Jai’s Journey and Expertise
Experienced Yoga Teacher
Jai’s Yoga journey began in 1999 while working and living at the Breitenbush Hotsprings Retreat and Conference Center. Since 2018, he has been teaching daily yoga classes in Puerto Vallarta and Online since 2019. With over 3000 classes taught, he is a registered E-RYT500 Teacher/Trainer with Yoga Alliance. Additionally, he holds certificates in YIN yoga, Pranayama, Yoga Nidra, Meditation, and Aerial Yoga. Jai became a Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist in 2025 through the International Sports Sciences Association.
Passionate Instructor
Jai is more than a fitness class leader. In his classes, you will learn proper alignment principles, ways to modify poses for safety, accessibility, and depth, Pranayama and Meditation techniques and a sprinkling of philosophy… Your progress is his passion.
What to Expect in Jai’s Classes
Focus Areas
- Flexibility and Range of Motion: Gain or regain flexibility and achieve more freedom in your body. Build strength and balance to enhance physical confidence and competence. This is achieved through the safe and mindful practice of classic and modern asanas.
- Pranayama and Breath Control: Learn breath control and breath-based movement to regulate the nervous system. This practice brings present moment awareness.
- Mental Discipline: Practice finding moments of equanimity while the body is under stress. If you can keep your mind serene and your face relaxed in a challenging asana, you can do the same in various life situations. Performing a complex or challenging pose is an achievement. However, the true value of yoga, as Jai sees it, is how you carry the practice into the world and how it impacts your daily life.
Class Variety
Jai offers a wide variety of classes. These range from nervous system focused, gentle Yin and beginner classes to intensely physical Fire and Ice classes. These advanced classes include arm balances and inversions. Check the schedule for a class that suits you. Not sure what to pick? Start with Yoga for Any-Body or better, sign up for a private class and Jai will assess your ability and design a session or program perfect for your current state. No. Judgement.
Jai’s Personal Interests
Love for Animals
Jai loves all animals, tame or wild. Birds, iguanas, and parrots are just a few examples. He has been known to stop class to admire flocks of parakeets and groups of Macaws. He is a dog daddy to three big dogs and a cat daddy to four feline furballs. Jai also loves the neighborhood dogs that come running for hugs and kisses when he’s out on walks.
Passion for Nature and Gardening
Nature and gardening are close to his love of yoga. He once turned his urban backyard in the Pacific Northwest into a densely planted ‘Food Forest’ . Now, he enjoys learning to garden in the tropical environment of Puerto Vallarta. Jai becomes visibly excited when he sees a new bloom and may encourage the class to smell a fresh Jasmine blossoms from time to time. The beauty around us in this amazing place only takes a moment of appreciation to become the beauty inside of us.
Introverted Lifestyle
Jai is a self-proclaimed introvert. He recharges when alone and depletes in social situations. Crowds are torture, Small talk is literally painful. Spending time in nature, with animals, his husband Victor Manuel, having meaningful conversations with students and teaching yoga provides his fuel for life.
Continue your growth with the Vallarta Breeze Yoga Puerto Vallarta Yoga Studio!
Whether you’re looking to dive deeper into the Yoga Sutras, The Vedas, Upanishads or would like to explore our blog, we have a wealth of information available for you! Better yet, join us in the Vallarta Breeze Yoga Puerto Vallarta Yoga studio, or practice with us online! we’re excited to continue this journey with you. See you on the mat!
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