Q: Namaste, have you always lived a yoga lifestyle? If not, was there anything which drew you towards living a yoga lifestyle?
Chris: No I haven’t but I started living a yoga lifestyle when I was 23 years old that was back in 1995. There were a few things that led me to a yoga lifestyle. I was dissatisfied with my lifestyle at the time. I wasn’t happy I wasn’t healthy and I wasn’t feeling particularly wise. I really felt it was time for a change, I was looking and was ready for a change even though I didn’t know what I was looking for or ready for. As it turned out the change I was looking for and ready for was a yoga lifestyle. I had been travelling overseas and my health was not good and when I came back to Australia I began to reassess my life, my activities and my relationships. I began martial arts, became a vegetarian and began meditation all at the same time. I realized I needed to take responsibility for my life and follow through with my actions.
Q: When you first started living a yoga lifestyle was there anything that was difficult, in terms of living it?
Chris: No it was a natural feeling to be doing it. It felt like I wasn’t giving much up. Actually it felt like I was gaining.
Q: What were some of those first benefits you experienced? And the benefits now?
Chris: I experienced a feeling of reconnecting, I felt more centered, grounded, nourished, more whole and complete. My mind became less active, calmer and I generally felt happier overall. Some of the benefits now, well they are the same as at first but I would also say I experience less anxiety, my concerns melt away, dissolve away. I feel inner peace and happiness, a real reconnection. I have purpose and meaning to my life and direction too.
Q: Has it changed your life? If so how?
Chris: Yes, a yoga life style has really changed my life. I am healthier, happier I have direction and feel like I have been given a great gift which I enjoy sharing with others.
Q: How did living a yoga lifestyle make you healthier?
Chris: I have more energy, I became a vegetarian and let go of taking intoxicants. I don’t feel so cloudy and heavy I feel more alive.
Q: What is the most fun part of living a yoga lifestyle?
Chris: Oh, doing the meditation with mantras especially the kirtan, the singing or chanting of sacred mantras with friends and family.
Q: When you started living a yoga lifestyle was there anyone else who benefited from it too?
Chris: Sure, the people around me benefited like my family and friends. They could see I was happier. I became a better person and people could pick up on this and see it, and benefit from that too. Some of the people close to me have also experienced the benefits that a yoga lifestyle has to offer.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your yoga lifestyle?
Chris: The most rewarding thing about a yoga lifestyle is trying to make it available to others, and then seeing them experience these benefits as well.
Q: Is there anything you’d like to add?
Chris: For anyone who may be interested in finding a better way to live I thoroughly recommend a yoga lifestyle because once you start you won’t look back.