Yoga Intro

[Guest guest]

I've been "practicing" Yoga for nearly 10 years.

 

It came about after I became Vegan for moral/ethical/animal-rights

issues.

 

I wanted to feel better and use my new energy for more meaningful

purposes in helping to make this a better world for those who cannot

speak for themselves.

 

Yoga just seemed like the natural direction.

 

My first teacher was in her mid-70's and had an Australian accent that

made the learning process flow with excitement and humor.

 

One year I rescued 15 dogs after Hurricane Andrew. I would waken early

to walk them in groups, then do 30 minutes of Yoga. It was then that I

developed sciatica and used Yoga to help me out of it.

 

Since then, I have had 2 operations in which I declined anesthesia and

concentrated on my breathing instead (in addition to fasting

beforehand). I was lucky enough to find doctors that understood, and my

recovery times have been record-setters!

 

My attempts at meditation have been wonderful, but I am a Type A and

find it hard to just 'sit there', so I use Yoga as my meditation with

movement.

 

After participating in Hatha for years, I discovered Bikram and became

enamored. This was my style of Yoga/exercise and I now do it daily by

myself at home in the evenings.

 

Then, I was introduced to the Tibetan Rituals. I only do the first 5,

but have tailored it with other asanas to increase my daily routine in

the morning.

 

So, with the combination of Yoga and Veganism, I started up 2 clubs

where I worked (Environmental and Vegetarian & Cruelty-Free). We changed

the face of the campus and were written up on numerous occasions in

local newspapers and magazines.

 

I then became a core member of EarthSave for 2 years.

 

Sign language is my other passion, besides rollerblading and bicycling

which I do daily for many miles.

 

I now moderate a discussion list for South Florida Vegans, although it

encompasses people internationally. Even though we have 150 members,

there are actually over 300 people involved!

 

[ Anyone interested, can sign up at:

//SoFlaVeganDinners ]

 

Additionally, I organize Monthly Vegan Dinners at local restaurants to

show that Vegans can go out to eat and to have the restaurants alter

their menus for a more compassionate meal. We average over 50 people per

dinner.

 

To finish my story and go full circle, I returned to my original Yoga

instructor who is now in her mid-80's and makes me jealous as I watch

her postures. I strive to be like her at that age!

 

FIDYL

S. Fla.

Live Simply So That

Others May Simply Live