Introducing Rich

Photo via The Vagabond Bond.

Happy Monday, oh blog world! It's been a while. How was your weekend?

I hope you all had time to do some yoga, relax, and enjoy the inklings of spring. We had plenty of sun here in Chicagoland, but the temperature has still been freezing! I can't wait for some warmer weather.

It's been a couple weeks since I introduced you to a sponsored yogi, and I've got another one to add to the mix today -- welcome, Rich! If you're following the blog, you've read some of Rich's work before, like his post from the Real Men Do Yoga series, or his recent poetic reflections on his practice and what it means to be a warrior.

I've had the privilege of meeting with Rich and practicing at each other's studios -- we did a hot vinyasa class at TruHarmony in the city a while back, and he joined me for a Bikram class at Bikram Yoga Evanston not too long ago.

Rich has an incredible positive outlook on life, and he's super dedicated to his practice. You'll be hearing more from him in the months to come! In the meantime, this is his story on how he discovered yoga and why it's changed his life for the better. Enjoy!

 Photos courtesy of Richard Krzyzanowski.

From Rich:


My life was a mess. I had to give up on something that I had dedicated myself to for three years. I had been hit by a car, a bus, and lightning (the lightning was indirect). I was having a horrible time. 


Every time I saw my sister, she was this smiling, happy, ball of sunshine. Not to mention that she looked great. So I asked her what she was doing. 


She told me yoga.


I thought at it for minute and decided that I wanted to try it. For my birthday, she got me a mat and a few private lessons at TruHarmony Yoga. I knew immediately that this was something that I would be doing a lot of. 

 

 Photos courtesy of Richard Krzyzanowski.

I started practicing two days a week at first. On the days that I wasn't practicing, I found myself wishing I was at the studio. So I started practicing three days a week. 


I felt amazing. My head was clearer than it had ever been. My body was in better condition than it had ever been in. I noticed that my interactions with others began to change. I was looking at my entire life differently. 


I started practicing six days a week. That is where I currently am.


Namaste,
Rich

From Rich: Thoughts on Warrior Training

Photo via Yoga Dudes on Tumblr.

Thoughts on Warrior Training
by Rich, a sponsored yogi


I am a peaceful warrior.
I journey further down that path every day.

Some days I am frightened.
Some, I am invincible.

I have no particular quarrels with you or anyone else.
My war rages within me.

I prepare not to do battle,
But rather to continue fighting.

Some days it is all I have.
Others, all I want.

My peace comes in moments of control, 
Packaged smaller than the blink of an eye.

I have found myself somewhere I've never been,
Never knew existed.

I put that place in a box for later.
I will  revisit that place when I am better prepared.

For now, I will finish my warrior training
And be on my peaceful way.