1. How was the first training workshop in Thailand?
Thailand is the perfect place for the transformative experience of teacher training. Students can enjoy the peaceful vibration of the country – the respect the Thai people have for each other teaches Westerners the concept of sangha or community. The heat, the food, the beach, everything took us to the next level. We look forward to the next event in this beautiful country.
Thailand is the perfect place for the transformative experience of teacher training. Students can enjoy the peaceful vibration of the country – the respect the Thai people have for each other teaches Westerners the concept of sangha or community. The heat, the food, the beach, everything took us to the next level. We look forward to the next event in this beautiful country.
2. How did you come to yoga world and build ‘It’s Yoga’?
That’s a funny question. I always like to say that It’s Yoga built me. When I first started practicing yoga – there were few people involved. We practiced and lived with our teacher, Pattabhi Jois, and he literally taught us how to come back to life in our bodies and to strengthen our minds. When he would go back to India, we would ask ourselves, “who’s going to teach?” I said I would teach. They others said no, you can’t teach, you can’t do everything perfectly.” But what I heard Pattabhi say was who is going to share what they love. And that’s what I’ve done. It’s Yoga found me really. People would ask me, “why are you so happy?” why are you so healthy?” and I would answer them “it’s Yoga. So it only made sense when it was time to settle down and start the community, to call the school It’s Yoga. It’s amazing to see how many people I’ve met and shared the practice with, how many have taken on the dream of It’s Yoga in their own communities with many more are on the horizon.
That’s a funny question. I always like to say that It’s Yoga built me. When I first started practicing yoga – there were few people involved. We practiced and lived with our teacher, Pattabhi Jois, and he literally taught us how to come back to life in our bodies and to strengthen our minds. When he would go back to India, we would ask ourselves, “who’s going to teach?” I said I would teach. They others said no, you can’t teach, you can’t do everything perfectly.” But what I heard Pattabhi say was who is going to share what they love. And that’s what I’ve done. It’s Yoga found me really. People would ask me, “why are you so happy?” why are you so healthy?” and I would answer them “it’s Yoga. So it only made sense when it was time to settle down and start the community, to call the school It’s Yoga. It’s amazing to see how many people I’ve met and shared the practice with, how many have taken on the dream of It’s Yoga in their own communities with many more are on the horizon.
3. What is your inspiration to create ‘the Rocket’ style and what are its unique characteristics?
As Westerners, practicing an Eastern science, it was clear to me that our bodies were very different from Easterners (Indians). Our lifestyle was fast, and we seek results in this lifetime. When I would teach the classical series – Primary series to beginners, I often found that their body types were too stiff and limited. The Rocket was born while I was on tour with the Grateful Dead. The band members were more able to do the advanced poses of the Ashtanga Practice. Men were stronger, and women were more flexible. IN order to bring more men into the practice, and to give both the male and female more balance, the Rocket routines stack the poses around the joints of the body so the muscles stretch safely and effectively. The Rocket routines invite beginners to see that they are stronger than they might think. The result Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga has 6 series of poses, and we work with 140 poses during the week. In the It’s Yoga schools, we practice 2 days per week on backbends, two days forward bends, and 2 days on strength. Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead names the Rocket – because, “it gets you there faster.”
As Westerners, practicing an Eastern science, it was clear to me that our bodies were very different from Easterners (Indians). Our lifestyle was fast, and we seek results in this lifetime. When I would teach the classical series – Primary series to beginners, I often found that their body types were too stiff and limited. The Rocket was born while I was on tour with the Grateful Dead. The band members were more able to do the advanced poses of the Ashtanga Practice. Men were stronger, and women were more flexible. IN order to bring more men into the practice, and to give both the male and female more balance, the Rocket routines stack the poses around the joints of the body so the muscles stretch safely and effectively. The Rocket routines invite beginners to see that they are stronger than they might think. The result Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga has 6 series of poses, and we work with 140 poses during the week. In the It’s Yoga schools, we practice 2 days per week on backbends, two days forward bends, and 2 days on strength. Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead names the Rocket – because, “it gets you there faster.”
4. What is your yogic path from now on at the age of 50’s?
60s! This year I turn the glorious age of 60. One of my favorite lines has always been to “watch poses appear and disappear.” I feel gratitude to have the Ashtanga Practice in my life. I see that now, my practice is more about transitions and modifications. Just that I can still move each day and salute the sun gives me a sense of purpose and makes me happy. I always want to practice, and to move thru life with grace and ease. It’s less about ambition and more about intention. The first ten years of practice is about achieving, the next ten years is about letting go of what you have achieved, and now I’m a beginner again. What I’ve learned from 30 years of practice is that you can’t get good at yoga; you can only get good at practicing yoga. Discipline and patience are the keys to a successful practice, and humor too!
60s! This year I turn the glorious age of 60. One of my favorite lines has always been to “watch poses appear and disappear.” I feel gratitude to have the Ashtanga Practice in my life. I see that now, my practice is more about transitions and modifications. Just that I can still move each day and salute the sun gives me a sense of purpose and makes me happy. I always want to practice, and to move thru life with grace and ease. It’s less about ambition and more about intention. The first ten years of practice is about achieving, the next ten years is about letting go of what you have achieved, and now I’m a beginner again. What I’ve learned from 30 years of practice is that you can’t get good at yoga; you can only get good at practicing yoga. Discipline and patience are the keys to a successful practice, and humor too!
5. Do you think yoga could make this world different? How?
I think that yoga has the power to transform lives. And lives lived with consciousness can change the world. Yoga without a personal philosophy has no power. For example, if someone is practicing Yoga without true forgiveness then the practice is merely physical and has no real power to change the world. In the East, the philosophy of Yoga transcends into the culture. If students of yoga today choose to use the power of yoga for personal transformation, of MIND, body and realization of Spirit, then the World would be a more peaceful place. It starts in our own little universes and transcends out into the world. This is the goal of Yoga. To bring more peace and happiness and health to all beings everywhere.
I think that yoga has the power to transform lives. And lives lived with consciousness can change the world. Yoga without a personal philosophy has no power. For example, if someone is practicing Yoga without true forgiveness then the practice is merely physical and has no real power to change the world. In the East, the philosophy of Yoga transcends into the culture. If students of yoga today choose to use the power of yoga for personal transformation, of MIND, body and realization of Spirit, then the World would be a more peaceful place. It starts in our own little universes and transcends out into the world. This is the goal of Yoga. To bring more peace and happiness and health to all beings everywhere.
