Hello friends, and welcome to this month’s Joyinmovement
newsletter.
newsletter.
Pictured above with me is my Yoga teacher, Mark Horner.
This month in honor of Valentine’s Day and Yoga, which has for many
years now occupied a special place in my heart, I decided to do
something I’ve not done before with this newsletter: an interview. I
posed some questions to Mark to help us all better appreciate the
interplay in our lives of a Yoga practice. Mark has practiced Yoga for
over 26 years and has been teaching since 1991. He owns his own Yoga
school in Walnut Creek, California. He also spent 8 years as a
practicing Certified Rolfer. His understanding of Yoga is comprehensive,
and anyone who has studied with him would say he walks his talk and
doesn’t teach what he does not already embody. I have been Mark’s
student for 2 years and I thank him for giving us his time and attention
through this interview!
This month in honor of Valentine’s Day and Yoga, which has for many
years now occupied a special place in my heart, I decided to do
something I’ve not done before with this newsletter: an interview. I
posed some questions to Mark to help us all better appreciate the
interplay in our lives of a Yoga practice. Mark has practiced Yoga for
over 26 years and has been teaching since 1991. He owns his own Yoga
school in Walnut Creek, California. He also spent 8 years as a
practicing Certified Rolfer. His understanding of Yoga is comprehensive,
and anyone who has studied with him would say he walks his talk and
doesn’t teach what he does not already embody. I have been Mark’s
student for 2 years and I thank him for giving us his time and attention
through this interview!
Even if you are not currently a Yoga practitioner, please
read on. There is still much to be gained from hearing what Mark has to
say as it relates to many aspects of our lives, not only a Yoga
practice. Also, at the end of this month’s newsletter I have a bunch of
updates for you on my upcoming schedule and offerings so stay tuned.
Now, on to my interview with Mark.
read on. There is still much to be gained from hearing what Mark has to
say as it relates to many aspects of our lives, not only a Yoga
practice. Also, at the end of this month’s newsletter I have a bunch of
updates for you on my upcoming schedule and offerings so stay tuned.
Now, on to my interview with Mark.
#1 Yoga is
so often defined as the “union of body and mind.” We have discussed that
the body, in particular, needs to be functional before it is “united”
so you don’t bring together dysfunction. I think this is essential for
people to understand and recognize in their own bodies. Can you please
explain this further?
so often defined as the “union of body and mind.” We have discussed that
the body, in particular, needs to be functional before it is “united”
so you don’t bring together dysfunction. I think this is essential for
people to understand and recognize in their own bodies. Can you please
explain this further?
The “body and mind” are not two separate things, but
one substance manifesting different qualities. Body is the physical
expression of mind, and mind is the subtle aspect of body. It is
impossible to say where one begins and the other ends. Dysfunctional
thinking obstructs the natural processes of the body, while habitual and
unconscious body use disturbs the mind. It is circular, and
part of a single pattern rooted in avidya (ignorance). Even the concept
“uniting body and mind”, which is so popular today, is but an
expression of avidya, reflecting the ego’s habit of separative thinking.
one substance manifesting different qualities. Body is the physical
expression of mind, and mind is the subtle aspect of body. It is
impossible to say where one begins and the other ends. Dysfunctional
thinking obstructs the natural processes of the body, while habitual and
unconscious body use disturbs the mind. It is circular, and
part of a single pattern rooted in avidya (ignorance). Even the concept
“uniting body and mind”, which is so popular today, is but an
expression of avidya, reflecting the ego’s habit of separative thinking.
Healing this avidya requires the conscious
investigation and ultimate transcendence of fixed habits of thinking and
behaving which distort and limit awareness. Hatha Yoga provides many
practices for this, beginning with the physical body (the grossest
aspect of the human being). Through the skillful practice of karana,
asana, and bandha, dullness and density (tamasic qualities) are
decreased, and the body is enlivened. This opens pathways into the
subtle aspects of breath, energy, perception, and thought. Integration
and functionality follows.
investigation and ultimate transcendence of fixed habits of thinking and
behaving which distort and limit awareness. Hatha Yoga provides many
practices for this, beginning with the physical body (the grossest
aspect of the human being). Through the skillful practice of karana,
asana, and bandha, dullness and density (tamasic qualities) are
decreased, and the body is enlivened. This opens pathways into the
subtle aspects of breath, energy, perception, and thought. Integration
and functionality follows.
