I’d Walk A Mile For A Camel

The Persian poet Rumi, one of the greatest teachers and thinkers of the 13th century, was a true messenger of love. His interpretations of the Quran were instrumental in shaping the thinking of the Muslim religion over seven hundred years ago. Through his writings, Rumi crafted words which still ring true today, every one of which contain meaning and purpose. He was a man who possessed enormous inspirational powers leading to a devoted following consisting of individuals who would end up traveling the world to spread his wisdom about true happiness. How powerful was Rumi? His message was strong enough to inspire grown men to wear white dresses and literally and figuratively “spin” around the world, pitching his wisdom. Known as Whirling Dervishes, these men often times would never return to Rumi’s home city of Konya, Turkey. Instead they would commit their lives to spreading happiness and contentment, which they owned as a result of their exposure to Rumi, to all corners of the known world in the 13th century.

Rumi, one of most prolific writers of his time, had this to say about yoga, “I have been a seeker and I still am, but I stopped asking the books and the stars. I started listening to the teaching of my Soul.”

In 1913, one hundred years ago, the American tobacco company, R.J. Reynolds developed a slogan for their new Camel cigarette. I’d walk a mile for a Camel, became one of the greatest Madison Avenue slogans of all time. The Mad Men, who created the campaign, rolled the dice and came up as huge winners. They believed the cigarette, made with a blend of Turkish and American tobacco, would enjoy enhanced brand loyalty by the image of a smoker walking through the desert looking for a Camel. It worked. What would Rumi say? Probably that the pyramids are in Egypt not in Turkey as the package implies. The brand would end up being R.J. Reynolds number one selling cigarette for ninety five years.

An infinitely more attractive Camel is shown above at the top of this piece. In the photograph, Georgia Gerstein, who recently was voted the number one yoga instructor in Washington D.C., is striking a perfect yoga camel pose. The only thing that a Camel cigarette and Georgia Gerstein’s camel yoga pose have in common is the fact that both are smoking hot.

In just two years, the Washington native is on her way to becoming an expert in the ancient art of yoga. Although, she modestly says, “Always a student and eternally on the journey.” Georgia teaches at Mind The Mat in Arlington, Virginia, where her classes are packed to the rafters with Rumi like students, who are trying to connect with their inner selves. If you are in perfect physical shape and experiencing Moksha 24/7, Georgia’s classes are not for you. But for individuals who want to improve on either or both states of mind and body, If You Please highly recommends a trip across the Potomac River to take a “whirling dervish spin” with a great teacher of love and happiness.

If You Please’s favorite Rumi quote,

“Let the lover be disgraceful, crazy, absentminded. Someone sober will worry about things going badly. Let the lover be.”