taken by surprise….

A decade ago I would have politely declined an invitation to yoga. I held all the stereotypical viewpoints. It’s not a real work out, it’s only for women, etc…. Nine knee surgeries has a way of humbling a person. I was searching, maybe desperate, for a way to keep my physical body healthy, that would not harm the knees. After trying several other fitness programs I stumbled into a hot yoga class. It was a challenge but I liked how my body responded. Strength, flexibility, a good sweat, and no knee pain, I was hooked. After several years of yoga practice a switch flipped. Quietly, I began to experience a “heart” connection in my practice. A peace, a contentment, a connectedness began showing up in my emotional life as well as in my physical body. Life issues that expressed themselves in physical sensations were being spoken to thru my practice. To that point I had not looked into the history, philosophy or teachings of yoga but these experiences awakened my curiosity. Today my yoga practice is foundational to my physical and emotional health. Hatha, Kundalini, Bhakti, Nidra, and Yin, have all been a part of my journey and each offered a new dimension to my life.

These experiences developed a hunger for “more” and led me to pursue formal yoga instructor training, primarily for my own personal growth. During my 200 hour instructor certification I was exposed to the vast world of yoga modalities and was introduced to Yoga Therapy. I had never heard of it before and I loved what it offered.

Following my initial training I enrolled with Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy. The 800 hour program is thorough and highly regarded. It’s a privilege to be involved with Kripalu. Yoga offers thorough, time tested practices and philosophies that aid a person in finding balance, clarity and health. This path of training and exposure to wonderful gifted people is allowing me grow deeper in these practices and share them with others. That excites me. The journey continues….

Training / Certifications:

BUT … First a word about training…

Theres an old joke that goes like this.

“What do you call the student who graduated last from Medical School"? Answer: Doctor”

This isn’t to say training is not important BUT it must be balanced with the “Who” is delivering the service you are looking for. Ultimately you are looking for a person who can help you, YOU. All the training in the world won’t give you what you are looking for unless you are open to receiving from the person guiding your sessions. You must find a person you connect with and are comfortable receiving direction from.

Over a decade ago I had knee replacement surgery. In my search for the best surgeon I sought out the advice of several trusted Physical Therapists. I figured, hey they see hundreds of clients who have had this procedure and I wonder if they had any guidance on which surgeon I should select. A very experienced Therapist said, “Look Stu, All of these doctors have access to the same instruments, have had comparable training, etc…. Its no different than an artist. They all have access to the same brushes, paints, etc… at the end of the day there is an unseen talent or giftedness that just is….” That began my search for the “Picasso, the Rembrandt” of knee surgeons. My knee replacement surgery was life changing. I found an artist, a gifted surgeon and Physical Therapist to lead my entire process and I have reaped the benefits.

This is all to say…. training and experience are important, BUT the right “WHO” is about so much more than training. I would encourage you to seek out a well trained person, who you connect with, who you sense a talent, a fit, a gifting, who you sense can direct your growth, wholeness, and healing process. Trust your heart as you move into this season.

My training is from a very respected Yoga Academy. Kripalu is known in the yoga world as the “Harvard of Yoga”. But equally as valuable is my life experience. My life has been in spiritually focused work. That certainly has impact on my understanding and sharing of yogic principles and practices. Below the “Training and Certifications” section below I have listed a bit of my life moments to give you a feel of who I am. Truthfully this speaks more about who I am and how I may assist / connect with you than all of my training and certifications.

Training / Certifications:

Yoga Therapist / Professional Yoga Therapist Program, Kripalu Institute of Yoga
- (800 Hours) The Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy is an accredited school with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)
Advanced Teacher of Therapeutic Yoga, Kripalu Institute of Yoga (300 Hours)
RYT Yandara Yoga Institute, Baja Mexico (200 Hours )
***
Foundations of Yoga Therapy, Kripalu Institute of Yoga and Health (103 Hours)
Foundations of Yoga Therapy , Kripalu Institute of Yoga and Health (103 Hours)
Yoga Therapy Clinical Practice , Kripalu Institute of Yoga and Health (219 hours)
- 150 hours clinical delivery of yoga therapy
- Custom session design & protocol formation for individual clients
Yoga Therapy Applied in Medical Settings (75 hours)
Yoga Therapy Applications Within the Mental-Health Field (75 hours)
In-Depth Anatomy of Asana (75 hours)
Pranayama, Mudra, and Subtle Anatomy Applied in Yoga Therapy (75 hours)
Embodying the Principles and Practices of Ayurveda in Yoga Therapy (75 hours)
***
Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma: Kripalu Institute of Yoga and Health
Instructor: Bessel van der Kolk and Licia Sky
Restorative Yoga Therapeutic Teacher Training: Kripalu Institute of Yoga and Health

