I mean really. Nobody is perfect. We all have something in our lives. Heaven knows I have much to regret. We can hope for more from people, but you can never put all your hope in one person.

I recently read very alarming reports of sexual misgivings of the founder of Ashtanga Yoga. I have a book called Guruji, experiences from Pattabhi Jois’ students over the years. It is a fascinating book that I’ve used to compile my feelings about my own journey with Ashtanga. Guruji always talked about 99% practice and 1% theory. But I’m the guy who wants to know the 1%. Unfortunately, there were recollections of Jois doing very inappropriate sexually invasive adjustments on his female students (I won’t be more explicit about it). People try to rationalize that it was just a cultural misunderstanding. But no matter how you look at it, it was very wrong. Once confronted by senior students and family, he stopped. But it still makes me look differently at such an esteemed teacher.

And just a few days ago, I saw a video of Iyengar. It disturbed me so much that I’d rather not show it. He was on this stage with lots of people in attendance. A young lady is seen laying down her mat and going into headstand. All the sudden, Iyengar walks over and slaps her hard on the back and then yanks her to the side. She hesitantly begins again. I was so amazed that a teacher could so brutally treat someone that way. And this was in full public view.

Its no secret that Iyengar and Jois were embattled with their different styles. Its amazing they were taught by the same teacher, Krishnamachurya. One time, an Iyengar student went to be trained by Jois. When she came back, she was publicly humiliated by Iyengar. He would ask her to show him an asana and then he would scream and berate her for how silly her asana was. Its one thing to disagree, but to use students as your whipping post for dissent is wrong.

I know people dislike talking about beliefs. Especially even my close friends in the U.S. who have grave disagreements with Christianity. I mean, some are more vocal than I could ever imagine. But most of us believe in some kind of higher power. Neo-Darwinists talk about a "life force" that pushes natural selection in a specific direction. They say there is no possible way that what happens could be due to chance alone. I have friends who will believe anything under the sky. Tarot cards, astrology, crystal magic, witches and the occult, the Universe; these are all fair game. But somehow Christians are crazy. They meditate into the ether and look for signs; and then say that prayers are just "nice". They really don’t mean anything.

What I would like to offer is an agreement. There is something out there. Maybe we can’t agree on what it is. Maybe our belief system is based on non-belief, but it is still a belief. Faith is defined as hope in something that is unseen. We don’t test every chair we sit on because they all look trustworthy. We sit with faith that it won’t fail. We trust in its structure. We have no reason to question its validity.

Yet one thing is true; never put all your trust in a person. People will always fail you. You give grace to those you love. You can always forgive. But they will fail. I guarantee that.

Find something to believe in my friends. If your belief is unbelief, then do that well. But don’t ridicule others for what they believe.

We’ve done Animal Yoga a few times; usually for Rocket 3. Its fun to use a different method for warming up than Sun Salutations every time.

First, I blame my wife’s dinner of Taco Salad, which is really filling. I thought, if I ate it at 330pm, it will be mostly digested by 7pm. Very wrong! If I feel full, my whole body is heavy and I can’t catch my breath.

So I led each traverse down the center strip with each Animal movement. We did bear crawls, crab walks, side monkey bounding, frog hops, and lizard crawls. My heart was beating hard and I worked up a sweat. But I still blame the food I ate. I mean, I do CrossFit and the workouts are a lot harder than what I just did.

Its really fun to change it up now and then. I do moon salutations on Moon Days. Yoga is always so much fun.

Very recently, I’ve had a lot of activity on my social media and email accounts. I was off Instagram for over a week because my account was suspended. No, I wasn’t doing anything radical that would warrant such barring. I had a security alert and decided to change my password. I logged out, and then couldn’t log back in.

The problem is, I had an old account that I decided I’d try to log in there too, but no success. And since Facebook owns Instagram, I started getting messages from there. And when you appeal to fix a problem, its Facebook who is managing the interactions. Mind you, most of this is automated. You don’t really talk with anyone. There isn’t an email or phone number to call. You definitely can’t walk up to a physical help desk and ask for help. Its like fantasy land out there. I couldn’t even open a new Instagram account since emails, Facebook, or even my IP addresses were flagged. There was no way to win.

Then, since I was communicating with all these automated bots, my Gmail asked for verification of logging into a different device or different location. And since they considered it suspicious, they locked down the account I was communicating with Facebook on. Now, not only was I not receiving regular mail, I was also not receiving the alerts and codes I needed to solve my Instagram problem. Then they shut down my regular Gmail. I had to log in and "verify account" every time I did anything.

