Jordan Loo, a former Vancouver-based pilot and now a yoga teacher, has found a deep sense of belonging and inner peace during his seven years in Shanghai.

Jordan's connection with Shanghai began as an exploration to reconnect with his roots. His mother is a Shanghai native, and although he was born in Vancouver in 1987, he grew up hearing stories about the city and savoring his grandmother's home-cooked Shanghai local dishes.

After graduating from university, Jordan worked in various locations before arriving in Shanghai with a desire to rediscover his cultural heritage. When he first arrived, he found his Chinese language skill was limited, but the vibrancy of local markets, the cosmopolitan atmosphere, and the city's passion for fitness quickly made him feel at home.

Despite majoring in aviation and earning a pilot's license, Jordan was seeking something more meaningful than a career in flying. A trip to Brazil a decade ago sparked his fascination with yoga, and his curiosity toward the philosophy behind the movements led him to explore yoga's spiritual core, the harmony of mind, emotions, and soul.

His professional journey in Shanghai began as a yoga instructor. He believes yoga is not simply about mastering poses, and that the way people behave on the mat reflects how they move through life. For most people, practicing in a studio two or three times a week is normal, but the real practice begins the moment they step off the mat.

In Shanghai, Jordan has taken on two roles: Lululemon ambassador and wellness promotion specialist at New York University Shanghai. Both positions align with his philosophy of "yoga as a connection".

Since 2018, as a Lululemon ambassador, Jordan has led numerous large-scale public yoga events and local community classes. He believes that yoga's true spirit emerges when people let go of the pressure to achieve perfect poses, focusing not on outward form but on inner experience.

Each year, Jordan designs new themes for his classes, sometimes focusing on slow and mindful movements, other times on breathwork for presence or poses that cultivate self-love.

Jordan's lessons feature a constant storytelling session. He loves weaving personal stories into his teaching, sharing experiences of self-acceptance, forgiveness, self-love, and even conflicts with loved ones. He deems that the wisdom behind yoga fosters mutual understanding and connection and encourages people to approach challenges with empathy and inclusiveness.

For him, the most rewarding aspect of teaching is witnessing students find the courage to embrace vulnerability and face life's challenges. He hopes his stories inspire them.

At NYU Shanghai, Jordan oversees the wellness promotion program, offering guidance on managing academic stress, improving sleep habits, and nutrition with students.

He firmly believes yoga is a lifelong journey of self-exploration. During his seven years in Shanghai, he has seen the city's yoga culture undergo a notable transformation. In the past, yoga was mostly offered in gyms, and people practiced for the physical benefits. Today, a growing range of studios offer diverse styles, and people have developed a deeper understanding of wellness practice. Some see it as therapy, others as a medium for mindful living, and some as a way to connect with themselves or the spiritual world. Today, many extend their practice beyond the mat, integrating it into daily life.

To Jordan, this shift reflects the city's inclusiveness and warmth. He hopes to help more people embrace life with a positive, open mindset, see challenges as opportunities, and cherish joyful moments.

Reflecting on his original intention of settling in Shanghai, Jordan summarizes with a simple truth. Yoga teaches people to listen to our hearts, and Shanghai provides the space to understand, accept, and explore our best selves.

Source: Official WeChat of Shanghai Sports (ID: "shanghaitiyu")