The Beauty of Yoga

Stacey Lee demonstrates a posture I cannot do.  She is currently teaching yoga in Islamorada, Florida.

I’ve wanted to fall in love with yoga for a long time. I always knew, subconsciously, whether through past life experience or an attraction to Yoga Journal cover girls, that I had an affinity for this ancient tradition.  I had said to myself several times that if I found myself unable to train martial arts, I would devote myself to yoga.  I recognized a relationship, without really knowing why.

So I tried different things over the years. I went to a Zen and yoga retreat at Tassajara,  where I was able to sample the Iyengar style. I liked Iyengar, with long static postures and the use of props to achieve the correct positions, but it didn’t capture me.

Of course I had tried Bikram Yoga, a.k.a “hot yoga.” Doing classes was certainly a rush, but the amount of water I lost every class was shocking, the pungent 115° F room was less than appealing, and the intensity of it made me question whether this could be an everyday discipline.

Then came Ashtanga.  Jimmy turned me on to it.  He swore it was the real deal, that the instructor David Miliotis was definitely a “black belt” yogi, and that I would like it.  He described the clarity of mind and sense of centeredness he felt after each session, and said that of all the styles he had tried, or all the physical disciplines he had explored, Ashtanga was really unparalleled. 

I was intrigued, but not completely sold.  Part of me wanted to go shala hopping, trying out classes at all the schools in Bend, partly as a social exercise, and partly to sample the goods to make an informed decision.  But I trusted Jimmy’s opinion, called up David Miliotis, and scheduled my 2 week introductory course with Stacey Lee, an advanced practitioner and instructor who led afternoon sessions at Ashtanga Yoga Bend (AYB).

Stacey led me through the standing postures of primary series.  It was tough.  Many modifications had to be made to the postures so that I could come close to approximating them.  My shoulders were astoundingly tight.  My hips rebelled.  My hamstrings laughed.  There was not an iota of relaxation in holding any position.  Stacey made everything look smooth and effortless.  I was a white belt once again, in a long established no gi system of movement.

Other yogas left me satisfied with a light sweat and a nice view.  This was different.  This was demanding in its precision.  Breathe this way.  Look at that.  It was technical.  Serious.  It reminded me of jiu jitsu.  Finally, something had clicked.

Afternoon yoga classes were just about the best warmup imaginable before teaching BJJ, though I was told that morning practice was even better.  Initially I didn’t believe, but once I made it, I quickly converted. 

That first A.M. practice stands out for me.  I woke up, groggy and sore, threw some coffee down my gullet, and stumbled to the shala.  I came back 90 minutes later, loose and relaxed, with unparalleled equanimity of mind.  Chakras were open for business, and I was a changed man. 

I am still a white belt, working my way through primary series, but I’m excited by the progress I’ve made.  Postures that were difficult have now become easy, and postures I thought I would never get are now within reach.  My hips and back have loosened up to a degree I’m amazed by.  I feel faster and significantly less prone to injury, particularly in my knees.  Recognition and control of my center has definitely increased.  I feel the balancing effects of this yoga on every level.

And all I had to do was practice.  Just show up and practice.  There are a number of disciplines that this lesson applies to.  For example, all of them.

I’ve fallen in love with yoga.  Finally.