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- Jack R from Kalgoorlie
Jack R from Kalgoorlie
Hatha and Yin yoga
Name: Jack R
Age: 45
Background: Gold miner, father of two, discovered yoga to manage chronic pain
Current Location: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Yoga Style: Hatha and Yin
I’m more patient with my kids and more focused at work
What motivated you to try yoga for the first time?
I started yoga because my body was giving out. Years of mining work left me with a bad back and stiff joints. My wife signed me up for a class at the local rec center, and I went just to keep her happy. I didn’t expect much, but after a few sessions, I noticed my pain easing, and I kept going back.
Do you prefer practicing indoors, outdoors, or in a studio?
Outdoors, no question. There’s something about rolling out my mat in the backyard after a long shift and moving under the wide-open sky. The connection to the land feels grounding—it’s a reminder of why I work so hard and the beauty of the life I’m building.
What’s the biggest misconception you’ve had to overcome about yoga?
That it’s not for blokes like me. At first, I felt out of place in a room full of flexible people half my size, but over time, I realised yoga is for anyone who’s willing to show up. You don’t have to touch your toes to get something out of it.
How has yoga influenced your life outside the mat?
It’s helped me handle stress a lot better. Mining is tough, physically and mentally, but yoga has taught me how to breathe through the hard moments. I’m more patient with my kids and more focused at work. Yoga isn’t just something I do; it’s something that’s changed how I live.
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