Meet the Teachers: Lumi Loves Rory Hopkins
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Even though we are greeted by him each and every time we walk up the stairs of 121 King Street, (ever noticed that peaceful yogi sitting deep in meditation on the reception wall?), we thought we ought to dig a little deeper and find out a bit more about the mysterious man beyond the canvas…
Rory, what does yoga mean to you?
This question has been asked of me many times in the last year as I have begun to share more and more with people about my own exploration and love of yoga. I struggle to answer succinctly because for me yoga is both a mental and spiritual process or journey and also a physical activity. My understanding of yoga is also constantly evolving as I grow in my own practice and now even more as I grow as a teacher. Yoga, for me, is an opportunity to disconnect from my mind and take a moment to reflect, meditate on being present and showing up, fully, in that moment. It is a place where I can work on what is presenting itself in the moment; using the breath to find that release and then clear my energy to make space for something new in my life. Yoga is also a physical exploration of the body; its limits; its strength. It is the sweat, the breath, the muscles and the soft flowing movement of the transitions which create that moving meditation. Over time the practice evolves and you begin to evolve with it. The practice forces you to evaluate many aspects of your life including diet; what you eat; what you drink, lifestyle, work/life balances and quality of life in all aspects of being. The transformation changes your destructive patterns and the mind is infused with life and equanimity. Baron Baptiste states that
‘We soak up life like a sponge,
holding tensions, fears and anxieties in our system’
Yoga squeezes you from the inside out, bringing up everything that has been pushed down deep inside. All the fear, frustration, anxiety, toxins are exposed and released allowing the body to find the opportunity for something new and a freshness in mind and spirit. Yoga is a lifelong dedication to transformation, inquiry and commitment to growth.
Crow Pose or Revolving Triangle?
Definitely Crow Pose! I love any opportunity I can get to get into an arm balance. For me they are the perfect symbol of tension and release. Crow Pose is a pose in which while you are hugging in every muscle, fibre and bone to the centre of your body. You have to find the expression of lightness and release in order to become comfortable and relaxed in the pose.
Tadasana or Savasana?
Tadasana – it is the root pose of all poses. It is the pose in which you can find your True North alignment for all the other poses. It is a great pose for improving your posture, strengthening your thighs, knees and ankles as well as firm those all important abs and buttocks. It may seem like you are just standing there, but when done correctly and by bringing the body into alignment it is hard work.
Are you a morning or a night person?
I am definitely a morning person. The day starts as soon as the sun rises (and in winter long before the sun rises).
What does your typical day look like?
The day usually starts around 5am. I start the day with a lemon, agave syrup and apple vinegar shot before sitting quietly and meditating for 20-30minutes depending on what is going on that day. Thereafter I will take a short practice and move my body through a few sun salutations and poses or if the time allows a full practice. For me, this is an incredible way to start the day and the spring and autumn are amazing times to have an early morning practice as the sun is usually rising just at the same time. Then it is breakfast smoothie time (see below) before I head off to the office. If I do not have to go into the office (which happens once or twice during the week) then I will take a mid day practice and thereafter hang out at the Retreat Cafe; working from there. I find it an incredible opportunity to spend time with creative, imaginative people who are all looking to find their exceeding self. Also they make amazing smoothies, juices and cakes! After work I always find the opportunity for an evening practice if I am not teaching a class followed by another juice or smoothie before I head home to finish the day. Some reading and listening to music tends to ends the day.
What’s your favourite meal of the day?
My Amazing Breakfast Power Smoothie –
- Almond Milk
- Banana
- Almond Butter
- Agave Syrup
- Cacao Nibs
- Cashews
- Maca
- Goji berries
- Whey protein
Love it!
What would your epitaph say?
Today is a good day to die.
You can also catch Rory in action at Lumi every Saturday morning at 8:30am and throughout the week. Check out our weekly schedule to sign up for his next class: http://bit.ly/1KDCfVI