YOGI OF THE MONTH

April 2018 - Art Gilbert

What first brought you to yoga and how long have you been practicing?

I got into yoga about 10 years ago to round out my exercise program of cardio and weights. After a few years of weekly yoga classes in Columbia, MD, I began a daily practice at home.  It turns out it’s easy to go feral when you’re just doing yoga on your own, so Susan had her hands full to get my form back into shape when I started at IOY last year.

What is/are your intention(s) for your yoga practice?

Flexibility, strength, and balance. My theory is that it’s easier to maintain than to restore, and yoga has a positive effect in each area.

What is your favorite pose and why?

Figure 4. The stretch you get in the hip muscles feels great, is good for cyclists, and I’ve heard it helps men avoid the “old man shuffle” when they get older. Time will tell!

What is your favorite class at InsideOut Yoga?

Slow Flow. Despite its tranquil name, Susan’s class gives a great total body workout with enough Vinyasa flow to leave me feeling tired but somehow energized.

How has the practice of yoga influenced your life?

I always feel better when I’ve done yoga for the day. I stand a little taller, move a little easier, and when things get stressful I remind myself to “find my drishti.” 

What advice would you have for a beginning yoga student?

Don’t worry about looking like a pro when you get started. Nobody’s watching! We’re all fully involved in our own practice.

What is your occupation?

I spent my career in corporate finance and am now mostly retired.

What activities do you enjoy?

Cycling, sailing, Habitat for Humanity, and yoga. Also restoring wooden boats; my wife calls me the “Patron Saint of Lost Boats,” as I seem to be on a pace of restoring one decaying boat a year.  Favorite project: a 1956 mahogany runabout that needed some love when I bought her but now looks pretty swank.

What is your favorite thing about living in the Northern Neck or Middle Peninsula?

Just one? Let’s go with the many outdoor recreational opportunities available without the need to drive an hour or two to get to them.

Is there anything you want to add?

InsideOut Yoga would have been a pretty good answer to the question above!