Hannah Fredricks | Yoga & Mental Health | Jackson, WY

In our Women in Wellness series, we spotlight inspiring women who are making waves in the wellness community. Today, we're excited to introduce you to Hannah Fredricks, a licensed clinical social worker and registered yoga teacher based in Jackson, Wyoming, whose unique approach combines mental health expertise with yoga practice.

Meeting Hannah Fredricks

With her dual credentials as both an MSW, LCSW and RYT-200, Hannah brings a distinctive perspective to her classes at Inversion Yoga in Jackson. Her background in mental health counseling informs her teaching style, creating a practice that nurtures both body and mind. Hannah specializes in vinyasa yoga with an emphasis on mindfulness techniques that support mental wellbeing.

"Yoga is an incredible tool for supporting one's mental health," Hannah explains. "It creates space to clear your mind, practice mindfulness, focus on being present, let go of uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, set positive intentions, and ultimately, better yourself."

The Mind-Body Connection: Yoga as Mental Health Support

While many people come to yoga seeking physical benefits, Hannah's approach illuminates its powerful mental health applications. Drawing from her clinical background, she helps students understand how yoga practices directly impact the nervous system and brain function.

"Once you begin to learn more about the brain and the nervous system, it's easy to see how well yoga complements mental health practices," she shares. "The mind-body connection is amazing, and when you practice yoga with intention and attention to breath, you begin to feel how strong that connection truly is."

Practical Tips for Mental Wellness Through Yoga

Hannah offers these practical tips for incorporating yoga's mental health benefits into everyday life:

1. Find Your Breath Work Practice: Experiment with different breathing techniques until you discover what works for you. This might include using a physical anchor like a bracelet or necklace, practicing belly breathing or box breathing with your hands as guides, or using imagery such as clouds passing or waves coming and going. "It all begins and ends with the breath," Hannah emphasizes, "which is the simplest tool we have to focus inward."

2. Practice Non-Judgmental Awareness: Notice thoughts and feelings as they arise during practice without judging them as good or bad. This skill transfers to everyday life, helping you respond rather than react to stressful situations.

3. Set Clear Intentions: Begin each day or practice by setting a positive intention. This mindful approach creates purpose and direction that can help manage anxiety and improve mental clarity.

Try This at Home: A Simple Mindful Breathing Practice

Ready to experience the mental health benefits of yoga? Hannah recommends this simple breathing exercise:

1. Find a quiet place to sit or lie down

2. Close your eyes and bring awareness to your breath in three areas: your nose, chest, and belly

3. Simply notice how the inhale and exhale feels in each area

4. Observe any sensations: cool air through your nostrils as you inhale, warm air on your upper lip as you exhale, the rise and fall of your chest and belly

5. If thoughts arise, acknowledge them without judgment, let them pass, and return to noticing your breath

6. Try to make each breath slightly longer than the previous one

7. Connect to the present moment and let go of everything else

   

Breaking Misconceptions About Yoga

One common misconception that Hannah addresses is the idea that yoga is only for certain types of people or requires previous experience. "Everyone starts somewhere," she says, "and we all have the opportunity to meet ourselves where we are on any given day."

She also debunks the myth that all yoga teachers are extremely flexible. "My best friend growing up laughs now because she used to poke fun at me for being very inflexible. You do not have to be flexible to be a yogi! You heard it here first."

Finding Presence Through Practice

Hannah's teaching philosophy centers on creating space for mindfulness in a busy world. "During class, I often say to students that this may be the most mindful or present hour of their day," she shares. "With the chaos and business of our everyday lives, we forget to slow down, to breathe, to be fully present without jumping to the next event or item on our to-do lists."

This focus on presence is what she hopes to cultivate in her teaching—helping people let go of stress, worry, and anxiety, allowing them to decompress, regulate, and simply be with their bodies.

The Unexpected Gift of Community

What might surprise you about Hannah's wellness journey? Beyond the physical and mental benefits, she found an unexpected gift: community. "I love practicing and teaching yoga, but one of my favorite things about yoga is the community it has given me," she reflects.

"I live in a small town and love to see fellow yogis in the community. They feel like family to me, and I'm so grateful for Inversion and for the friends and family I've made through yoga. My husband likes to joke that whenever I come home from teaching yoga, I'm in a better mood. And that is because of the people that I get to be with and surround myself with."

Connect with Hannah

Ready to experience Hannah's approach to yoga and mental wellness?

• Instagram: @hannah_fredricks

• Classes: Group classes at Inversion Yoga, Jackson, WY

• Private Sessions: Individual and group private classes available upon request

Photo credit to Stephen Shelesky.

This post is part of PeachyYogi's Women in Wellness directory, where we spotlight inspiring women in the wellness community. Stay tuned for more features highlighting women who are making a difference through their unique approaches to health and wellbeing.