Electric Man : Stan Woodman
What makes someone electric?
In today’s episode we’re going to find out.
Stan Woodman joins us in conversation. He has that beautiful esprit de corps that comes from overcoming adversity with a team in fellowship, even in the face of great tragedy there's still Love in the group.
Good parenting does that.
Stan has a confidence in him that he is loved and will always be loved. Not in an arrogant way whatsoever, but as a man who loves all beings and naturally sees Love within them.
Not many men grow up saying that what they want most from the world is to be a dad.
This is a testament to his gentle and kind nature.
As a very young man, Stan conceived a daughter, who was given up for adoption. His story is so inspiring, in that, over the years that followed, a relationship developed between them and she became very much a part of his life.
Stan was once Beryl Bender Birch’s apprentice and assisted her as a travelling teacher. This was his introduction to the world of yoga. A beginning only imagined by most of us!
Some people say that we, as Westerners, will never grow to be more than gym teachers in the field of yoga; But, even with that, this practice somehow does work, in a spiritual way, to make us more compassionate and integrated. If we do the work.
Stan Woodman is a Level 2 Authorized Ashtanga Yoga teacher of the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI) in Mysore, India, and owner of The Yoga Shala in Ridgefield, Connecticut. He took his first yoga class in 1991 and began a dedicated Ashtanga practice in 1997. Having first met Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in NYC 2001, Stan eventually went to the source in Mysore, India in 2003 to study with Guruji. Since then, he has made several trips to the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute, studying with its founder until his death in 2009 and eventually with Jois's heir and grandson, Sharath Jois.
In addition to his work as a yoga teacher, Stan's education includes intensive coursework with special needs children through the Son-Rise Program at The Autism Treatment Center of America. Stan has served on the board of directors of several not-for-profits including Odanadi and The Give Back Yoga Foundation for empowering individuals through the gift of yoga. He also works closely with Operation Shanti in Mysore to help raise funding for their programs.
An avid extreme sports enthusiast, Stan loves a good challenge, especially when snowboarding or skateboarding. He has been featured in numerous magazines including Fitness, More, and Organic Spa.
“I want to be a kinder, more loving, compassionate human, so this is why I do and will continue to practice and teach Ashtanga Yoga. I have great respect for all the teachers of this lineage who have come before me, stand alongside me, and have yet to come."
- Stan Woodman
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The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case.
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Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.”
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