About Jana Rife and Hanalei SUP Yoga
Hi, I’m Jana.
Once upon a time, my grandmother traveled to Hawaii when she retired, and never stopped talking about what a magical place it is. I have her to thank for planting the seed from which not only my favorite travel adventures have grown but also my business.
In 2013, I went to Kauai, Hawaii for my birthday with my husband. While I was there, we got on paddleboards for the first time and toured Hanalei River and Bay. Six months later, we returned, to Oahu this time, where I experienced my first SUP yoga class. These moments in time changed my life forever.
After about 20 years in retail and account management, in 2014, I left my stressful corporate job to pursue my hobbies fulltime, and have never looked back. How could I? Being witness to my students trying something new while improving flexibility and strength, relieving stress and anxiety and having a ton of fun is simply the best feeling.
At Hanalei SUP Yoga, we get to experience the incredible mind-body benefits of being in nature and on the water together. Stepping on the board for the first time might feel intimidating but the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel by the end of class is overwhelmingly fulfilling. Rest assured, you’re in good hands with me (just see my professional certifications below).
My favorite thing about teaching is being a part of that first experience: standing up on a paddleboard, doing a downward dog on a board, practicing shavasana surrounded by raindrops on the lake and more. It’s all thrilling! This is why I also love leading retreats to places like Crystal River, Florida, where we swim with the manatees, and Sedona, Arizona, where we hike and meditate atop the spiritual red rocks.
Additionally, as a Certified Aromatherapist and aromatherapy practitioner for two decades, I’m also the founder of Hanalei Bath. All of my SUP yoga students and those who join my retreats receive a bonus sensory experience with essential oils, my treat!
Whether you’re passionate about yoga and want to try a new form or are a hardcore paddleboarder looking to get more fit, I’m happy to offer something for everyone.
See you on the board.
Jana
“Teaching SUP and yoga brings me pure joy. Getting outside and on the water in the sunshine is great for mental health.”
– Jana Rife
Jana’s Education, Certifications & Memberships
- World Paddle Association Class ll Instructor Certification
- E-RYT 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification from Freedom Journey Yoga (200-hour) and North Georgia Yoga Center (300-hour) registered with Yoga Alliance
- SUP Yoga Certifications from Lazy Dog Paddle Yoga in Key West, Florida
- Additional trainings in Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga and Traditional Thai Bodywork
- PaddleFit PRO Coach
- Certified in CPR, First Aid and AED by the American Heart Association
- Diploma in Aromatic Medicine from Heal Center Atlanta in partnership with The Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy
- Certified Aromatherapist, with studies under some of the leading experts in the field, including Gabriel Mojay of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists, Mark Webb of AromaMedix and Roz Zollinger of Heal Center Atlanta
- Certified Reiki Level II Usui method through Melba Black in Atlanta
- Member of the Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild
- Member of National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy
- Member of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce
5 Quick Facts About Me
1.
My family includes three giant Newfoundland dogs that each clock in at about 125 lbs. I also volunteer for the Southeastern Newfoundland Club and its rescue organization, SENC Rescue. I foster dogs to find them families (when I don’t end up adopting them myself!).
2.
I love participating in wellness festivals! I guided SUP sessions during Wigwam Wellness Festival in Atlanta and volunteered with the SUP team at Wanderlust Oahu.
3.
I’m a soap maker. See my Hanalei Bath shop on Etsy. Customers say they love my all-natural soaps made with beautiful essential oils because they don’t dry out their skin.
4.
I have the Hawaii bug. My husband and I travel there once every year.
5.
Working at addiction centers has been a passion of mine since 2016. I currently provide holistic services, such as aromatherapy and meditation, at the Carter Treatment Center in Cumming, Georgia.
Also on the Hanalei Team…
Meet Ralph Seilius
Jana’s husband Ralph got his start paddling when they took their first lesson on Kauai together in 2013. He received his WPA Level 1 certification in 2017 and enjoys teaching the Intro to Paddling lessons for Hanalei SUP Yoga on Lake Allatoona. Ralph retired from the U.S. Air Force after 28 years of service, 21 of which he spent as a classroom and positional instructor. In addition to teaching SUP, Ralph enjoys aviation history, motorsports and volunteering with the Southeastern Newfoundland Club and their rescue group, fostering and helping re-home Newfoundland dogs who need a new start.
Meet Skylar, Odin and Molly
Mascot extraordinaires and expert snugglers, our Newfoundland water doggies make a class appearance every now and then.
In The Media
Akasha Searcey Podcast: Healing and Having Fun
“In this episode, I speak with the amazing Jana Rife, owner of Hanalei SUP and Hanalei Bath about her healing journey and how she kicked her laptop to the curb and starting creating a life she loved.”
Voyage ATL: Meet Jana Rife of Hanalei SUP Yoga
“This is a great time to reflect. I am approaching the 7 year anniversary of leaving my corporate job and becoming self-employed. The whole process has been a journey and a dream come true. It all began with yoga…”
Rome News-Tribune: Finding Balance on Lake Allatoona
“Gliding on colorful paddleboards, nine women made their way to a quiet cove on Lake Allatoona on a recent Sunday morning, just beyond the Little River Marina on Bells Ferry Road…”
Shoutout Atlanta: Meet Jana Rife
“Building a community and a sense of belonging, has been the most important factor in building my business. My clients are like family and I want them to have the greatest and most memorable experience possible.”
Retreat Conexions: Jana Rife
“Well, I guess you could say I got my start in high school–I was a dance major and my teacher was a yoga instructor. I went to a performing arts high school and at the end of the class my teacher would always do some yoga along with a guided meditation.”
