want to settle for any or everything.

Another struggle I have had is letting go of not knowing. I am 23 years old. I am not supposed to have it all figured out. I don’t have all the answers. I was very self-assured growing up. You couldn’t tell me anything. I was confident and if I wanted to do something, I would do it. I didn’t think about the consequences and I think that is why I am the way I am now. FEARLESS. Being fearless also comes along with its own things, like being alone. This is a struggle. Leading the pack or paving a new way can and is lonely sometimes and it’s ok. Everyone does not agree with you or think on the same wavelength as you. Some people don’t understand exactly what I am doing. This is something I am still learning to be ok with. I have to trust myself and my intuition. If I listen to what everyone has to say, I will never accomplish my goals. This is why it’s important for you to take the time to really learn who you are. To figure out what you want to do. I think we hear more about developing this, but realistic tools are not being taught to the younger generation. They still think they have to have a million dollars in order to “properly” take this time. There is no better time than right now to stop and listen to your heart’s desires. Money does not fix everything.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am a 500hr, soon to be 800hr RYT (registered yoga teacher).
I also am a YouTuber: I specialize in teaching yoga and taking about holistic living.
I am known for teaching yoga, making videos, being positive and inspiring people that you can do what you put your mind to.

I am most proud of myself for taking my time in figuring things out. I am not on anyone else’s schedule but my own. I am in control of my life.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
Apps
YouTube. I love YouTube. I listen to a lot of Bob Proctor, Abraham Hicks, Oprah, Mel Robbins, etc.

Books
Think and Grow Rich
Wheels of Life
Awakening Shakti
The Yoga Sutras

Podcast
School go greatness with Lewis Howes

Other
I recently started going to The Center of Bio-Vibrational Science with my mom and this is helping me incorporate all my studies of the law of attraction and energy work into my actual life.

Pricing:

  • Evolve Classes are $10

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Jnae Williamson and @Spikethedesigner

Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in