bryan kest
Yoga on Yamhill in Portland Oregon: Donation Only Center
Yoga on Yamhill, a newly opened yoga center in Portland, Oregon celebrated its grand opening on December 7, 2010. It's founder Paul Terrell is a student of world-renowned yogi Bryan Kest.
Paul, known to his friends as PJ, is an Army veteran who served in Desert Storm as a youngster. After earning a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq, PJ came back home and began his journey toward yoga. In 2001, he and a good friend gave Bryan Kest's Power Yoga studio in Santa Monica, California a whirl. He walked into the studio with shorts and a t-shirt -- no yoga mat, no water, no expectations.
Not knowing what he was in for, or that his introduction to yoga would lead him to building his life around the practice, PJ dove into his first class following the instruction of Kest, moving from pose to pose with sweat pouring from his body. After class, he sat on his rented mat in a delicious daze -- thankful for his first yoga experience.
Fast forward to 2010 -- PJ has entered into his calling as a yoga instructor. Following the lead of Kest, from whom he gained his yoga certification in 2009, he has chosen to follow the Donation Only model so that yoga can be available to all people, regardless of their financial situations. While there are no set fees for classes, it is important for the practitioner to know that their donations will keep the lights on and provide food for its instructors. The concept surrounds the act of intentional giving which fuels a healthy and rich yoga community.
Classes are available Monday-Sunday and offer a variety of yoga styles and levels. For more information and Yoga on Yamhill's schedule, visit www.yogaonyamhill.com. Suggested donations are between $8 & $12.
My Yoga Yogi
My Yoga Yogi
teaches simplicity
to not be afraid to be me
"Any Ignoramus can dig himself deeper," says he.
Breath deep
let troubles bounce off
in the present is where life's at
wanta wear a peace hat
feel a smile radiate from my soul
warm the world
bubble a little laughter
I want to travel the earth
be part of life's process
breathe deep, breathe deeper
Yesterday,
my yoga yogi
taught me reverence...
I looked up from my blue mat,
he said,
"namaste"
bowed his head,
held chin to chest,
gave thanks
One deep inhale
and an exhale
true appreciation
grace...
Poem written a few years ago while practicing with my first yoga instructor Bryan Kest at his power yoga studio in Santa Monica. His classes are amazing! I highly recommend them to anyone seeking boldness.
- Jen of Project Bebold
P.S. Namaste means:
"I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells.
I honor the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light, and of peace.
When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are one."