Everyday Life Lessons from Yoga
A Conversation with Baron Baptiste
by Linda Sechrist
F
or more than 20 years, Baron Baptiste, founder of Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga, has been an inspirational yoga teacher, author and leader in the realm of transformation. He has influenced the lives of hundreds of thousands of people all over the world across many cultures. Baptiste will be in Naples in April.
What is Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga?
Baptiste Yoga is a style of yoga focused on what creates results for people on the physical, mental and emotional levels, so that they can feel more empowered and at ease in their everyday lives. I developed this style of power yoga over many years of working with thousands of men, women and youths. It is meant to be adapted to an individual’s level of ability and encourages students to integrate universal and timeless spiritual principles into their daily lives.
What can students expect to learn at an all-day immersion training?
The immersion experience is a personal revolution and a wonderful introduc- tion to Baptiste Yoga. Even people who do not know what to expect leave feel- ing inspired to take their yoga practice and their life to a new level. Based on the feedback that I get, people leave feeling inspired to further develop their physical ability in poses; to strengthen their endurance, flexibility and energy; and to deal better with stress.
Why do yoga students feel like part of a global community?
Yoga means union, and in a sense, we are all connected via our humanity, regard- less of what culture we are from, the language we speak, our age or our circum- stances. Just as the universal language of music is felt in the body, people feel the rhythm and power of yoga in their body. Yoga is practiced throughout the world, regardless of any language or cultural barrier.
How has yoga helped you in your life?
It’s hard to imagine what life would be like without yoga, because it plays such a prominent role. Physically, it’s been there for me through all my phases—child- hood, teenage years, young adult and mature adult. In my teens and early 20s, I was athletic, surfed and participated in martial arts competitions. Yoga gave me a background for all the sports I participated in, a platform for all my training, and it helped me rebuild and heal any injuries. In my 30s, and now my 40s, yoga is my pillar as I enter new phases of life. In challenging times, yoga has been like a friend that helped me work through stress and emotions. It’s a tool that has helped me find peace and freedom as well as personal power. Yoga is an anchor in my life.
Which yoga skill is the most useful in everyday life?
In Baptiste Yoga, we put a great deal of emphasis on being present in the moment by connecting with the body, which we consider to be the anchor for the mind. For example, when an individual who lives largely in their head is asked to con-
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nect with their breath, foot or leg while holding a yoga pose, they immediately come into the present moment. This is a powerful tool to take off the mat and into everyday life. When we take the time throughout the day to con- nect again and again to our breath or our body, we are drawn away from the mental concepts and imaginings of the mind and back to our center. This simple act empowers us in all situations and in our relationships.
What advice do you give someone who wants to begin a yoga practice?
An all-day immersion experience is a great way to start a practice and intro- duce family and friends to yoga. Inex- perienced individuals generally leave inspired to connect with a Baptiste Yoga teacher and begin to practice. Practicing yoga daily for at least 20 to 30 minutes is more powerful than prac- ticing one hour, three times a week. A regular yoga practice has cumulative results: The body changes and becomes stronger, deals better with stress and enjoys enhanced energy flows. Indi- viduals who practice regularly enjoy an overall sense of well-being and ease within their own body.
info@byyoga.com or visit BVYoga.com. For information on the April 17 Personal Revolution All-Day Immersion at the Miami Convention Center, visit BaronBaptiste.com/ADI/ info.htm. See ad, inside front cover.
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