Yoga is Whatever the Student Needs Now
I remember the moment I recognized that the power of Yoga was not in the poses or even in the breath. In fact, sometimes the power of Yoga is in not practicing.
It was late 2008. I was a 24-year old Personal Trainer at Equinox in Scarsdale, NY with more looks than skills in an industry that too often rewards brawn over brains. I had recently started my own yoga journey after having my right knee surgically repaired. Someone or something gave me the idea that Yoga was a healing practice, I just don’t remember who or what.
This story isn’t about me though, its about a really special young man I met at the same time. He was a client, but looking back, I think he taught me as much or more than I taught him. Now he’s a friend. We’ll call him Matt.
When we met, Matt was 14, soon to be 15. Technically too young to workout at Equinox, but everyone was glad we made the exception for him.
When Matt was 9 he was diagnosed with Leukemia. He spent the next several years undergoing terrifying and life-force robbing treatments. By divine grace, he survived to tell the story.
When we first met, Matt didn’t say much. He was humble and kind, with a twist of detectable shame. His body had been bombarded by the treatments; he couldn’t walk more than a few strides without grabbing something for…
