Jillian Woodard

Founder of Namaste by Jay

Jillian Woodard is a Program Manager at Meta and a yoga and meditation practitioner based in Columbus, Ohio. She began her yoga journey as a high school student in Columbus, Ohio, and has since practiced throughout the United States and within several countries in Asia.

Jillian earned her 200-hour Yoga Alliance Certification in 2019 through CorePower Yoga in Austin, TX and has continued her education through both virtual and in-person training. Previously, Jillian was the Yoga and Meditation Practitioner for Therapy for Black Girls, a Free People Movement Partner, and an instructor at Black Swan Yoga. Now she is an instructor at CorePower Yoga in Ohio and teaches at various events with Namaste by Jay.

Recognizing that wellness is oftentimes viewed as a luxury in the Black community, Jillian is passionate about making resources for holistic health and healing more accessible. In 2020, she launched Namaste By Jay in an effort to provide a space for Black women to heal— mind, body, and soul. With a calming demeanor, Jillian leads classes that encourage participants to be mindful and embrace the present moment.