In summary, while the body and mind can be
conceptualized as different, this is illusory. They are one. The
transformation from dysfunction to function shows as the gradual dawning
of this realization, and the lived expression of it. When this
condition of ONENESS is realized as having always been the case, the
idea that there is some thing that needs to be united with another thing
will dissolve.
conceptualized as different, this is illusory. They are one. The
transformation from dysfunction to function shows as the gradual dawning
of this realization, and the lived expression of it. When this
condition of ONENESS is realized as having always been the case, the
idea that there is some thing that needs to be united with another thing
will dissolve.
#2 How do we find or recognize a yoga teacher who is a
capable guide and who understands how to teach from principles so that
we are not being merely lead through a stretching routine?
capable guide and who understands how to teach from principles so that
we are not being merely lead through a stretching routine?
Finding a teacher that EMBODIES what they are teaching
is essential. It is one thing to understand principles in the
mind but owning them bodily is something else. The sincere and
keen student must learn to recognize the difference between these two.
The capable teacher “walks their talk”, which has been cultivated from
years of personal practice and teaching. They are able to demonstrate
clearly in their body what they teach. In addition, the energetics of
the yoga are alive in them and therefore palpable to the student who
knows how to observe. In this way, the keen student can “pick up” the
teaching directly at a non-verbal level from such a teacher.
is essential. It is one thing to understand principles in the
mind but owning them bodily is something else. The sincere and
keen student must learn to recognize the difference between these two.
The capable teacher “walks their talk”, which has been cultivated from
years of personal practice and teaching. They are able to demonstrate
clearly in their body what they teach. In addition, the energetics of
the yoga are alive in them and therefore palpable to the student who
knows how to observe. In this way, the keen student can “pick up” the
teaching directly at a non-verbal level from such a teacher.
While the capable teacher may teach a practice that
APPEARS linear (with stages, levels, techniques, etc), they source their
wisdom from a timeless, non-linear place, and continuously point the
student towards this understanding. They are open and respectful to
their students and treat them with compassion without consoling them.
They are demanding and expect a strong effort from their students and
are not interested in a mediocre engagement of their teaching. They
teach a WHOLE, integrated practice, and do not fragment the yoga into
parts.
APPEARS linear (with stages, levels, techniques, etc), they source their
wisdom from a timeless, non-linear place, and continuously point the
student towards this understanding. They are open and respectful to
their students and treat them with compassion without consoling them.
They are demanding and expect a strong effort from their students and
are not interested in a mediocre engagement of their teaching. They
teach a WHOLE, integrated practice, and do not fragment the yoga into
parts.
Whether a student has the vision to RECOGNIZE this
kind of a teacher, and the depth of interest and inner strength to
engage them is another thing (see question below about the qualities of
the keen student).
kind of a teacher, and the depth of interest and inner strength to
engage them is another thing (see question below about the qualities of
the keen student).
#3 Many of the people reading the joyinmovement
newsletters utilize a yoga practice as a complimentary activity to their
other movement practices (endurance sports, tennis, skiing, strength
training etc). One of the clear benefits derived from yoga when used
this way is that it gets blood into the muscles you’ve used in sports
activities. With that blood comes heat and nutrients which both help
recovery. Can you please tell us other benefits we get when we use yoga
as a part of an overall active lifestyle?
newsletters utilize a yoga practice as a complimentary activity to their
other movement practices (endurance sports, tennis, skiing, strength
training etc). One of the clear benefits derived from yoga when used
this way is that it gets blood into the muscles you’ve used in sports
activities. With that blood comes heat and nutrients which both help
recovery. Can you please tell us other benefits we get when we use yoga
as a part of an overall active lifestyle?
Yoga develops skillful body use. This brings
efficiency in action, and a higher level of functioning. The result is
less wear and tear on the joints, muscles, organs, etc, plus more
enjoyment of the activity. Yoga also brings clarity and discrimination
to the mind, which allows awareness to penetrate into places in the
body/mind that are obscured behind shadows of unawareness. This leads
to a more complete and easeful engagement of physical activity by
eliminating contradictory impulses which create strain and tension.
Yoga also develops responsiveness. Instead of pushing the body like a
machine while ignoring dangers signs (which is very common in many
athletic pursuits), yoga teaches us to be better listeners, and to
respond skillfully to the messages the body sends.
efficiency in action, and a higher level of functioning. The result is
less wear and tear on the joints, muscles, organs, etc, plus more
enjoyment of the activity. Yoga also brings clarity and discrimination
to the mind, which allows awareness to penetrate into places in the
body/mind that are obscured behind shadows of unawareness. This leads
to a more complete and easeful engagement of physical activity by
eliminating contradictory impulses which create strain and tension.
