Wholistic Fitness

THEY AIN’T SO BAAAAAD!…..STUDENT ALEX WRITES OF HIS PRIVATE INTENSIVE; DAY ONE…

Dearest Sensei’s,
I miss you sooo much already. I know people may feel it is not very “yogic” to miss someone else, but yogis are humans and it is in embracing all the myriad of emotions, that we find our humanity and evolution toward enlightenment. Here are some of my thoughts on the WF intensive.

Day 1:
Opening Blessings inside the Hombu zendo. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! Talk about chi and pran. Coach, I have been to many temples in Asia and been around many guru’s, and I can unequivocally say, “THEY AINT GOT SHIT ON Y(OUR) TEMPLE” My “nadis” or for our scientific brothers and sisters “nervous system”was barely able to contend the amount of energy in the zendo. Coach, I felt like I was having convulsions during the blessings. Repeatedly I came back to “breath and posture” to steady the chi that was oscillating in the environment. I lack the skill in trying to elaborate what transpired through this prose. I imagine this is what “SATORI” must feel like. A lightning bolt leading straight to enlightenment. Quite a start. After a brief conversation, we were off for a little cardio WF style. I had never been mountain biking before. Thank you for introducing me to the beauty of this art. I felt so alive biking through these trails. Talk about moving zen meditation. If your attention wavers for even one second, you get to become part of the log or the boulder that is inviting you to come and lay with them. Then came the climb. Coach, that was some intense suffering. The high altitude combined with my total inexperience climbing a mountain on a bike made for one terrific opportunity for my for my bardo training. I listened to your instructions to stick to your back wheel, but try as I might, this flat lander could not manage to ride your coattail. Like all incredible sensei’s, you left me to battle my inner and outer demons on the climb. I can not thank you enough for that time. It was just me, the breath, nanisimo, this mountain, and the will not to give up. Huffing and puffing, I decided that no matter what, there was no way that this ocean boy was gonna give up. A couple of times, as I was riding on the ledge of the mountain, I thought how much less painful would it be if I just fell off the mountain. Just as I could no longer find my breath and posture, you appear out of nowhere, shouting the three stages of the bardo at me. That’s just what the doctor ordered. I got to the top, ready for Schultz creek pass. After the storm comes the rainbow. Shultz pass is better than any amusement ride you could ever dream of. Following coach through these steep drops and wicked boulders was amazing. I am happy to say that I got to know the earth very closely a couple of times. Coach, tell nanisimo sorry from me. what a good stallion he was to me. After making it home in one piece although a little bloody, it was time a famous Ananda lunch. She radiates so much beauty and love, it is blinding a times. The food and the company were amazing. After a brief brake, it was teaching time for this eternal student. Pranayama was the topic of the day, and coach you did a marvelous job explaining everything to me. ida, pingala sushumna, bandhas, apna vayus were just a little of the menu that I was treated to. Coach, I don’t know how you are not sold out every single day of the year. You truly walk your walk and talk your talk. Maybe sensing my scientific training in me, you made clear sense of these so called esoteric teachings. As the day was winding down, it was some toilet yoga for this poor grappler. I now see or better, feel the genius work of toilet yoga. Then it was off to rest for day 2. I will write tomorrow on day 2.
Love and Honor,
Your humble grappler, Alex PS. I would love for you to send the pictures of our Intensive. I need to frame one and put you with all the sensei’s I have the pleasure of studying with.