Instructional &
Informational Posts
Canada is filled with yoga teachers. We meet them in studios, we take their classes, we move along with them. We’re finding out more about these forces of nature – everything from what stresses them out to what they feel makes a good business great.
“Yoga is not a religion, but merely an enquiry”
Sting once said that “the deeper you get into Yoga; you realize it is a spiritual practice.” The person that began to lead him on that journey was Danny Paradise.
Danny has a serenity that comes from practicing Ashtanga Yoga since 1976, living in Hawaii and travelling the world. His humour, patience and impressive athleticism is embedded within his sacred, non-dogmatic practice. Danny remains dedicated to improving, joking with his younger students who struggle that they “are not old enough yet.” He shared some insightful answers into his life:
What brought you to yoga? Why did you choose Ashtanga?
This form of Yoga chose me! I was living in the Hawaiian Islands when David Williams and Nancy Gilgoff arrived in May 1976 and began teaching. After about a month of doing the classes 6 days a week everyone had gone through the primary series. After 3 months it was imprinted and we were hooked. Yoga came at a time in my life where it reinforced the decisions I had already taken.
I never intended to teach! David asked me to assist him in 1979 in a new class he was starting. A friend who had studied in that class in Hawaii invited me to Goa, India in 1982 to help him teach an international group of young people from all over the world.
Why don’t you believe in following a guru?
Having a “Guru” may be from another age. One definition of Guru is someone who lights your candle…but you hold it yourself! This is the age of personal responsibility and personal authority leading to understanding of ‘Universal Authority’. Ultimately we are all teachers and students at the same time. We’re all leaders in this age!
You’re a big traveller. How much of your year is spent on the road?
When I was young, travelling became my dream in order to find out what was really happening in the world. Later I moved to the amazing Hawaiian Islands and began playing music for a living. I began receiving invitations to come to other countries to teach Yoga. The Yogis always moved from place to place and this fit perfectly into my idea of how I wanted to live. I am moving around 7 or 8 months a year.
When you’re not travelling, what does your average day look like?
If I'm not traveling by plane, train, camel or ox-cart, I practice Pranayama (breathing) for 30-40 minutes. Shortly after, I do an Asana practice, which depends on my energy that day. Usually I do an Asana practice for 1 to 2 hours and then rest for 15 minutes.
I play music each day as well. I write songs or work on songs I'm learning. I am a vegetarian, and I usually have a late breakfast and then a dinner around sunset. When I'm in Hawaii I work in the jungle garden surrounding where I live. I swim daily and sometimes surf. If I teach a class, I do so in the afternoon, after I am completely warmed up and prepared.
Is there a benefit to celebrities being drawn to Yoga?
The fact that celebrities have come into the practices of Yoga and reaped the benefits has opened the door for the massive interest in Yoga, including with doctors and insurance companies. I've taught Madonna, Sting and Paul Simon, who were already disciplined and totally successful in their lives when they came to Yoga. After all, to stay successful in the entertainment business, especially for so many years, takes great health, vitality and clarity.
For the less disciplined, what do you think about the occasional yogis?
Every little bit of Yoga helps. As people strengthen and heal through any depth of practice the mind becomes clearer, intuition and insight improve, and the immune system is boosted. This is even with short practices.
What is the message that you wish to spread?
I hope to help people recognize the importance of personal responsibility and personal authority. Healing comes from 90% of our own effort. Intelligence in how we live our lives is one powerful message of self-discipline and Yoga. It's not about the messenger, it's about the message. I see positive changes coming as more and more people become conscious of the world they are creating.
Any retirement plans?
After I stop teaching Yoga, I’ll really start to travel! I’ll also spend more time in the garden! Maybe when I’m 80, I’ll become a rock star.
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Courtney Sunday has two cats and a boyfriend who are very patient with her health and wellness obsessions. She teaches yoga, Pilates and indoor cycling and gives Thai massages through her Toronto business Om at Home Yoga. When she's tuckered out, she takes up the sport of sleeping.
