April 14, 2004
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coach Ilg,
After class yesterday I was speaking with my incredible Yoga teacher, Joy, about some of the benefits I have seen from my short three months of practicing HP Yoga. Aside from the obvious physical changes my body is going through, and the feeling that I am dealing with the stress of everyday life better, there has been another great benefit that I wanted to share with you.
Being raised Buddhist, as a child I was often at the temple fidgeting as I struggled to sit in, what was for me, an uncomfortable position during prayers and chants. I was often in too much pain to fully appreciate the spiritual and meditative aspects of what I was doing. The prayer posture (both legs bent to one side, hands at the heart) remained a painful and difficult position to hold even as an adult. I needed assistance just getting to my feet and walking after a long Buddhist ceremony at my wedding.
I had been saying to my wife that if I had practiced yoga as child, my Buddhist practice would have been stronger. This was confirmed for me this past week when my parents came into town for a visit. I took them to a Cambodian Buddhist temple they like, to see the head monk. He led us in a long prayer session for my father. For the first time ever, I felt no pain. I sat up straight as a board, and was really able to focus on the moment, the prayers, and the chants. It was really great. My mother even commented on how I appeared.
I thank you and Joy for this. It would seem appropriate that as I write this, my family prepares for more ceremony and prayers, as tonight is Cambodian New Year.
I bow to you both, Vic Nol