48 Hours with an Iyengar Yoga Teacher

"A birthday is the date on which a person is born. It is customary in many cultures to celebrate the anniversary of one's birthday, for example by having a birthday party with family and/or friends. Gifts are often given to the person celebrating the birthday. It is also customary to treat people especially on their birthday, either generally acceding to their wishes, or subjecting them to a rite of transition." - Birthdays - Answers.com

Yet on 26 October, 2006, I chose to walk through the day as if it was "any other day." I chose to focus on being in the present - not attaching to the "Hallmark traditions of my past experiences." I chose to just go with my normal flow. I chose to "just pay attention."



At 2:00pm., I visited a good friend, Peter Lakis. After viewing his clean, state of the art, facility. We shared conversation and food at a local Italian Cafe.

As we spoke, I noticed how perseverance, discipline, and a commitment to Buddhism, has created and sculpted a beautiful life for Peter.

After experiencing an injury to his lumbar spine, Peter Lakis began a journey. From there, he was introduced to holistic medicine and bodywork. From there, he became a Pilates Instructor. And after teaching in various Pilates studios, he now runs his own Pilates Studio.



Dharma Space is a Pilates studio in the heart of the financial district that provides rehabilitative based & fitness based Pilates classes and education.

After leaving Peter Lakis, I proceeded to a second establishment that "delivers quality fitness and wellness solutions that support meaningful change in people's lives" - Club One - Yerba Buena



After my 15 minute steam sauna, I entered the Group Exercise Studio. And as I looked around, again, I saw years of perseverance, discipline, and a long standing community of individuals (my yoga students of Club One).



Over the last year, I have seen these individuals laugh, sweat, and totally break down in tears. Yet through their commitment to improving their personal well being (physically, physiologically, or mentally) they continue to walk the yogic path. Again, I see perseverance and discipline.

At 8:30pm. I left Club One and proceeded to a local bar to have a cocktail. And there, I was greeted by my friend - Yoga Teacher - Jamie Lindsay.



Jamie Lindsay showed up for his first yoga class in jeans with pockets full of coins (to make change at his bartending job) which rolled out everywhere during Salamba Sarvangasana, striking upside-down yogis & yoginis all around him. And since that time, Jamie Lindsay has become a well established yoga teacher.

Again, I saw perseverance and discipline.

People sometimes say "oh, I wish could be like you."
People sometimes say, "Oh, I'm too old to change."
People sometimes say, "Oh, I'm TRYING to develop a better life"

Well it's not about living vicariously through others.
It's not about your age.
It's not about trying.
It's about doing.

So the next morning, I made a change. I phoned up my good friend, Ashkan.



And, we proceeded to Mission Cliffs. I choose to challenge my fear of heights. And, I went "rock climbing."



So as you go through your daily lives, don't be focused on the hallmark holidays, or the ideals of society. Go with your heart. Use perseverance and discipline. And "DO!"

A wonderful 44th birthday it was ..

Wishing the best of all possible worlds,
Yoga Teacher,
AIDS Lifecycle Cyclist,
tony

P.s.
Check out my invitation to: Oprah Winfrey & Harpo Productions

Attention: Afro American Yoga Teachers & Donation Yoga Teachers

With each day, I contemplate what information/knowledge I can give to my students and myself.

And presently, I'm searching out information on "African American and/or African Decent" - Certified Yoga Teachers and/or Donation Yoga Teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Therefore, if you know of a yoga teacher .. . .. pass the word.
And, if you are one . . email me the following information (and I'll post it).


1. Brief Yoga Bio.(Ex. Years of teaching, years of practice, what brought you to yoga, etc).
2. Style of Yoga (Ex. Astanga, Vinyasa, Iyengar, Power, Kundalini, Bhakti, etc.)
3. A Picture in a "j.peg" format
4. Website and/or email address
5. Locations & times of yoga classes
6. Weblinks to reviews and/or testimonials

I'm creating these new webpages right now ... .Check them out: Afro American Yoga Teachers

Donation Yoga Classes

Wishing the best of all possible worlds,
Iyengar Yoga teacher, tony eason
ynottony.com

Tour De Castro - An AIDS LifeCycle Fundraiser

And, a grand day it was . . . the wise, the pretty, the glamorous, the fat, the thin, the not so thin, and people of all sexual orientations gathered for "a Race, Bar Crawl, Costume Extravaganza, Raffle and Fundraiser benefiting AIDS Lifecycle Bike Riders in need of donations
to reach the minimum on registration day - Tour De Castro.

Each team was given a tricycle with the opportunity to win "best dressed Trike".  And then, at five minute intervals, they proceeded on a bar crawl.

