AYGMyJune2015

IT PAYS TO REGULARLY

REMIND YOURSELF that

preconceptions are rarely helpful,

or for that matter, accurate.

Duncan Peak, 40, ex-army offi cer,

former representative rugby

player and the founder of the

successful Power Living brand

would surely be a self-assured,

possibly arrogant, hard-

charging type of man, I reasoned.

Anyone who could convince cage

fi ghters, NRL players and special-

forces soldiers about the benefi ts of

yoga had to be one tough nut. After all,

over the past 11 years Duncan Peak has

demonstrated considerable business acumen,

building a brand that encompasses several

studios, teacher training, books, retreats

and, rumour has it, he's just getting started.

You can’t build a dominant brand in that

play

Power

Yoga Founder

Duncan Peak on

life, business, grief

and the power

of yoga

By Todd Cole

POWER

competitive space with

love, understanding and

compassion. There’s no way.

Thirty minutes after we

met, I was left shaking my head,

laughing quietly to myself in that way you do

when your own ignorance amazes you and

you realise that you’re not as smart at you

thought you were - and are happy because

of it. Note to self: preconceptions are never

helpful. Here I share our conversation –

and an insight into a very remarkable man.

YJ: Tell me, what was your fi rst

experience of yoga?

DP: When I was young I lived with another

family – not my natural one – for a few

years. Their stepfather was a really keen

yogi. He lived in India for about 11 years.

He taught us the traditional style of yoga

called Raja yoga. That was really meditating;

the science of the mind. It wasn’t until I got

out of the army at 24 after I got injured

pretty bad that I got into the physical style of

yoga, Ashtanga, to help me with my injuries.

Duncan relaxing at

home in Asymmetrical

Pincha Mayurasana

48

may/june 2015

yogajournal.com.au

PHOTOS: LEE TE HIRA

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