Russ Peters

My path to Evolve Yoga began with the martial art of Aikido and the practice of Buddhist meditation. Unfortunately, bad knees won’t endure the low twisting motions required to be an active Aikidoist.  So… martial arts + meditation => why not try yoga? 

One of my first yoga classes found me, naively, in a Saturday morning Level 2/3 class, three feet from a blazing hot cast iron stove. “Inverted Down Dog on the Wall” had me shaking in an expanding pool of sweat.  At age 55, overweight and out of shape, I’m lucky to have survived my first three years of yoga. Now five plus years later, I endeavor to keep from struggling; nearly every class is physically challenging. 

Through yoga I have found ‘Sangha’ (community). The positive feedback of like-minded participants in a common practice is such a strong motivator the Buddha named it as one of the “Three Jewels” of Buddhism.  I experienced the extraordinary power of community one day at Evolve when I set my mat up between two experienced yogis. I literally ‘felt’ the energy flowing between them and through me as we synced ourselves into a common practice.  My energy level was boosted so dramatically that I coined the term ‘Piggybacking’ to describe the experience.

What would I tell myself if I could step back in time to that Saturday morning five years ago? I think it would be something like: “Work hard (my tendency), but not too hard”, “Be patient with yourself (not my tendency), you’re in it for the long haul”, and “Don’t look up; it may scare you” (good advice for anyone who doesn’t know what they’re getting into).  

Oh… and “No Jumping!” 

A friend, who I admire greatly for her strength and courage, recently confided in me that she found her new edge. I understand the metaphorical edge well and her story afforded me an opportunity to reflect on my personal edge and how yoga prepared me for profound change and transformation.

 My edge appeared as suddenly as a ridge top cornice collapsing on a sublime bluebird powder day; at 31 years old I was diagnosed with cancer. After weeks of incredible neck pain, doctors found a large tumor which fractured my C2 vertebral body. Most of us can imagine that “whomping” sound as the cornice gives way, the ensuing flurry of snow, and the eerie quiet that follows. Within a few deep breaths, I viscerally knew I would be okay.

 Two years prior to finding my new edge, I began taking private yoga lessons with Kim. I am a big guy more suited for standing in a river with a fly rod and a beer, than standing on my mat among hard-bodied aspiring yoginis.  Yoga was my plan to save my body from years of hockey, rugby and skiing. At that time, I had no idea yoga would not only save my body, but also my mind.

 I now realize the visceral comfort I mentioned before was more than a gut feeling, but an expression of my yoga practice; those first few deep breaths after the cornice gave way connected my mind and body. 

 Intuitively, I leaned into the lessons learned while on my mat. 

 The first lesson was acceptance, connecting with my true inner-self and realizing no matter what that my “best” is exactly that, my “best”. The inspired lessons and nourished spirit afforded through my yoga practice allowed me to be present and know that no matter what, I was going to do my “best” regardless of the outcome.

 The second lesson was letting go. 

 Letting go of my fear and using my yoga practice as my belay, I began to explore my new edge. I now live on this edge, happy and unafraid; sometimes leaning way over to remind myself how fortunate I am. I often imagine, while in downward-facing dog (or more recently turbo dog) transcending the edge and while ramping up my breath breathing in a curious wind which travels up from the unknown washing out stagnant air unnaturally borne by living with cancer.

 I find it much healthier to identify with my new edge, as I am in control of my journey, rather than my cancer diagnosis. My edge is treatable, but presently has no cure – no physical way to replace the ground (or snow) in front of me. This creates a unique opportunity to spiritually build something anew, grounded in my practice and supported by my breath allowing me to live fuller and more nourished life.

 I encourage you to find your edge, whatever it may be (hopefully in wellness, but perhaps not), explore the transformation that comes with connecting with your true inner-self and letting go of your fears. 

 I encourage you to roll your mat out and transcend beyond your edge. 

Erin Kilbury

What do you do for fun?

            Aside from yoga, my next great love is skiing.  It was the catalyst for my journey to this beautiful state that now feels like home in my bones.  Hiking up mountains and the flow of charging down them are some of the most satisfying and thrilling experiences of my life.  I live for the quiet moment right before dropping into a new run, the high quality of attention that the mountains demand, face-shots, deep powder and the speed that comes from my powerful legs.  Backcountry ski days turn me on! 

            I also love to cook, hike, bike, read (almost always about yoga, anatomy, food, Buddhism or another related topic), listen to music, learn new activities (last year I learned to snowboard, paddleboard and surf), travel and spend time with my friends, my family, my partner, Eric, and our dog, Cola. 

