Our Story
WhatSUP with our name?
Hanalei SUP Yoga was inspired by the beauty and earthy, pure vibe of Hanalei, an enchanting town in Kauai, Hawaii. Our mobile studio’s mission is to provide students with a laidback getaway from the stresses of everyday life through group and private, indoor and outdoor yoga and stand up paddleboarding classes.
What do we offer?
“On paper,” we teach yoga, stand up paddleboarding and yoga on stand up paddleboards to students of all experience levels. But it’s so much more than that, really! In 60 or 90 minutes, Hanalei SUP Yoga classes provide a mini vacation from your day, where any tensions melt away through laughter, fun, challenging exercise and a peaceful environment. You’ll leave feeling empowered, energized and more balanced.
Where are we located?
We are on land and on water! Both stand up paddleboarding and SUP yoga classes take place on various lakes in North Atlanta, including Lake Lanier, Big Canoe, Lake Allatoona, and Lake Acworth. Our mat-based, yoga-only classes are offered through a few different yoga studios.
Who stands up as your fearless leader?
Just like many of her students, Hanalei SUP Yoga Founder Jana Rife began practicing yoga as a way to improve flexibility and relieve stress and anxiety. With a love of the water and being in nature, she often enjoyed paddle boarding on lakes in North Georgia as well as on travels to Hawaii and beyond. Both hobbies quickly turned into professional passions—Jana wanted to help others experience yoga and stand up paddleboarding’s incredible mind-body benefits. She holds a 200-hour (E-RYT) and 500-hour (RYT) Yoga Teacher Training Certification registered with Yoga Alliance, a level 2 SUP Yoga Certification from Lazy Dog Paddle Yoga in Key West, Florida, and has a World Paddle Association Level 2 Instructor Certification, and is a PaddleFit Pro Coach. Safety is of utmost importance to Jana who also is certified in CPR, first aid and AED by the American Heart Association.
In addition, Jana has over 20 years of experience in aromatherapy, a member of the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy and creator of Hanalei Bath. She is also a member and on the Board of Directors of the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild. She has studied 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; she holds a certificate in Aromatherapy and a diploma in Aromatic Medicine. Jana's mat-based yoga classes incorporate a sensory experience for students with essential oils. She also teaches aromatherapy workshops in her community.
