Jana Long
Jana Long is the co-founder and executive director of the Black Yoga Teachers Alliance, a national organization founded in 2016 that supports the continuing education and professional development of Black yoga teachers across the United States and internationally. With over 16 years of professional experience in health and wellness, Jana provides transformational leadership, strategic planning, and organizational management, fostering programs that promote community healing, healthy aging, and holistic wellness. She also manages day-to-day operations for Power of One Yoga, LLC and directs its 200-hour registered yoga teacher training program, offering integrative workshops and therapeutic yoga for seniors.
A lifelong yoga practitioner since the early 1970s, Jana specializes in therapeutic yoga for adults aged 60 and older, focusing on chronic condition management, mindfulness, and healthy aging. Her expertise spans yoga therapy, Ayurveda, meditation facilitation, adult education, and wellness programming. In addition, she is a certified Master Gardener, Brain Longevity Specialist, and educator, offering workshops and lectures in herbal medicine, Ayurveda, and integrative wellness to community organizations, senior centers, and educational institutions. Her professional skill set also includes nonprofit leadership, event planning, content development, and capacity building for diverse teams and boards.
Before her career in wellness and nonprofit leadership, Jana had a distinguished 20-year career at the Washington Post, where she earned recognition for her organizational skills, leadership, and ability to foster trust and collaboration. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Howard University and a master’s degree in nonprofit/public organizational management from the University of Maryland Global College. Beyond her professional pursuits, Jana is a multi-disciplinary artist, writer, and gourmet cook, combining her passions for creativity, wellness, and community service to inspire and empower others.
• Brain Longevity Specialist
• Certified Master Gardener
• University of Maryland Global College - MS
• National Association of Black Journalists
• Asian American Journalists Association
• Hispanic Journalists Organizations
• Black Yoga Teachers Alliance, Inc.
• Give Back Yoga Foundation
• Baltimore City Master Gardeners - University of Maryland Extension
• GLOBAL PEACE INITIATIVE OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS & SPIRITUAL LEADERS INC
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being good with people. I'm a good listener and a good connector. One of my bosses at the Washington Post told me I was the best organizer in the newsroom and that I was straight up with people, that there was a sense you could trust me. These aren't things written in a job description, but they're characteristics I bring to the table. My yoga teacher once told me to always listen to what people tell you about yourself, whether you like what they say or not, and I've taken that to heart. Maybe being good with people comes from a long time of being a yoga practitioner. These qualities helped me move into different roles throughout my professional career and made me successful in recruiting talented journalists to work at the newspaper, organizing events, and convincing people to give the newspaper a try.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to always pay attention to what others tell you about yourself, even if it’s not what you want to hear. Feedback—both positive and critical—can be a powerful tool for growth and self-improvement.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid. Fear is the main thing that gets in our way. When you want to start something, the fear comes up: Am I going to be able to do it? Where do I start? I don't have enough money. I must wait till I... Don't be afraid. Jump in. Jump off the cliff. As long as you wake up the next day, and I mean that metaphorically, of course. Don't let your fear take over. And don't share what you are trying to do with other people. Keep it to yourself, and just do it.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
A significant challenge in my field is ensuring strong nonprofit leadership succession while managing the demands of running a growing national organization. At the same time, there’s a tremendous opportunity to leverage visibility and professional networks to attract new leaders, secure funding, and build collaborations that advance the work of therapeutic yoga for older adults.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are trustworthiness, authenticity, service to the community, and creativity. These principles shape how I lead, collaborate, and contribute meaningfully in every endeavor.
Locations
Black Yoga Teachers Alliance
Baltimore, MD 21215