Yoga also develops responsiveness. Instead of pushing the body like a
machine while ignoring dangers signs (which is very common in many
athletic pursuits), yoga teaches us to be better listeners, and to
respond skillfully to the messages the body sends.
#4 Can you
give us a few general pointers about establishing a home based yoga
practice (postures give the most bang for the buck etc)?
give us a few general pointers about establishing a home based yoga
practice (postures give the most bang for the buck etc)?
What is best for one student, may not be for
another. Students vary in their depth of self-understanding, their
skill in Hatha Yoga, and their patterns of obstruction. All this must
be taken into account when designing a personal practice.
another. Students vary in their depth of self-understanding, their
skill in Hatha Yoga, and their patterns of obstruction. All this must
be taken into account when designing a personal practice.
But in general, the following asanas are essential,
and a solid personal practice should be designed to at least make them
accessible if they are not yet so: mayurasana, mandukasana,
padmasana, paschimottanasana, gomukasana, samakonasana,
hanumanasana, sirsasana, sarvangasana, and bhujangasana. There are
others that are also important, but these will develop a good foundation
to build upon.
and a solid personal practice should be designed to at least make them
accessible if they are not yet so: mayurasana, mandukasana,
padmasana, paschimottanasana, gomukasana, samakonasana,
hanumanasana, sirsasana, sarvangasana, and bhujangasana. There are
others that are also important, but these will develop a good foundation
to build upon.
Consistency is also key. On and off practice will not
bear fruit and is hard on the body. Doing a little bit daily will be
more useful than longer practice session done sporadically.
bear fruit and is hard on the body. Doing a little bit daily will be
more useful than longer practice session done sporadically.
#5 What are the qualities of a keen student?
The keen student approaches their teacher with
openness, respect, and trust. They take full responsibility for
themselves and are not seeking to be consoled or entertained. They
show patience and persistence, and steadiness, staying the course even
when difficulty or discomfort arise. They are committed, and do not
“shop” around, chasing after the latest gimmicks.
openness, respect, and trust. They take full responsibility for
themselves and are not seeking to be consoled or entertained. They
show patience and persistence, and steadiness, staying the course even
when difficulty or discomfort arise. They are committed, and do not
“shop” around, chasing after the latest gimmicks.
The strong student is a good observer, opening
themselves to receive all they can from the teacher. They also strive
to simplify their lives by eliminating entangling attachments and
counterproductive life habits. This frees up energy and attention for
their practice.
themselves to receive all they can from the teacher. They also strive
to simplify their lives by eliminating entangling attachments and
counterproductive life habits. This frees up energy and attention for
their practice.
If you are interested in learning more about Mark, his
website is www.horneryoga.com.
I highly recommend the Yoga retreat he leads every summer in Homer,
Alaska. If you have never been to Alaska it is a MUST SEE place. It is
also a wonderful and relaxing way to have some fun exploring not only
Yoga but the great outdoors as well. I went with Mark a
few summers ago and I had a fantastic time!
website is www.horneryoga.com.
I highly recommend the Yoga retreat he leads every summer in Homer,
Alaska. If you have never been to Alaska it is a MUST SEE place. It is
also a wonderful and relaxing way to have some fun exploring not only
Yoga but the great outdoors as well. I went with Mark a
few summers ago and I had a fantastic time!
*As of February, I will be speaking at RoadRunner Sports
in San Diego every month so check my website or the RR Sports website
for dates and times.
in San Diego every month so check my website or the RR Sports website
for dates and times.
* My Yoga and Running Retreat will be in Sept of 2008.
I’ll post more about it very soon.
I’ll post more about it very soon.
* I’ll be in northern CA the weekend of April 26 offering
a three hour workshop which will include Z-Health, ChiWalking and other
fun health and fitness topics. I’m being sponsored by a psychologist
who wants her clients to learn more about health and movement, however
it is open to the public. If you are interested let me
know and I’ll forward you more information.
a three hour workshop which will include Z-Health, ChiWalking and other
fun health and fitness topics. I’m being sponsored by a psychologist
who wants her clients to learn more about health and movement, however
it is open to the public. If you are interested let me
know and I’ll forward you more information.
* I will be in the Phoenix area in early March as well as
in May, so if you are in the area or know anyone who’d be interested in
working with me one-on-one or who’d like to schedule a small group
class, spread the word. Thanks…….
in May, so if you are in the area or know anyone who’d be interested in
working with me one-on-one or who’d like to schedule a small group
class, spread the word. Thanks…….
Have a great month. Do something special for your heart,
keep moving and have fun!
keep moving and have fun!
Shelli
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