Meet Alex Levin
When
did you first become interested in yoga and why?
I first flirted with yoga in high school, occasionally
joining Lilias Folan's TV classes. I remember being mesmerized
by the book Yoga, Youth and Reincarnation by Jess
Stearn. It wasn't until about twenty years later however,
exhausted to the point of illness, barely holding onto my
job because of frequent headaches and sporadic chronic fatigue,
that I rediscovered yoga. I had periods of high energy and
I would squeeze every possible activity into those periods
to make up for my down-time. The down times became more frequent
and longer lasting. A friend urged me to get off the Nordic
Track and come to yoga class. I did. It soothed and energized
me simultaneously. I was hooked. In the last five years,
through yoga, I have much more energy and far fewer headaches.
Asana and meditation practice nurture an awareness that opens
up so many more options: balance where I've always preferred
extremes, acceptance instead of relentless criticism, and
even surrender instead of control.
What is your favorite yoga practice or pose (asana)?
Tough to narrow it down to one. Right now I'm enjoying
the challenge of working toward one-legged pigeon pose. I
like peacock pose and can sometimes hold my balance for some
seconds. Have always loved down dog. Once in a while the
only pose I do is corpse. Currently, I'm trying to listen
inwardly and feel what my body, mind and spirit need at the
beginning of my practice and as it unfolds, rather than following
a predetermined plan.
You lead the Sunday evening meditation group, can you
talk about your interest in meditation?
I've dabbled with meditation on and off for a while.
I've read many inspirational books describing its benefits.
It feels good to read about living to your fullest potential
and I'm always wondering how to do that. But, reading all
the books in the world on the subject will not get me there!
As many a meditation teacher has said, you just have to get
your tush on the cushion every day. And for me that's the
hard part, that discipline. It's very helpful to have the
support of other people who meditate. I appreciate our Sunday
evening group for that reason.
With a more consistent meditation practice, I get glimpses of the benefits: a sense of space where options show up, yin-yang (or, the blessing that nothing is permanent), a sense of connection. The experiences are much stronger than the words.
What is your favorite book right now?
Well, I still read books on meditation. This summer
I read and loved the simplicity of Breath by Breath by
Larry Rosenberg. Here's a tiny sample: "To be mindful of
something? of anything? is an act of generosity. You are
giving it life by allowing it into your world."
What gives you the greatest joy in teaching?
That I am sharing a technique, a path, that can be
applied for short-term, feel-good results, but can also become
a long-term life adventure.