Shaquille “Shaq” Jones is a passionate Yoga Teacher, Community Health Worker and owner of Bending Buffalo Wellness. Earning a Bachelors degree in Community Mental Health from the University at Buffalo, he propelled into a career that combines both mental health and education. Formerly a Social Emotional Coordinator with BestSelf Behavioral Health, he developed a meditation practice that he shared with youth and colleagues. When his practice of traditional meditation called a need for active movement, he was introduced to yoga by a friend and fellow teacher named Cory Sampson. Just as he did with meditation, he originally aimed to teach yoga to his students. 

Since earning his 200hr YTT certification through Yogis in Service Inc. in 2021, he has taught yoga to a wide variety of demographics ranging from senior citizens to students living with cerebral palsy. Shaq has found a niche in teaching chair yoga and hopes to encourage beginners and all those interested in yoga to come “take a seat” with him.