I have been pondering what to write in this space for the last four years, as Niyama embarks on it's fifth year I am finally ready to write about how yoga has changed me. I began a daily meditation practice twelve years ago, after radically changing my life. Spiritual exploration has been a part of my consciousness for as long as I have been able to read. My parents fostered this attitude of exploration, regarding the concept of God and how to live a better life. Outreach work was a part of my family's spiritual life since I was a little girl. We never celebrated Christmas or Thanksgiving without first serving others. Habitat for Humanity, Helping Hands, The Coalition for the Homeless of Orlando, FL. and The Environmental Research Center were where I spent my childhood. I was active in Orlando, Florida's ecumenical community all through my childhood and adolescents, eager to understand and share in how many different ways there are to worship God. CS Lewis and Father Andrew Greeley were my guides for looking at how to love with a pure heart. I questioned everything. In my heart I have always known that there are many paths to commune with God, and all are equal.
But I didn't come to yoga for a spiritual life. I came to yoga for a better body. For strength and flexibility. For power and grace. And so I would never have to step foot on a treadmill or "Stairmaster" again. To be blunt- Madonna was my first yogic influence- I wanted the physical control and strength that she showed to the world.
I owe everything to my first teacher, Monika Kulas, to her patience- particularly with my cockiness that first lesson (Power yoga in 30 days!! I could not even touch my toes!!) Monika worked with me (one on one) 5 days a week for 2 1/2 years. I was hooked. You see there is something that happens to you the first time you really inhabit your body. The first time you really hear your breath. The first time you become present.
So that is why I practice yoga. The physical side effects of the practice are strength, flexibility, connection to the body and a sense of harmony in the body. The mental, spiritual and emotional side effects- well, that is what I think is the miracle part of yoga- as it's different for everyone, let's just say that you will change- sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly- but it does happen. To me yoga is part science and part alchemy- I know how it works and intellectually I know why it works, but I am still mystified and thrilled and astounded as it works, every time I step on that simple 2 x6 piece of rubber called a mat, to me it is a "magic carpet", Thank you Monika for starting me on this fantastic journey, ten years ago.
The following are the Master teachers that I have studied under and who influence me:
Monika Kulas - Thank you for the practice
Pantaji - Head of the Himyalian Instutuite
Sri Dharma Mittra - for his love and devotion to God
Bryan Kest - for his compassion and walk of the yogic path
John Friend - for Anusara and a vocabulary with which to communicate to students
Mitchell Bleier - for his storytelling and joy of the practice
Sienna Sherman - for her grace in asana and beauty in life
Tim Miller - for his strength and humor
Richard Freeman - for his understanding of alignment and his willingness to share with others
Steve Ross - for rock and roll and not taking all of it too seriously
Quinn Kearney - for asana, sandskrit and challenging me to be a better yogi
Tom Quinn - for adjustments that changed my practice
Dr. Douglas Brooks - for the history and understanding of Rajanica Tantra
Influences:
Dona Hollaman
St. Catherine of Sienna
Osho
J. Krishnamurti
Ramanan Marshi
CS Lewis
Andrew Greeley
Rabia
Meister Ekhardt
St. John of the Cross
All the the people that I am blessed to be in able to be in relationship with.
