Why “Creed” star Michael B. Jordan turns to meditation

“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote, a.btn, ao-button”} }”>
Going out the door? Read this article about the new Outside+ app now available on member iOS devices! >”,”name”:”in-content-cta”,”type”:”link”}}”>Download the app.
Michael B. Jordan, star of films including Creed and black Panther, an actor, director, and producer, but his workouts seem to get all the attention. Since everyone wonders how he got those biceps, you rarely hear about his meditation practice.
“Meditation was a big deal for me. Meditation is what really keeps me calm,” he said in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Given the demands and stressors of his industry, he says, “being able to clear your mind and sit still is important. Meditation allows you to reset that so you don’t overexert yourself.”
“If you can do three minutes, amazing.”
Jordan credits his parents with introducing him to the practice. “I have been meditating for a long time. Even as a kid, my mom and dad were really into meditation, so I’ve been lucky enough to have a pretty good relationship with meditation that goes back a long way,” he said.
Jordan understands that the power of practice is not how long you sit. “If you spend 10 minutes, I can guarantee it will make a huge difference in your day to day,” he says. But even a few puffs can make a difference, he says. “If you take the time to close your eyes and take a deep breath, you can reset all your mood and energy in a really, really big way.
“What good are they doing?”
Jordan now supports others in their pursuit of health and balance through a partnership with electrolyte water brand Propel. The Propel Your City project recognizes organizations that offer fitness and wellness programs, including yoga. “The Jordan partnership will extend across Propel’s brand platforms … furthering the brand’s efforts to increase access and equity in fitness,” said a statement released by PepsiCo.
California-based WalkGood LA is one of the beneficiaries of the partnership. The organization began as a gathering in a Los Angeles park to support people’s mental health in the midst of the pandemic and political protests. The group now offers regular yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises, as well as free group walks, hikes, and runs. Propel’s sponsorship will help offset costs and provide studio space for classes to continue.
Propel Your City will also support Trap Studio in Detroit. Motor City residents flock to their remixes of Ashtanga, Trap Yin-yasa and other high-energy yoga classes that incorporate music and dance. In this case, rap is not only about music. Yoga owner and instructor Jamel Randall says TRAP stands for Trust, Disclosure, Acceptance, Practice.
The project will help BLK Beetles, a running group in Houston, launch monthly Move and Mindfulness events. It will also support The Atlanta Run Club’s weekly races.
“For me, being very selective about the brands I work with, the bigger picture is always the most important thing,” said Jordan. “What good do they do? …What are you actually doing for the community and for the people who actually use your product?”