February 06, 2004
Namaste Noble Warriors!
A woman came into my studio the other day. Her doctor told her to start doing yoga to help her out of shape body which had collected a host of aches, pains, and now dis-ease. Less concerned about her body and more about religious issues, she asked me about the �all the worshiping that yoga people do.� First, I took a breath. It amazes me the fears people are brainwashed into by organized religions. I told her there are two main motives for doing yoga, and yes, a more intimate hooking up with Divine Energy is one. Yet, I told her, yoga is non-denominational. First comes sweat, then matters of the spirit. I told her that there are both dualistic and non-dualistic world views of Vedantic and classical Yoga. I told her that a yogi might say that he or she serves �Brahman� while using yogic techniques, postures, and principles to cultivate �Atman� which is another way of saying that we do yoga to serve what Force it is that we consider God and then sharpen our bodies and minds through the Practice in order to make ourselves a more fit and appropriate instrument for His beautiful Work. She left smiling. But did not buy any classes.
On some level we must take action in order to move into a more joy-filled and healthy and balanced life. This is the second main motive for doing yoga; to return to our natural space of joy. I�ve designed HP Yoga to deepen my student�s intention and willpower toward such Higher movement during their life. I use private and online training to nourish the deep inner force of what I call Noble Warriorism, the balance between self effort and the wisdom of surrender, insecurity, and acceptance.
Adaptation was the hallmark of my world-class athletic career. I delighted in dancing among the elite extreme and outdoor sports as no one else could. I applied my sense of the Divine into my training and devoted my performances to Brahman. I attempt to bring this same philosophy of Divine motivation into my teaching.
- coach ilg