Greg Meredith: I find my whole world transforming…

A dedicated student in our morning Ashtanga Mysore program with Zachary Hitchcock, Greg Meredith offers his reflections on yoga in his life...

My sciatic problem was at its worst ever this last summer. The sciatic pain was a spear piercing my lower back and exiting my abdomen, leaving my arms and legs numb. Sport-related injuries compounded with years of heavy physical work in the motion picture industry and construction were the obvious cause of constant pain somewhere in my body.

Sport-related injuries are many, from 36 years of having a super active lifestyle including 36 years of surfing, bodysurfing, bodyboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing, hiking, biking, soccer, baseball, swimming, judo, jiu jitsu, and skateboarding. Broken ribs, sore joints, torn muscles, and two near death experiences are the results of a lifetime of extreme thrill seeking. My whole body was uncomfortable, especially sleeping. No amount of stretching, chiropractic work or massage seemed to relieve my condition. Despite the pain, I didn’t want pain relieving drugs (even aspirin), nor did I want X-rays or to be operated on. Prolonged discomfort definitely had a negative effect on my mood and my self image. For years, I accepted pain as a normal condition of aging.

A friend opening a yoga studio asked me to install tile in the bathroom in exchange for yoga classes. After completion of the bathroom, the studio opened and I took my first ever Ashtanga Yoga class from Zachary Hitchcock. During the first lesson I felt instant sciatic relief so I decided to practice daily. Being an avid sports enthusiast I realize that to succeed in anything takes total immersion of energy and since that first lesson, I have practiced Ashtanga Yoga one to two hours a day for six days a week for almost eight months without fail. It is exciting and challenging being a beginner at yoga.

I attend Zachary Hitchcock’s class at Yoga Hawaii because Zach acts as a teacher and a personal trainer to each of his students. His understanding of yoga and sage advice has helped many discover the power of Ashtanga Yoga. I am constantly amazed and inspired by the progress of fellow practitioners.

Initially, I was looking for a little sciatic pain relief having no real idea of the the power of yoga. I enjoy yoga practice and the gentle philosophy that comes with it. In the short time of practicing asanas, reading a four-foot- high stack of books about yoga, and with the guidance of great teaching, I am intrigued by the fact that yoga has been passed down through thousands of years by guru to student, not only preserving ancient practices, but also spreading the knowledge throughout the world.

I find my whole world transforming though it seems that friends and family notice changes before I do. Perhaps bound by my old self image of acceptance of my aging body. The comments are many: “I hardly recognized you.” “You look younger.” “You seem more relaxed.” “Your belly is gone.” My pants were literally falling off, having lost three inches around my waist and nearly all body fat. Stiff joints and muscles especially in my lower back are now more limber than I can ever remember. Overall, my entire body feels stronger, more balanced and more flexible than ever. Now able to relax comfortably, I sleep more soundly, wake up happier and my family says that I no longer snore.

Despite so many physical benefits of my very brief yoga experience, the spiritual side of practice has helped me the most. Through practice of Ashtanga, I am learning how to relax, slow down, reflect, breathe and meditate. Being such a hyper-active person physically, mentally and emotionally, meditation through yoga has shown me a starting place. A focus point and center of calm that exists in everyone that can be called upon at any time, with practice.

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