Yoga Journal USA — February 2018

FEBRUARY 2018 / 63 / YOGAJOURNAL.COM

MASTER CLASS

PRACTICE WELL

DINA

RUDIC

K

CONSIDERING BARON BAPTISTE’S CHILDHOOD,

it’s no surprise that he grew into the talented and

respected yoga teacher he is today. His parents,

Magaña and Walt Baptiste, opened one of the fi rst

yoga schools in San Francisco in 1952, and kept

great company: Baptiste recalls dinner parties with

B.K.S. Iyengar, and Indra Devi was his godmother.

Of course, growing up yogi long before the practice

was mainstream wasn’t all ahimsa and namaste.

“I always felt so diff erent and misunderstood by other

kids; it was challenging to connect with them,” says

Baptiste. “But looking back now, I see that some of

those early experiences gave me thick enough skin

to stay true to living and sharing yoga.” This month,

Baptiste shares an exclusive practice that touches on

this theme of standing in your truth, or what he calls

your true north—and provides a glimpse of his new

Yoga Journal online Master Class on enlivening your

practice, which launches in March. Turn the page to

learn more about this inspiring teacher.

Baron Baptiste

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