IAN'S YOGA BACKGROUND
There is a strong tendency in the Western world for students to become interested in yoga because they are seeking something "special" that involves the mind and deeper relaxation. But still, it appears that the primary attraction for most yoga practitioners today (in the West) are the extraordinary diversity of stunning physical postures that are beautifully & artistically expressive of the human form and seem to elicit the yoga practitioner's "special" abilities. Coming from many years of competitive triathlons, Ian was also initially drawn to the intensely physical side of the yoga, and for many years, practiced primarily Power yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa. Yet, year after year, Ian found that other, previously unfathomable, aspects of the unimaginably vast Hatha Yoga practice became more and more appealing to him: to the point where the physicality of the postural form actually became secondary to meditation, pranayama and more gentle styles of practice like Sivananda. Additionally, Ian found his body asking for less physically demanding ways of exploring asana and for more daily self-care using classic Ayurveda protocols: meal & sleep regularity, tongue scraping, jala neti, copper pot water, daily abhyanga, daily sweating (either through sauna and/or exercise), monitoring activities (like cleanses, fasts, food choices etc.) according to seasons, Jyotish & times of day/constitution (Vatta, Pitta, Kapha), Ayurveda diet/herbs/spices, daily puja, meditation and pranayama.
Summary
*Fitness – Ashtanga Vinyasa roots, some training with Sharath Jois
*Extensive Retreating – Yoga, Meditation, Vipassana, austerities, outdoor nature "shamanic" based residencies
*Playful exploration of other styles (numerous classes & workshops): Dharma Mittra, Bikram, some Anusara, Yin, Restorative, Kundalini etc.
* Level 1 – Vinyasa yoga certification Miami
*Extensive Sivananda Training: Beginner & Advanced Certifications. And continuing study.
*Ongoing Devotional Bhakti Practice within Satyananda Ashram – Institute for Holistic Yoga Miami
*Continuing Ayurveda Practitioner studies with New World Ayurveda
*Ongoing Amazonian Plant-based Shamanism "Dieta" austerities (undisclosed Amazonian Tribes)
The Dalai Lama on the definition of a Yogi: "A Yogi is a qualified retreat practitioner"