Yoga

My Background

I have been studying Yoga for about 5 years now and it has been wonderful for me! Traditionaly a stiff fellow, I now have remarkably improved flexibility. Yoga helps me relax and focus. I try to begin and end my days with a short practice. I think I have averted my fate of becoming a prematurely bent over old man, however I have a long way to go!

Yoga helped me overcome a terribly painfull back injury which my Doctor told me was (thankfully) not bad enough for surgery. She told me that most Americans suffered from back pain but offered no further assistance. Out of desperation I sought out a Chiropractor who helped explain what I likely did to injure myself and provided exercises I could perform to help me heal myself. Days I did the exercises my back felt a little better, days I skipped the exercises my back felt much worse. Turns out the exercises were yoga... My chiropractor was always dissapointed that try as she might, she could not 'crack' my back in a twist. My back now sponteneously cracks if I stand up from sitting for a while and thankfully I rarely suffer from back pain, when I do I often know an asana which helps.

My Teachers

• Marion Moore - 1995 San Francisco Bay area CA
  Marion tought a couple of times a week at SGI where we cleared out a conference room for our class. This is when I first became aware of the possibility of my being able to touch my toes and possibly having a day without back pain. Too bad I left SF for Seattle before progressing too far.
• John Nordlinger - 1995-1997 Pro Club, Yoga Centers Bellevue, WA
  John brought humor and understanding to yoga for me. A rock climber and bi-athlete John is a muscular fellow which makes him a less flexible Yoga diety. John's challenges make it easier for a beginning student to understand that it is possible to progress unlike instructors with a perfect practice which seems divine and unreachable. John taught me how to actualy live without backpain and inspired me to take Yoga seriously. John's work in the computer industry makes him aware of the challenges we information workers face flying our desks all day long. I count John as a very dear friend. I strongly recommend John's 7:00 class at Yoga Center's for those considering yoga for the first time.
• Sarah Ward - 1998 Pro Club, Bellevue, WA
  Sarah is a kind human being and a fun teacher who likes Ashtanga. Sarah tought helped me approximate supta virasana with the help of props under my knees which allowed me to practice the position to the point where I no longer need props.
• Matt Huish - 1998-2000 Pro Club, Yoga Tree Fremont, WA
  Matt has an increadible practice and is inspirational to watch if difficult to emulate! He keeps me working Monday and Wednesday nights. Matt's interest in anatomy makes many abstract actions clear. Matt recently relocated to Portland OR.
• Cherene - 1999-2000 Yoga Centers Bellevue, WA
  Cherene's strict Iyengar class keeps me honest and working. Cherene is a wonderfull human being and I loved her Saturday morning class.
• Aadil - 1999-Present Yoga Centers Bellevue, WA Aadil studied yoga from a young age with B.K.S. Iyengar as is the director of Yoga Centers. He is a wonderful instructor and human being. I am very fortunate to be able to attend his Tuesday and Thursday classes.
• I attend Ramanand Patel's workshops whenever possible. Ramanand has been described by B.K.S. Iyengar as his most senior student. I highly, highly recommend his Yoga and Sound workshop with Mukesh Desai
• I also attend Dona Holleman's workshops whenever possible. Dona was a student of Jiddu Krishnamurti and an early associate of B.K.S. Iyengar. Dona's recent book: Dancing the Body of Light describes Dona's philosophy as well as provides wonderful photos and description of asana. Click here to learn more about the book. Here are photos and comments from my New Years 2000 workshop with Dona at her villa in Soiano Del Laga Italy.

Yoga References and Books

• Yoga Books which have been recommended to me and that I have enjoyed.

I would love to hear from you, please email me

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