Instructor: Jillian Pransky

Positional Therapy for Chronic Pain Relief, Level 1, Kripalu Institute of Yoga and Health

Instructor: Lee Albert

Positional Therapy for Chronic Pain Relief, Level 2, Kripalu Institute of Yoga and Health
Instructor: Lee Albert
Reiki Training, Yandara Yoga Institute

B.S. Arizona State University - Business

Masters Degree, Fuller Theology Seminary

A few of my life tidbits….

Ive sat in abandon buildings in the middle east, after being searched, and met with “the enemy”.

Ive been locked in rooms with Sudanese Nuns in Northern Uganda in fear listening to gunfire.

I traveled extensively and lived in the Soviet Union while she was under Communist rule.

Ive crossed borders in middle eastern countries fearing the worst only to be wished happy birthday by the military person I was in fear of.

I have hit 1 iron into a par four at the Old Course at St Andrews and 2 putt for birdie.

Ive stood alone in the oval office.

Ive cursed at God and refused to have any part of Him/Her as I’ve witnessed horrific events, and I’ve wept in awe of inexplainable miraculous occurrences.

Ive stood in line for bread in sub zero temperatures in Communist Russia.

I have drank too much vodka with Russian farmers, sweating and laughing with them in their hand built banya outside of Leningrad.

I have stood in line with east African women who walked 9 hours to a dirty mud puddle, waited hours in line for groundwater to rise, to fill their cans and return, walking, to bring water to their families.

Ive dressed as a woman and sang to an audience of over 400 and received a standing ovation.

Ive sat in briefings with a U.S. sitting president, and in a nursery for disabled children with Sr. Stephana, a Mother Teresa sister, who last I heard from was heading into war torn Syria to serve the poorest of the poor. I’m more in awe of the latter.

On the golf course Ive taken money from a hall of fame outfielder and lost money to a hall of fame pitcher.

I have had my windshield stolen.

I read lots.

I have bribed a government official to get official documentation.

Ive been the lone passenger on Private Jet and I drove a VW bug with no reverse for over a year because I couldn’t afford to get it repaired.

I introduced a U.S. Vice President live after publicly roasting him. (I killed it)

I have eaten dog and insects because they were offered to me in kindness and drank a glass of wine that cost more than my monthly house payment for the same reason.

I have smoked a 1960 pre-embargo Cuban Cigar. Yes it was amazing.

In a 2 year span I broke 3 front teeth diving into a shallow pool, 2 one day and a third the next day before going to the dentist.

I was cut from freshman basketball, and still think the coach made a horrible mistake.

I have friends that could not possibly spend the money they have in 10 lifetimes and friends who live in peace not knowing how they will feed their family next week.

I have shared the deepest spiritual truths of my life with many and look back on these moments with deep joy and deep regret.

My life has been deeply moved and changed by drug addicts, Sudanese, German, U.S. and Tanzanian Nuns, Muslim brothers and sisters, communists, disabled children, and an Irish Caddie.

I have lived and traveled with men who kill others for a living.

I have been moved by the teachings of the Bible, the Koran, and Bhagavad Gita.

I have been honored to father and parent 3 amazing women who I learn from and admire today.

I am fortunate to have men I deeply love, and they me. I can’t imagine my life without them. I have stood with them in death and celebrated with them in life. I don’t know why I have been so privileged to have them as part of my story.

The Black River has shared its bounty with me but not without a extracting a price.

Ive spent the night in a 3rd world country locked in a prison cell for my own safety.

Ive sang and played guitar in a foreign airport gathering hundreds of people to join in.

I have officiated weddings and funerals and baptisms and am unsure what exactly happens at any of them but am convinced its sacred.

Ive traveled in over 30 countries.

Good weather follows me.

When my grandpa was a boy they traveled on horseback. He died seeing a man on the moon.

Driveway basketball, poker, and “stick” (a local AZ swimming pool game / brawl) with a group of lifelong friends are some of my fondest memories.

I have been in a car accident with a winner of “American Idol"

I’ve been told your suppose to put a photo of yourself on a site like this. I guess the idea is to make you look like an “expert” or so people can get a look at you to make sure your not a psychopath. I don’t have it in me to take a website photo so I thought I’d just give you some “slice of life photos”… Lucky you…. :)