JONAH BROWER LYON
HOCKEY GLOVER. PIANO PRODIGY. NEW YORKIN'. YOGI.
Name: Jonah Brower Lyon
Instagram: @jonahlyon
Birthday: Born in 2006
What city/country are you reppin’? NYC
What do most people think about your hometown/country? What are the stereotypes? It’s busy, lots of tourist stuff. People come to visit the Statue of Liberty, but for me, it’s my hood and a nice place to have two apartments; one with my Mom and James and one with my Dad and Gabrielle.
When people think of New York, they think of street performers and a lot of hotdog stands. I’m down with the dog stands, but only once in a while.
What is your story? The first time I was in a yoga studio I was 6 weeks old, so at this stage of my life I’ve been around yoga for about 11 years. I was born in NYC - it’s my home, but I’ve got homies all over the world.
My mom is Elena Brower. She’s a yoga teacher, so I’ve been lucky to hang with some great people in cool places. My favourite place to hang with the yogis is at Wanderlust Festivals, and Australia is pretty bomb.com. I’m an athlete - I play hockey, soccer, baseball, (American) football, basketball, my favourite team is New York Rangers. I’ve been to two games, both times they lost. Still love ‘em!
I’m also a DJ. I go by DJ Pulse. My beats are electronic and rap. My favourite brand of speaker is UE BOOM (UE if you’re reading this, feel free to send me a new one!). I’m also a classical pianist. I’ve been playing for 7 years, and I practice 1-2 hours every day. The most recent piece I’ve worked on is Clair de Lune by Debussy.
How would you describe yourself? I like being adventurous. I love getting on airplanes and going places. I like people that have a good sense of humour - but if you don’t have one it’s still ok. I’ll let you borrow some of my jokes. I love Drake. He’s the screensaver on my phone. DJ Khaled also features heavily in my Instagram posts.
How would your mother describe you? My mom says I’m funny, I’m a great pianist and a good artist. She sometimes still treats me like I’m five, but that’s okay - she’s my mom.
What did you want to be when you grow up? Don’t know. It’s still pretty far away.
What do characteristic do you value most in others? I like people with a good sense of humour and a bold personality (like my big homie JJ Blau).
When did you last cry? What was it about? I cried just the other day when I nearly ruptured my spleen falling off a ropes course in Germany. It was pretty epic. But I’m all good.
Is there anything you preach but don’t practice, or practice but don’t preach? Sometimes I tell people to stick with the game plan, and then I don’t.
We’ve all done a few things we’re not proud of, care to share one? Show us you’re not perfect. This one time I pulled really terrible prank on my Dad. I put a ladder against the back of the bookshelf, climbed up it, and then poured mud on his head. The bucket slipped and smashed into a big jug of water and then the water went everywhere, and it ruined the rug. I got grounded for a while for that.
Let’s play favourites?
Breakfast lunch or dinner? Which one? Lunch, burrito.
Favorite book? The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Sport/activity to play? Hockey
Favourite place you’ve been to? Straya Mate
Favourite drink? Water…
Favourite drink at the bar? Coke…
Tea or Coffee? Coffee
Boxers or briefs? Boxer
Dad’s son or Momma’s boy? Dad’s son, unless I’m with Mom.
Heartbreaker or hopeless romantic? Hopeless Romantic
Name of GF? That might change, but currently… (naaahhhh, sorry bro, can’t say)
Favourite Song? Slide by Calvin Harris
Favourite Movie? Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Best dance Move? Back handspring and then a flip
OK, Let’s talk about Yoga
What does a male yogi look like? Anything! They’re all cool and reliable to me.
What are the biggest stereotypes about guys who do yoga? I don’t know, most are pretty strong, but not that muscular. They’re all just cool dudes.
What was the biggest challenge when you started the practice? I was 6 weeks old, so I couldn’t really understand what was going on. My mom had me in a pouch on her belly, and sometimes I pooped my diaper.
What does yoga mean to you? To me, yoga is all the people, the different environments, the teachers, all the nice people I get to hang with whenever I go. I’d like to teach yoga one day, but I probably wouldn’t do my Mom’s training, just because she’s my Mom. I’d probably train with one of the BOYS.
How often do you practice? I’ve taken a few classes in my time. In New York I’ve practiced at a place called Five Pillars Yoga, and I’ve also taken my Mom’s classes on retreat in Bhutan and in Germany.
What is your best advice for a dude who wants to try yoga for the first time? Never be pressured to do yoga, just have fun and be chill. Wait for the right time, take your friends with you. And don’t take your Mom’s class.
Tell us a story when your Yoga practice came into play off the mat? I think that yoga will change the world because it teaches us to be a nicer person, and to treat other people with respect.
In your own words, what is BOYS OF YOGA? It’s a family of all my bros.
Why do you want to share your story? Because I wanted to be a part of the project, and let kids my age know that yoga is cool.
If you could spend time with hanging out, practice and chillin’ with some of the other BOYS, who would it be, and why?
1) MJW, cause he’s my bro
2) Jonni Pollard, because he is the greatest person in the world (besides my Mom)
3) Josh Blau, because he’s been around for a while, and is always hangin’ and has a pretty hilarious laugh (and it’s loud).
What is your go to yoga pose? Pretzel Pose… wait, scratch that, Bow pose. I like it cause it stretches me out.
What pose do you hate? Why? Utpantasdana. Wait, that’s not a thing. I don’t really hate any poses, tbh. Meditation is ok… but not my fav.
Yoga is….. a big part of my life. It’s a good life.
What is your favourite quote, or personal mantra?
“When plan A doesn’t work, you still have 25 more letters in the alphabet, so take a chill pill.” -Jonah Lyon (not Yogananda)
Finally, tell us a joke, try to be funny, go on.
There are two cats about to cross the river.
One is called “One Two Three”
the other one is called “Un Deux Trois”
Which one gets there first?
Answer: The One Two Three Cat. Because the Un Deux Trois Quatre Cinq (Cat Sank)…
HAHAHAHAHAHA.
And finally, how do we find you?
Instagram @jonahlyon
Spotify @jonahlyon5
Interviewed: August, 2017
