Camel pose
Standing head to knee
I interviewed a couple of my favorite yoga instructors who are very experienced and knowledgeable and wanted to share with you why they choose to practice, and teach yoga, in hopes that it may inspire you to try the practice yourself! For me I almost exclusively practice 26:2 sequence yoga,(Bikram) but on occasion, practice Vinyasa and Yin. I choose sequence yoga because of the heat, but also, the postures seem to give me the strength and cardio benefits without the stress on my shoulders, knees and hips.
What style of yoga were you first introduced to?
Sandy Rubin
Bikram yoga instructor
Sandy:
Cleve:
Bikram Yoga.
When did you first start practicing yoga and what brought you to it?
Sandy:
I first started practicing in my late teens as a means of relieving stress and anxiety. I was not athletic or very physically active as a kid. My mom went to our local gym on a regular basis and she encouraged me to join her for Vinyasa style yoga classes. I loved the fact that it was challenging but accessible and easily tailored to one’s natural strengths and weaknesses.
Cleve:
Cleveland Willis
co-owner of Still hot yoga Decatur Georgia
In 2003, a music manager by the name of Nicole Jurovics worked at ASCAP and Columbia records at the time, while she would be involved in my music a few years later at this point I had had a tragedy with my friend, a roommate , a professional musician Rick, who overdosed on Heroin. (long story short) I was there and gave him CPR, tragically it did not work, and so while I had already gotten sober, I was at risk for a relapse. You can say, Rick saved my life by losing his. Nicole stepped in and all but forced me to try this f-k-ing Bikram yoga and at first I HATED it! But I went every day until I fell in love with it .
What have the benefits been to you, physically, emotionally and spiritually, if any?
Sandy:
Cleve:
YES, physically I feel great, emotionally I believe it helps as well as mentally, to just keep me in “check”. It allows this very impatient person to become more patient, and to have less criticism toward myself.
What style yoga do you practice now and why?
Sandy:
Cleve:
Traditional Bikram , it is the only yoga I have found that shuts my brain up and gives me this natural sort of “high” feeling….. clearer and free, and by that I mean, free from my self, my own shit, no ego.
When did you start teaching and what style do you teach?
Sandy:
Cleve:
Bikram yoga. I went to Tony Sanchez in Mexico for Teacher Training in 2013, and learned the 84 postures. Tony was Bikram’s right hand guy and did training with Bikram for 25 plus years. After that I went to East valley Bikram yoga in Pheonix Arizona for continued education.
What do you enjoy most about being a yoga instructor?
Sandy:
Cleve:
That I am not like most yoga people , I don’t care about being a yogi or instagram famous or meditating at a damn park somewhere ……none of this is me, the yoga itself is my meditation. My mentors were authentic, and that’s what I try to be ( I am not trying to be a “cool”, or “trendy” yoga teacher) AND more importantly, I strive to be a safe one who loves to see people progress and get that awesome feeling from hard work in a class!
How do you respond when people say they can’t do yoga because they are not flexible, or they aren’t strong enough or have no balance?
Sandy:
Cleve:
I always respond with “oh shuuushhhhh” or “settle down”. At my studio we have an NBA guy in the same class as my 79 year old lady who kicks his ass! (She has practiced 5 days a week for several years). Yoga is not about how it looks, do not be attached to that, instead learn to love yourself and body wherever you are in your practice (and out) on that day. Be patient and kind to yourself, flexibility will likely start to happen over time.
Should everyone try yoga? If so, is there one style that is best for beginners?
Sandy:
Cleve:
I recommend Bikram to everyone. It truly is a challenging AND a beginner style for anyone (by design). Sometimes this style is called sequence or 26&2 , however be mindful and ask if it’s overall a traditional class with more traditional teachers.
Sandy:
Cleve:
Instructors should stop trying to be famous yoga teachers, and students should be mindful of those teachers. The practice is about you as an individual, not about them as an instructor. I started doing yoga to get away from a life that was public, (former professional musician) yoga gave me the chance to get away from that lifestyle, of the “look at me” “follow me” bullshit. As a practitioner make sure to find authentic studios and authentic teachers. The practice keeps me humble and grounded and it is something for yourself to better yourself and your health.
If you want more information on either one of these amazing instructors or would like to discuss other styles of yoga, you can email me at info@sculptworx.com.
Sandy Rubin in standing bow pose
