YOGAJOURNAL.COM / 64 / FEBRUARY 20 18
I have vivid memories of being 12 and on pilgrimage with my
parents in Rishikesh, India. I started my days doing saltwater
sinus flushes with a neti pot, and by 5 a.m., I was gathered with
a couple hundred young monks for meditation, pranayama, and
asana, followed by study of scripture and more asana practices.
I remember being touched and inspired by the profound results
of yoga in the bodies, minds, and beings of so many people. It
made me realize that through yoga, a human being can grow, let
go, and alter their whole context toward living—if they so choose.When I was around 17 years old, B.K.S. Iyengar invited me to
attend one of his workshops. I felt honored and accepted, although
at that point, I wasn’t very familiar with his style of yoga. I did my
best to keep up, but I felt mostly lost—I had never practiced asana
with that kind of rigor and physical intentionality. At some point,
Iyengar said, “Do dropbacks.” I had no idea what he meant.
I looked around and saw the other practitioners drop back from
Tadasana (Mountain Pose) into Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward
Bow Pose). In that moment, I felt kind of hopeless or flawed.Noticing my hesitation, Iyengar walked over to me with intensity
in his eyes, and with a fierce kindness, he directed and spotted
me—almost pushing me—into the pose. Then he said, “If a
method clicks with you, practice that method or technique for
some time, and give up all other methods. Focus only on that one
method. But it has to be one that clicks for you.” That day, Iyengar
lit a flame in me for the physical practice of asana.I never wanted to be a yoga teacher in my youth. I taught some
kids classes in my early teens, which was fun but more play-around
time. One Saturday, my father needed someone to teach his morn-
ing breathing class. I didn’t want to, but I taught it anyway. I was
18 years old, and I remember feeling like I was doing a terrible job.
But afterward, the students kept sharing how they authentically
enjoyed my teaching. In that moment, a teacher was born in me.
My father would say, “You know a lot, you’ve had great teachers
and learning experiences, the practices are in you. If you don’t
share what you know, you lose it. You have a responsibility.”I often say, “Baptiste Yoga is for anyone, but it’s not for every-
one.” Anyone can do it, and anyone can benefit from practicing
it—if the method resonates. Yoga can be intimidating, and the tra-
ditional yoga world sometimes perpetuates this. It’s my mission to
make yoga accessible to anyone, from any background, who is
looking for total physical, mental, and emotional transformation.A great teacher or mentor allows you to discover something for
yourself—which is different from telling you the answer—and does
not rush the process. I have been so fortunate in my life to have
had many masterful teachers and mentors. They have all inspired
me to be a better version of myself in various ways. Now I encour-
age people to stop looking to me or anyone else for answers and
instead to trust themselves more. I’ve personally tried on living
other people’s answers, and it’s never gone well. I’ve realized
I need to discover for myself the insights that best fit me.MASTER CLASS
PRACTICE WELL