Greetings from Saint Louis

[jeff.polish]

Hi there. I am happy to writing to you as a new member of this Forum. I have been practicing yoga (Power and Hatha) for roughly four years. I started my practice to help with my distance running and to ward off injury. It really did work as expected, but I found so much more in my yoga practice. The lessons learned on the mat have really carried me into everyday life as well.

I am a high school biology teacher, and the kids have no idea that my overall philosophy in the classroom is the result of rigorous practice and study. These kids are so tightly wound, and they bring their outside life into the classroom everyday. It is my job to quiet them so that they can commit completely to the work in class. When taking quizzes and tests, I preface their experience by telling them that nothing productive can come of this experience unless they are calm. The assessment may not be easy, but if they approach it with equanimity (I do not use that word with the students), then they will earn the grade they deserve.

Anyway, I am happy to be a part of this community.

Thanks!

Jeff

[Andy R]

Welcome to the forums Jeff. We are glad to have you as a member of our community. We are still a fairly small group but getting a little more active each month. We have some amazing members and the years to come here at YF should be filled with lots of informative discussions.

[QueenMaa]

Hello Jeff and welcome to the forum!

[Janet Carpenter]

Hey, Jeff, I just joined today, and found your posting. I was born and raised in St. Louis, so I am curious where you grew up, went to high school, and where you take yoga. I am curious about the yoga community there, since I left years ago and have lost touch.

I began outside of St. Charles on a "gentleman's farm" and moved in to
Richmond Heights at age 14 with my family. I went to Ladue (Horton Watkins) high school and took yoga primarily at the Solar Yoga Center in the city, and from Ann Husch. She was an inspiring senior then who lived and did workshops from her home in Clayton, and taught classes in the library auditorium in U City. We used to pool rides to the New Year's peace celebration at dawn in this huge church (I've forgotten now what the name of it is) on January 1. There was chanting, tibetan bowls, prayers, laughter
and potluck afterward. I miss that group !

Namaste

[yogiforlife]

Originally Posted by jeff.polish

Hi there. I am happy to writing to you as a new member of this Forum. I have been practicing yoga (Power and Hatha) for roughly four years. I started my practice to help with my distance running and to ward off injury. It really did work as expected, but I found so much more in my yoga practice. The lessons learned on the mat have really carried me into everyday life as well.

I am a high school biology teacher, and the kids have no idea that my overall philosophy in the classroom is the result of rigorous practice and study. These kids are so tightly wound, and they bring their outside life into the classroom everyday. It is my job to quiet them so that they can commit completely to the work in class. When taking quizzes and tests, I preface their experience by telling them that nothing productive can come of this experience unless they are calm. The assessment may not be easy, but if they approach it with equanimity (I do not use that word with the students), then they will earn the grade they deserve.

Anyway, I am happy to be a part of this community.

Thanks!

Jeff

Welcome Jeff, I too have found Yoga to have contributed to my jogging in a positive respect. I don't run marathons or anything like that, usually around the 8-12km mark, lots of mountain jogging. I found the strength and endurance I gained from Yoga greatly benefitted me when jogging up steep inclines as well as the holding of postures and breathing my way through them. I know I can make it up any hill if I just concentrate on my breathing.