What’s your favorite pose and why?

            Today my favorite pose is anything with lotus.  Lotus, Lotus in Handstand, Lotus with Cobra over the roll, Shoulder Stand with Lotus and any other variation.  It has taken me twenty-six years to fold my legs in this crazy way and doing it for even one breath delights me.  Yesterday, by myself, I folded my legs into lotus while in handstand for the very first time and then fell out immediately because I was so surprised! 

Lotus represents a lot of quit points, triggers and wins for me and is ripe for my exploration.  For so long I would beat myself up about not being able to get my legs to cross and fold, even half lotus was excruciating and my attitude was “whatever… my hips are never going to open.”  Something switched, I started practicing in a way that fed my hips rather than putting them down.  I now practice in a way that isn’t attached to outcome rather I’m more curious about feeling, what’s going on there?  There are days when full lotus isn’t happening for my body or where my attitude goes back to that old habitual thinking, “my hips aren’t good enough, my feet hurt, my ankles are tight wah wah wah…” On those days I congratulate myself for catching it and then I go into feeling because feeling deeply IS a habit I want to strengthen.

What inspires you to teach?

            My teachers inspire me to teach.  It’s called sharing the merit.  When I feel the positive effects of my own practice or experience I then hope that others may feel it too and I accredit my teachers for my growth and realizations.  There is an opportunity for growth in every experience.  I strive to absorb those lessons and in my learning I then yearn to share.  My teachers come in many shapes and forms, breath, four-legged ones, nature, the weather, people and experiences.  Teaching is a way for me to integrate them all and share my form of creativity, healing and joy.

I am deeply inspired by the mindful playfulness that is integrated into every class I have taken with Mike Matsumara.  I can never forget the way Cheryl Deer stays connected to an entire room of people while working with one person delivering the yummiest assists.  Matt Sanford teaches me a new way to listen every time we meet.  Ana Forrest blows my mind so that I can wake up and feel.  Kim Greef has invited me to dig deeper, to listen and to use my voice.   These are some lessons and styles of teaching I want to share.

From my Spirit:

I thrive with conscious movement.  I love feeling deeply connected with my breath in my body and my mind serving my body with gratitude for my aliveness.  I love the moments of unobstructed presence when I feel completely aligned with the dance of my life.  Some things that help me do this are the four agreements – Be impeccable with my word, don’t take anything personally, don’t make assumptions, and always do my best.  When I feel my worst I cuddle up with it and get to know it instead of doing a power dance with struggle.  In these struggle-free moments of clarity and full feeling I am astounded by the beauty of my humanity and in awe of the mystery of life.  Connection with others comes easy and silence is sweet.  There’s no need for words, however, when shared they are enjoyed deeply.  There’s a fresh, rich feeling that happens when my connection to self extends into my connection with others and we share.  We love.

 What brought you to the mat and how has it changed your life?

I remember lying on the floor after a cross-training session for figure skating.  It was the end of an eight-hour day filled with pushing my body to its limits (the usual for my twelve year-old self).  In an informal Savasana my coach led me through a blue-sky meditation.  My mind was so quiet.  I was amazed.  I didn’t know it at the time that I was hooked for life. This visualization stuck with me. 

In high school, a track coach led me through a post workout progressive muscle relaxation.  It felt so good that I did it every single night before bed for years.  In college I read the book Waking by Matthew Sanford and I wanted to feel the vitality, grace, and mindfulness that Matt displayed through his story.  My mother had taken me to some yoga classes and we had had a lot of fun together but my practice was never consistent.  Encouraged by my life coach I started doing yoga consistently; Once a week, on Sundays.  It was heaven.  Sunday nights became my quiet time, my time to move in a new and different way, to stretch out my achy, repetitive movement, triathlete muscles, to clear out my over-zealous, nonstop brain and to simply be me.  I fell in love.

My relationship with yoga has created a space for me to explore my connection to self and connection to Spirit.  My mat is a place I go for nourishment, to listen and be heard, to be cared for, challenged, excited, delighted and for rest.  Yoga has taught me how to stay steadfast with myself through adversity and has opened me up for growth, strength and flexibility on and off the mat.  I have much gratitude for this practice in my life. 

in·spi·ra·tion (nsp-rshn)

n.

• Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired.
• Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.
• Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired.
• The act of drawing in, especially the inhalation of air into the lungs.

in·spi·ra·tion  al·ley

n.

An ever flowing, ever changing hallway of expression, humor, creativity, and insight. The blank spaces are waiting for you! Chalk provided. BYOI (bring your own inspiration)