Hi, my name is Kalidasa, thank you for visiting my site. I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself.
My entire life has followed a path of personal development and meditation. I have always been a meditator even as a child. However, it wasn’t until I was 19 that I met my first spiritual teacher.
I learned a lot from Daniel, but the greatest gift he gave me was in giving me the opportunity to meet my true spiritual teacher swami Kripalu. It is the teachings of Kripalu and his lineage that has guided me on my path to yoga.
My friend Daniel had a spiritual teacher, an American named Yogeshware who was a disciple of Kripalu. Yogeshware had an ashram north of San Francisco. It was here that I began my formal studies of yoga with Yogeshware.
For a year, I lived, worked, meditated and studied at this beautiful and peaceful place. I was exposed to some of the most amazing material about yoga that has ever been put together. Yogeshware was a brilliant man who mastered the subject of yoga and created material that presented the subject in a truly clear and concise way.
The coursework covered all aspects of yoga. Of course I spent plenty of time doing postures, but there were plenty of other activities. Five days of the week offered structured activities such as doing dyad work - working with a partner for various processes, kirtan - the singing of spiritual songs and chants and satsange which is where we would gather together to shares spirtual experiences and ask pertinent questions.
There were also workshops that happen periodically, especially the Enlightenment Intensive. I spent a lot of time staffing and taking enlightenment Intensives. I was able to take the Enlightenment intensive masters training privately giving my first intensive when I was just 22.
It was during this time that I also did the yoga teacher training. And of course, I continued my study and practice of yoga postures my entire time at the ashram. It didn’t hurt that I had started stretching as a teenager. I really had a great time learning and practicing all of the great things my young body could do. And, it’s gotten better for the most part.
Eventually the ashram was closed and the property sold. When I moved on my yoga postures teacher told me that I should teach a class or two. It wasn’t long until I was able to follow the instruction, and I have been teaching ever sense, almost 30 years at this point.
Over the years I have continued to study yoga and its many aspects, including the study of different styles and methods of teaching yoga. I have taught all kinds of classes for all kinds of people from ages ranging from 5-95, and people very different levels of ability.
One of my favorite places to teach was the downtown Berkeley YMCA, I taught there for over 15 years. It was a great time a great bunch of people to work with. I had one class that was held in the main gym, the basketball court. That is where I learned how to teach a large class. At one point I had upwards of 150 people in a class.
I also love to teach small classes. When I focus on only one, two or maybe three people, I can help them with really small adjustments to find a place in the pose that they never knew existed before. I actually think I prefer to do small classes and privet lessons because of this.
Another great possition I had was teaching a beginner’s class for Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco. It quickly grew to four classes a week that were broken up into eight weeks sections. I spent eight years there perfecting a series for beginners.
This isn’t all I did the last 30 years or so. To make money I did construction work, and raised a family, two kids. They are well into their adulthood now, so I have started on this new phase of life.
About 15 years ago I started making a living teaching yoga postures and doing healing work. I have continued to study and practice natural healing, and now I write about the subject.
I did a little traveling, mostly I spent time in Bali last year. It was there that I decided to get into using the Internet to spread what I have learned over the years. Which is of course, why I am starting this site now.
I also write on natural healing as I mentioned. I have another website, SelfAdjustingTechnique.com where I write on natural healing. I also sell a book on how to do gentle adjustments on yourself without cracking or paint. The kind of thing someone could use to get relief from back or neck pain.
I have other projects in the works, but yoga is my true and deepest love. So, for now I’ll have some fun writing some things for you about yoga. We’ll cover the whole subject, not just postures.
Thanks again for visiting, I hope you come back often as there will usually be something new for you to check out.
Kalidasa