I was wondering what’s next? I mean, these emails are connected with checking accounts, credit cards, insurance companies, all this stuff. What happens when all of these connected networks go haywire? What happens when you can’t start your car or get into your house? When you go to get groceries and can’t even pay with your card? When my internet connected phone at work goes down and I can’t even call 9-1-1?

It makes you think the Conspiracy scenarios will come true. That the Terminator Salvation with Sky Net will come to life. The robots will take over. That the 1980’s movie War Games with WOPR intelligent computer systems that are deciding responses for humans will cause Global Thermonuclear Warfare. Its not such an impossibility anymore.

"WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY A GAME?" [choose Tic-Tac-Toe]

I’m the guy who never enjoyed being sung to by Christmas Carolers. In fact, I’d jump down and hide behind the couch before ever being subject to such a thing. I mean, they’re all singing their hearts out and looking at you. What am I supposed to do? Have an awkard smile for however long the song or songs are sung? And since I don’t like being sung to, I don’t sing to others like that either. Its just not what I do.

I’ve led the Ashtanga invocation and closing, which is a long mantra. But I don’t do it often and its a struggle. For one thing, my classes are mostly women and I don’t have a very soprano voice. So finding a key that everyone is comfortable with is not easy. The same with Om’s. They are hard to find the pitch. I do enjoy it sometimes, but it is the only mantras I ever do.

So for Kirtan or anything like it, its not something I volunteer to do. Yeah, I’ll sing at church when there are a lot of people facing in the same direction and people can’t really hear me. I sing to myself all the time. I sing strongly while traveling. I used to sing cadence when I was a Drill Instructor and was pretty good at it. But those troops weren’t looking directly at my face (or I’d smoke them like a cheap cigar 🙂 ). So yoga singing is not something I enjoy.

Also, breath clearing or cleansing is not something I do. I love coffee in the morning. And as much as I’d like to say my breath is always minty fresh, coffee does something to it. So when you’re in child’s pose with your face on the mat and the teacher says, take a deep inhale into your back body and breathe out the mouth, I’m like "nah, I’m good". I always opt for my normal ujjayi breath instead. The same is true with Breath of Fire and other dynamic breathing (except ujjayi or Fire Breaths in Ashtanga). I just don’t enjoy mouth breathing most times.

Then there comes Body Pump in yoga class. Actually, I integrate a lot of things in my yoga. I teach Rocket Abs that is mostly Pilates based. But I still struggle with doing poses that look like Zumba Yoga. I mean, they say there are 80,000 asanas to choose from. Why do we have to make something up? Instead of doing Zumba, just do more yoga. But the main issue is my lower back. I know a lot of yogis who have back issues, so they are in the same boat. When I do a heavy squat or deadlift, I usually wear a weight belt. Competitive lifters use the valsalva maneuver where you take an inhale, hold your breath, lock down your core, and then do your lift. Then you breathe. Its how I was trained to save my back. More…

One time, I was in this Flex & Flow class, which is a Body Pump yoga style. We were in a forearm plank and the teacher had us rolling on our toes rocking our hips from side to side. And would’t you know it, my back totally went out. I didn’t think I’d be able to walk out of the room. And that led to a spiral of being bed-ridden for several days with about 3 months recovery. I’ve had similar or near misses when people had us go from Down Dog to hugging a knee to elbow. Instead of locking in your spine, you are rounding and releasing that control. So your spine becomes very vulnerable. I also don’t do a spinal roll to standing from a forward fold. Its just not smart for my spine. I lock it in flat and rise with strength. I’m ok with other people doing it, but I don’t do it in class nor do I ever teach these moves. I know there are people like me out there.

My last one is savasana with loud music. I know of some teachers who actually make the music louder once we get to savasana. I mean, isn’t it meant for peace and bliss? I don’t get the need to make it loud. You don’t turn up sound when you go to sleep. I always forget to take ear plugs or sound proof muffs when I go to those teachers. We get to savasana and I’m like "oh rats!!" I only have a little soothing sound on to drown out any ambient noises outside of the studio. Or even for coughs and people shifting inside the room. Its kind of like white noise. But I def don’t play it loud.

We all have quirks and things we like and dislike. I’m sure there is a lot to like and dislike about my classes too. And I’m totally OK with our differences. I don’t often do a regular practice on my own. I’d rather have someone lead me. And it may mean I have to do things I’m not comfortable with (to an extent). I just do my thang and we’re all happy.

Peace out, friends!!

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I have such fond memories of the friends I made when I was an Army Reserve Drill Instructor near Detroit, Michigan. We were such a melting post of people all in green uniforms. For some strange reason, those guys really loved me. The color of our skin was never an issue and most of the time, we had tons of fun with it.

