About
“Yoga makes me feel more centered and whole. It helps challenge me and, at the same time, humbles me” – Jennifer Lieu
Yoga is a blend of yin and yang, movement and stillness, focus and surrender. The same could be said about Hawaii-based yoga teacher Jennifer Lieu. Jenn, as she’s known to her many friends, is a bundle of infectious energy, exuding joy and positivity, while also seeking inner clarity and purpose. She can talk (and eat) a mile a minute, yet identifies more as an introvert. She easily makes friends with almost anyone and has a wide social network, yet she enjoys solitude and the occasional “me time.” When it comes to fitness, she engages in both running and yoga, finding a balance between cardio and stretching.
Jenn has been practicing yoga since she was eight years old. Growing up in Texas, she was introduced to yoga through her parents’ Buddhist temple. “I thought it was gymnastics for old people,” she recalls with a chuckle. “I loved it though, and it’s been a part of my life ever since.”
Moving to Hawaii while in high school, her yoga practice took a backseat until she went to college at the University of Hawaii. “I took one class in Kaimuki and felt amazing. I craved that feeling and wanted more of it.”
Fast-forward to 2016 – She decided to embark on a new journey that had been on her wish list for years – becoming a yoga teacher. She trained under Laura Mary Flynn at Power Yoga Hawaii in Kahala, taking part in an intensive 9-week yoga teacher-training course. “Laura Mary is an excellent teacher, one of the best. She is very knowledgeable in the physical and spiritual practice of yoga. My biggest take away from her class was that everyone has their own style and there is always opportunity to teach.”
Today, Jenn is a yoga instructor in Honolulu, teaching a variety of group and private classes. She has focused her classes towards teaching both vinyasa and yin styles to beginners. Her students range in age, occupation, fitness levels and body types. The one thing they have in common is they all approach yoga with an open heart and a willingness to try.
“Teaching is my way of giving back,” she said. “I love the way I feel after a yoga class, and I want to be able to give others the same experience.”
Certifications
RYT 200 from Power Yoga Hawaii
Level 1 Thai yoga massage training under Coco Zhang
CPR Certified