The Happiness of Yoga
Do you yearn for lasting happiness? Join yoga teachers and authors Mary Taylor and Richard Freeman as they explore the root causes of suffering and how to negotiate a path toward awakening and the integration of your physical body, heart, and mind. The shore of joy and happiness is waiting. Richard and Mary are the authors of the book that is being discussed on this program, Feeling Happy: The Yoga of Body, Heart and Mind
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Richard Freeman & Mary Taylor
Richard Freeman has been a student of yoga since 1968. He spent nine years in Asia studying yoga asana, pranayama, Sufism, Sanskrit language, and Indian philosophy. He has studied asana with B.K.S. Iyengar and K. Pattabhi Jois and has worked with numerous Buddhist teachers to draw insights into the interfacing of Buddhism and yoga as a reflection of life. Richard’s metaphorical, humorous, teaching style appeals to students of many backgrounds and nationalities.
Mary Taylor began studying yoga in 1971 and her studies have grown into a deep interest into how yoga asana, meditation and the interfacing of yoga with Buddhism combine to support us through complex modern times. Her main asana practice is in the internal forms of the ashtanga vinyasa tradition. She is part of the core faculty of the Being with Dying program at Upaya Zen Center and the senior faculty for the UZIT training program, both of which apply contemplative practices to improved and sustainable wellness within medical settings.
THE YOGA HOUR TEAM COMMENTS: Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor remind us of this truth, that we all want to be happy. But how do we find true happiness? In the conversation with Dr. Trujillo, we are presented with significant ways we can touch into happiness, which is what we are. With the breath, we can be in that perfect place of “ah” and find inside of us, our happiness. That present moment awareness experienced in the body, mind and breath will also bring us to the deeper meaning and purpose of our lives: to share our innate goodness with others, giving kindness and generosity. This reminds us of what it is to be happy.
DR. TRUJILLO’S COMMENTS: It was a joy to discuss lasting happiness with Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor. Their book, Feeling Happy: The Yoga of Body, Heart and Mind tells us about the happiness of the soul, and how we can experience more of that happiness in our lives. As we discussed, looking outside of ourselves for happiness results in the experience with which we are all so familiar: alternating waves of happiness and unhappiness. They write: “The underlying premise of this book is that happiness isn’t something you do; it’s something you are.” As Richard and Mary point out, in order to remain connected to this highest happiness, we need to be fully present in the moment. A meditation practice is a wonderful tool to help us to achieve this presence awareness.