I wish I could remember all their names. This one huge black guy in my Company always had a huge smile on his face and he loved to laugh. Whenever I’d see him, we’d jump in the air in a mutual chest bump. It was so hilarious!!

I had this young, quiet buck sergeant who was a heavy smoker from the ghetto. He had a nickname for everybody. My first car was a Fiat X19 and my 2nd was a Ford Mustang. So he always called me "Hotrod". I never knew of him having a car, so somebody was always driving him places. He never wanted to meet right in front of his house, so I met him at a street corner. Let me say, it was kind of a scary neighborhood. It made our friendship that much more real.

There was this older white guy who was a mechanic. It was funny because the muscle cars he drove were always broken down. He was a Vietnam Vet with this grisled appearance. This guy always had black gunk under his fingernails with greasy hair and terrible uniform. He was quite possibly the worst example for a Drill Sergeant ever. But that guy was a Ninja in the woods. That was his element. When we got out there, everything just clicked for him. He’s the guy you want next to you in a foxhole.

I had this Hispanic Staff Sergeant who I greatly looked up to. He had such an even keel in his emotions and was a perfect example of what an Army Drill Instructor should be. When we did Infantry Drills and Tactics, he was always the lead guy in bringing common sense to what we were doing. He was a Vietnam Veteran and had been through many real firefights when he was there. He was also a Detroit Police officer. One day, he didn’t show up for drill. The pain he had seen and felt caught up with him and he had committed suicide.

I was a pretty STRAC soldier. Everyone respected me for that. But I was also a smart guy who was really physically fit. I was going to college at the time and had pretty much memorized all the Army manuals we used. And I moved up really fast getting my E-7 in 7 years. So when a question ever came up, they always turned to me. I loved calling cadence too, so I was the primary cadence caller. And I am a Native American, so they always thought I had some guru knowledge in the woods. Actually, I was pretty good. I remember in training courses I took, even the Rangers and Special Forces guys would tap me to lead patrols. Sometimes I just wanted to sleep, but always ended up on every recon mission so I could get them through the woods in the dark.

I remember one close friend. He was a black guy by the name of SSG Saunders. I remember he would drink pretty heavily when we went to Fort Benning. He was going to strip clubs and always had a big poster of some naked woman in his locker. Then, in a blink of an eye, he converted to Christianity. He did a total 180 from what I knew of him before. And he was always sharing what he found in his faith. It was so very profound.

I had this one young trooper who came in close to the time when I was leaving. He was shorter than me at about 5’5". But he had these huge shoulder and broad lats. He was a current college wrestler. And since I was a wrestler too, I really took him under my wing. I even sparred with him a bit, but man was that guy strong.

The only guy I remember not getting along with was this white guy. He was a bodybuilder and was super thick. I remember they couldn’t size his uniform well and it looked like he’d rip it open at any moment. I think he was charged with an Article 15 at one point since he tried to strangle his Lieutenant. There was a reason why he was so big. He took tons of steroids and was prone to roid rage. He always had huge boils on his face and back. And his heart wasn’t very strong. I’m surprised he could stay in the Army since he couldn’t pass a PT test. Yeah he could do pushups and situps. But he couldn’t run 2 miles to save his life.

I remember this one big black guy who was a member of the Detroit SWAT team. He had arranged for us to rappel off the biggest tower in downtown Detroit. But it happened after I had left. When it came to urban combat tactics, he was the perfect instructor for the job. He went well beyond the Army manuals. He also brought a bunch of tainted packages and bomb devices for our demolitions practice (fitting for today). I remember shaking his hand. His one hand could wrap around two of mine. He had this Barry White low voice. He once said "if you are captured and can see your captors eye to eye, you’re good to go. But once they cover your head, start praying to God, Jehovah, Allah, or whatever Supreme Being you believe in because its over". He was one cool cat.

And despite Michigan being thought of as an urban jungle from border to border, its the opposite. It is mostly rural land of forests and open spaces. Truth be told, most people of color didn’t often venture out of the big cities back then. The Michigan Militia and other alternative groups were known to roam the woods back then. Its where the Oklahoma City bomber, Timothy McVeigh got his start. So when we would do training over the Summer in Grayling, Michigan, it was always interesting to go out on the town. One time, I hopped in the car to go out to dinner. We pulled up to this Mom & Pop joint and one guy was a little nervous. He said "This doesn’t look good. We got Three Black Guys and an Indian. We’re in trouble!!" Haha, I was the Indian and I started to feel the same way.

Good times!

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I was so cocky how I thought I understood muscles in the body. I had the academic book knowledge, but not a functional, working knowledge. You’d think decades of lifting weights and studying iron sports that I would know better. I probably knew more than most. But now I know more.