Here's the route:

1.  Start at 16th  & Noe Streets.
2.  Go to The Metro and receive bar sticker from non.
3.  Leave The Metro and cross 15th Street continuing allong Market St.  Go one block to Castro St.
4.  Cross Castro Str. Turn Left. Cross Market St. continue along Castro.
5.  Stop at 440 Castro and receive drink sticker from Nun.
6.  Leave 440 and continue south on Castro towards 18th St.
7.  Cross 18th Str. Enter Harvey's and get that drink sticker. Get back o the trike.
8.  Continue east along 18th and cross Castro St. Turn left. Cross 18th St.
9.  Turn right on 18th and continue east to The Mix. Get your drink sticker.
10.  Continue east on 18th Str. to Hartford.  Turn right and cross 18th.
11. Take and immediate left and cross Hartford.  Enter Moby Dick's for another drink sticker.
12.  Back in the saddle, you will continue east along 18th St. and cross Noe St.
13.  Turn left and cross 18th St. continuing north along Noe Str. Cross 17th St.
14.  Continue on orth along Noe St. to 16th Str. Cross 16th St. then turn left and cross Market St.
15.  Enter Cafe Flore and receive your final Drink sticker.  Get back on the trike.
16.  Hurry to the finish line!
17.  Return your numbers and completed verification card to the registration table.
18.  Now have a cocktail and wait to see who wins!

Here's the "Best of Show:"

 

 

After leaving the Tour De Castro, I went for bike ride through Golden Gate Park.   And, as I road through the park, I witnessed the very tail end of the American Cancer Society's - "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" - Breast Cancer Walk.  And I reflected on my experiences during the AIDS LifeCycle Events.

I remembered: the sense of completion, the feeling of exhaustion, the questions of "where do I go from here," and the thoughts of "how to explain what one has experience physically, and emotionally" after completing a charity event. . . .

And then, I remembered the importance of letting someone know that you understand and support what they are doing.  So. . I approached an American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Walk Participant and offered a hug.

I told her, "I understand what you've been through.  And, I appreciate what you're doing." 
She told me, "You've brightened my day."

And I told her, "No - you have brightened 'my' day . . "

And a wonderful day it was ...

Wishing the best of all possible worlds,

Yoga Teacher,

AIDS LifeCycle Cyclist,
Sponsor Tony for AIDS Lifecycle 2007

tony eason

P.s. Check out my new list of Afro American Yoga Teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Yoga Classes - City Hall - San Francisco

On 08 October, 2006, I continued with my intention of teaching free yoga classes on the lawn of San Franciso's City Hall. And, a most wonderful day it was .. ..

At 10:00am. May and I began the Surya Namaskar A Yoga Sequence. We then proceed to find repose in Virabhadrasana I. Followed by Virabhadrasana II. And then, Parsvokanasana.

Soon later, a rather large man approached me.

He asked me, "do you mind if I join in?"
I smiled. Laughed. Looked at May. And told him, "sit down."

I asked him, "do you have any challeges or ailments that I should be aware of?"
He told me, "I have chronic lumbar pain. I'm on methadone, vicodin, morphine, and today, I started taking ibuprofen."

I refocused the yoga sequence to accomidate lower lumbar pain.

May, the new yogi, and I proceeded with modified versions of BHARADVAJASANA, Marichyasana, and Jathara Parivartanasana

Our new yogi then stood up. And told me, "you are a gift from god. I feel better already."

He then began to walk through the park. Tet five minutes later, he returned and asked for a flyer. He stated, "I want to take one of your flyers to my group meeting."

What more could a teacher ask then to have the possibility to help someome work through their pain.

A wonderful day it was.

Wishing the best of all possible worlds,
Iyenar Yoga Teacher,

AIDS LifeCycle Cyclist

tony

P.s Don't forget about my shout out to Harpo Productions & Oprah Winfrey

AIDS LifeCycle Cyclist - Shivie Cook offers Kundalini Yoga Classes

AIDS LifeCycle Cyclist -  Shivie Cook - Offer's Kundalini Yoga at Gold's Gym

KUNDALINI YOGA: An uplifting blend of spiritual and physical practices, this yoga style
AIDS LifeCycle Cyclist - Shivie Cook - Offer's Kundalini Yoga at Gold's Gym

KUNDALINI YOGA: An uplifting blend of spiritual and physical practices, this yoga style incorporates movement, dynamic breathing techniques, meditation, and the chanting of mantras, such as Sat nam ("I am truth"). The goal is to build physical vitality and increase consciousness.

BASIC PRINCIPLES: Using sound, breath, and posture, Kundalini Yoga aims to develop spiritual awareness by freeing the serpent power (kundalini) that is coiled in the base of the spine and drawing it upward through the seven chakras.

WHO FOUNDED IT:

Kundalini Yoga has its roots in the Tantric Yoga tradition, which dates back to the eighth century. In 1969, Sikh leader Yogi Bhajan(born in 1929) brought the practice to North America.

(born in 1929) brought the practice to North America.

WHERE TO DO IT:
Gold's Gym in SOMA
1001 Brannon Street (9th and Brannan)
San Francisco, CA.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006 - 8pm
Friday, October 20th, 2006 - 8.30am.
Don't worry if you are not a member - drop in rates are available at $10 a class. And if you are finacially challenged, rumor has it, Shiv just might just have a free pass for ya ...but for sure, something can be worked out.

This is a great opportunity to enhance one's cycling performance and bring Kundalini Yoga into a mainstream gym. Shiv's classes will be held on a one month trial period. Therefore, we need the support of the AIDS LifeCycle Community to insure it's success. (Also, let other's in your community know about it). "Pass the word."

Come and join in for dynamic breathwork, postural alignment (asana), meditation and Naad (sacred sound)...



If you would like further information please do not hesistate to contact Shivie Cook directly at : bodhisattva94115@yahoo.co.uk

Wishing the best of all possible worlds,
Iyengar Yoga teacher,
tony