Show Overview:

In this conversation, legendary Ashtanga Yoga teacher Richard Freeman walks us through the various paths of yoga as described in The Bhagavad Gita. Richard is an exceptional teacher of yoga philosophy. Undoubtedly, this conversation will have much to offer for those both new and familiar with this classic text of the yoga tradition.

Guest bio: Richard Freeman is one of the most celebrated Ashtanga Yoga teachers of our time. Richard Freeman has been a student of yoga since 1968. He began his yoga journey with one simple sitting posture in the Zen tradition. Richard spent nine years in Asia studying yoga asana, Sufism, Sanskrit language, and Indian philosophical texts.

In 1974 Richard began working with B.K.S. Iyengar. With Iyengar Richard studied precise alignment principles, applying them to his own internally rooted experience of the forms. Drawing from this variety of contemplative traditions, Richard teaches the Ashtanga Vinyasa method of yoga as taught by his principal teacher, the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India.

Richard’s metaphorical, humorous, teaching style appeals to students of many backgrounds and nationalities. He teaches workshops and trainings throughout the world, and remains an avid student fascinated by the linking points between different traditions and cultures.

He is the co-founder, with Mary, of the Yoga Workshop in Boulder, Colorado; has produced a number of highly regarded yoga audio and video recordings; and is the author of The Mirror of Yoga and co-author of The Art of Vinyasa (Shambhala Publications).

Links:

Richard Freeman Yoga

Mentions: Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

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Guest Bio: Mary Taylor teaches Ashtanga Yoga as taught by her principal teacher, the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India.

Mary Taylor began studying yoga in 1971, after graduating from Julia Child’s cooking school, L’Ecole des Trois Gourmandes in Pari. Initially, she enjoyed yoga as a means of finding equanimity during the stress of University. It was this thread of balance that got her hooked.

It was not until 1988 that Mary found her primary teacher, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. The discovery of the Ashtanga Yoga system provided her with a profound and transformative impact. She continues to study and practice yoga and Buddhist teachings with great enthusiasm and inquisitiveness, with an eye on how the residue that is produced on the mat (and cushion) through these teachings informs and supports all aspects of everyday life.

Mary travels and teaches Ashtanga Yoga with her husband Richard Freeman. Mary also works as a caregiver in a hospital setting as part of the core faculty of the Being with Dying program (Upaya Zen Center) and the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Trainings. In 1988, with Richard, she co-founded the Yoga Workshop. Mary is also the author of three cookbooks and the co-author of What Are You Hungry For? Women Food and Spirituality (St. Martins Press) and The Art of Vinyasa (Shambhala Publications).

Shownotes:

In my conversation with Mary we explored the following topics:

• Ashtanga Yoga as a practice of self transformation
• Showing up for your practice; the need to be honest with ourselves
• Reconciling Eastern, Western Perspectives. Holding paradoxical points of view.
• How Psychology, and the ego, differs in Eastern and Western worldviews
• The importance of ritual
• and more…

Links:

Mary and Richard’s Website

Mentions: Pattabi Jois, Ram Dass, Krishna Das

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