“Mobile meditation… trains you to have your mind be still when your body is active, which is how you are in everyday life.” ~ Marty Kibiloski


Freed says that Biblical text often references the body: King David, in the Book of Psalms, says, “Let all my bones praise the creator.” The Jewish Talmud refers to a rabbi that “stretched his spine with a prayer of gratitude.” Yet, Freed observes, the physical elements of daily spiritual practice have been largely forgotten over the centuries. When he discovered yoga, it filled a gap for him. “I found a way to draw upon this incred- ible spiritual literature but ground it in the body, so that experience is not just in the head, but also in the heart.” Thus, Freed founded Bibliyoga,


which launches each class with a He- brew or Kabbalistic teaching, followed by poses that incorporate its themes, as reflected in his book, The Kosher Sutras: The Jewish Way in Yoga and Meditation. The practice, now taught in cities around the United States and


Europe, has prompted the birth of simi- larly religion-infused classes, including Christ Yoga, and the Jewish Yoga Net- work. “A lot of people separate things, saying they’ll get their spirituality from one place and their exercise from some- where else,” says Freed. “I think they are missing out.”


Mindful Sports The spirituality-exercise link likewise resonates through other traditionally solo pursuits such as triathlon activities and running, in which many athletes say a more mindful approach to training has infused their sport with more mean- ing, and in some cases, improved their performances.


Ironman Marty Kibiloski, for- merly a competitive marathoner and road racer, led what he terms a “high achievement, low contentment” life


How to Choose the Right Yoga Class


by Amy Erickson


ust as all yoga studios, classes or teach- ers are different, potential yoga students are different, too, and have individual reasons for wanting to begin a yoga class. People begin practicing yoga for many reasons: stress relief, injury recovery, fitness, spiritual practice and help with medical conditions such as anxiety or high blood pressure. There are a variety of yoga styles as well. To choose a yoga class that fits individual goals, consider the following: Styles of Yoga. Although most incor- porate breathing and stretching, there are a


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variety of yoga styles available. You should have a general idea of your expectation and the type of yoga you wish to pursue, such as kundalini, heat, kripalu, iyengar, power, hatha, bikram and restorative. Referrals. Ask friends, family or co-


workers about their yoga experiences. Whether people have a good experience or a bad one, they are often eager to share. Research. Visit


a studio or teacher’s website. Check out the “About Me” page. Many will share what brought them to yoga and how it changed


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for years, measuring his self-worth by timed results that never quite satisfied him. In 2006, he attended a Running with the Mind of Meditation three-day workshop, based on Rinpoche Sakyong Mipham’s book of the same name. The retreat combined with his newfound interest in Buddhism, completely rede- fined running for him.


Kibiloski prefers to steer clear of


the word “spiritual” (which he sees as somewhat ambiguous) when describing what he now experiences when run- ning. Instead, he frames it as a vehicle for self-discovery, a mobile meditation that provides the intense focus and free- dom from distraction that enables him to “awaken to how things really are.” He now leads the retreat that


proved pivotal for him, drawing more than 100 runners each Labor Day weekend to the Shambhala Mountain Center, in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. Participants learn to focus on the ca- dence of their footfalls, their breathing and their surroundings to, as he puts it, “move meditation beyond the cushion.” He remarks, “It trains you to have your mind be still when your body is active, which is how you are in everyday life.”


their lives. You may find a common con- nection before even meeting them. Part of your research may include a visit to YogaAlliance.org, which offers a list of registered yoga teachers by area. Inquiries. Call or e-mail the teacher or studio to ask questions, such as, “Can I do yoga even if I have had a knee replace- ment?” (The answer is yes, but find a teacher that understands any limitations so you are safe.) Visits. Take a visit to the studio. If you need a place to feel safe and release emo- tions, a noisy gym will offer a different setting than a studio with low lights and candles. Trials. Many studios offer discounted


rates for new students so you can try classes without a lot of financial invest- ment.


Amy Erickson, of Enstasy Yoga, in Coon Rapids, is a registered yoga teacher, ayurvedic yoga specialist and Reiki master who offers individual and small-group yoga classes. For more information, visit EnstasYoga.com. See ad, page 24.


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