Honestly, its never a guess as to what muscle is what. I still have a lot to learn. But its Thai Yoga Massage that has changed it all for me. And its helping me with my yoga teaching as well. I can see all the major skeletal muscles and know how they are connected, their structure, and how they interact with us in daily life.

Much of my education is in working with many different bodies. I’m learning the subtle nuances of similarities and differences. I’ve taken the guesswork out of bodywork. My teacher’s at Thai Bodywork have made it easy for me. I’m so excited to continue this journey.

I am a traditionalist. When I did martial arts, I really enjoyed the idea of traditional Gi’s, honoring the founders of an art, and bowing as respect. In Aikido, you turn and face away from the platform to take off your shoes before stepping up. Then you bow to the founder. When I watch Muay Thai fights as done in Thailand, I love the fighters adorned in feathers and garb entering the ring and doing the traditional Wai Kru ceremony. I love the Japanese tea ceremony. And any military honor, like you see at Arlington Cemetery, brings tears to my eyes.

My latest loves, being Yoga and Thai Yoga massage, took me to an acroyoga class last night taught by my fellow yoga teacher, Jodi. I’ve played with acro off and on over the years. But I’ve never truly embraced it or sought to practice it regularly. When I think of the asanas and the breath involved, it is totally a legit part of yoga despite its circus like appearance. But instead of only being responsible for yourself on the mat, you are responsible for another person. You both are working toward a mutual goal while holding each other in respect for safety.

So, being the curious person that I am, I recalled videos of Thai yoga massage practitioners also using acroyoga. If tradition holds, Thai yoga may have been the first introduction of acro yoga. It is used as a traditional therapy to release the spine into lengthening and twists. Since Thai yoga massage is really partner assisted yoga, it is fitting that acro finds an easy transition into this art.

I guarantee I’ll be exploring this more as I develop my Thai yoga massage practice. I’ve recently seen a connection to my love of Ashiatsu (back walking) massage and have included it in sessions. I also understand how chiropractic work also fits in. Traditional practitioners in Thailand do adjustments often. Then you have accupressure/accupunture, wooden massage tools, and herbal compresses. It is amazing the tools that are available for Thai yoga massage.

If we keep our minds open, there are so many possibilities. My yoga practice is looking more like Animal Yoga these days. And I have included a lot of Tai-Chi and martial arts influences, like a Budokon-style yoga. But also yoga with kettlebells and other implements, like an Iron Mace. It is so amazing how you can vary a yoga practice.

Just open your mind.

I just listened to the Mindful Strength podcast where Kathryn interviewed Richard Freeman, one of the first Western yogis to be trained by Pattabhi Jois in Ashtanga. He remarked that even at his older age, he still practices Ashtanga. He is not as flexible and doesn’t have the same stamina, but he still does it. But he also adds in other things, like weight training and pulling movements.

What was so profound to me was that he called these other movements part of Yogasana. They are yoga movements that are written in the Sutras. As a scientist, I usually want to see this proof for myself, so I suppose I had better dig into the books. He said pulling movements, like rowing and climbing are part of Yoga. And this makes me very happy.

I’ve said this before, a senior yoga teacher who I admire greatly was perplexed that she couldn’t even do one pull-up. Of all the movements in yoga, this pulling action is sorely lacking. There are several others as well, but this is the biggie. Body weight movements are great in that gravity is the resistance. You press down or lift off of the Earth and every point of pressure resists. But try taking that movement in another direction. Now lift something off the ground and put it overhead.

Again the scientist in me wants to test this. I hope someone already has. I’d like to gather a few yogis who excel at arm balances, jump-throughs, etc. and see how they do in the weight room. I’d like to test their deadlift, squat, bench press, and overhead strength. Pull-ups too! And while most gym rats would struggle with the aforementioned yoga poses, I wonder if it is truly a one-way street with yogis too?

Fortunately, several yogis who gravitate to my Rocket Yoga classes are also rock climbers and aerial yoga artists. Pole dancers too! Those movements are totally in the pulling strength realm. So for those few, they have it covered.

The definition of "Fitness" that I was taught in high school is the ability to successfully do your day’s work, whatever that may be, while being able to handle any emergency that comes up.

Examples:
-You are walking home from work and suddenly have to sprint across the street to miss a car.
-You hear a crash in the other room and realize a tall dresser has fallen on your child and you have to lift it off of them.
-Your car breaks down and you need to walk several miles to the gas station (no cell coverage).
-You need to unload a pickup truck full of unsplit firewood before work (me this morning).
-You are Jonesin for a pickle but can’t twist open the jar.

Be ready for everything friends. Yoga is great, but be sure to explore all of Yogasana and not just practice on your mat.