Modern Yogi’s Q&A: Johnson Chong 

If you’ve walked into one of our yoga studios and practised with Johnson, chances are you walked out having experienced an incredible physical challenge that quieted down any ego that followed you to your mat! We love Johnson for never failing to bring the intensity to our classes and at the same time leaving us feeling a deep sense of tranquillity. 

Johnson’s classes reliably give us new ways to progress our asana practice, but more importantly, his classes remind us that it is not about our expression of a pose, it is about the steadiness we can find within those poses. 

We sat down with Johnson to chat about his yoga journey, his influences, and what keeps him inspired! 

1. WHO MOST INFLUENCES YOUR YOGA TEACHING STYLE, AND WHY?

My teachers from NYC, Courtney Bauer, Rima Rabbath, David Life, and Sharon Gannon, are among some of the teachers who have influenced my teaching style, particularly at the beginning of my journey. 

Courtney taught me about the immaculate art of language and detailed cueing in conjunction with physical and energetic anatomy. Rima, David and Sharon from the Jivamukti tradition taught me about the spirit of the yoga tradition and making ancient wisdom applicable in the modern day. 

3. WHAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL MOMENTS UNDER ONE OF THESE TEACHERS?

My teacher Courtney told me that I’m not a yoga teacher – I’m a healer. It was a profound moment in how I heard these words. Firstly, I recoiled at the responsibility of what that title carried, but then it shifted the way I looked at offering my work. Each class, each moment, is to be present in constant service to the healing in the room.

4. WHAT ARE YOU BEST KNOWN FOR AS A YOGA TEACHER, AND WHY?

My classes are like a trial by fire inspired heavily by the ashtanga-vinyasa practice, my pilates background, with spiritual musings peppered in. I believe the yoga practice is the process of seeking and experiencing grace while under pressure. 

5. WHAT ASPECT OF YOGA ARE YOU MOST INSPIRED BY?

I am always inspired by the healing capacity yoga has. No matter how you’re feeling, if you allow the practice to take you on a journey, by simply deepening your relationship with the breath, and zooming out of the monkey business of the mind, you will always leave feeling more elevated than when you left. It’s pretty awesome.

6. YOUR PERSONAL SELF-CARE RITUAL?

I do a yearly gut cleanse/reset. Massages 2-3 times a month. Weekly Epsom salt baths. Morning detox rituals like tongue scraping, hot water lemon and ginger. I practice yoga, pilates and go to the gym to integrate different ways of movement. I choose my social experiences carefully so I don’t feel drained. I don’t drink alcohol very often. I dance.

7. WHAT YOGA POSE CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?

 Split Pose – Hanumanasana

Aside from his normal teaching schedule, this October you can also join johnson for one of his healing workshops – shamanic journeying & past life healing. 

Neutral Bay studio October 9, 2022. View event here.

Bondi Beach studio October 22, 2022. View event here.

These intimate workshops are limited in space so don’t wait to book! Register via the links above, or at your local studio. 

Written by Katie Tetz
Studio Business Manager | Ever Inspiring Writer & Yoga Teacher for Power Living Australia